UJWALA CHINTALA

I m Ujwala Chintala. I was born and raised in India for the first 23 years of my life.

Founder and President of Stray Animal Foundation of India, Former Secretary of Poochies Pet Rescue.

Like many Indians, I grew up immune to the suffering of stray dogs. In a country where suffering smacks you in the face daily, sometimes it is easier to look the other way.

In India, the plight of stray animals is often overlooked. The streets are filled with dogs that face countless hardships, including hunger, illness, and abuse. The casual indifference towards their suffering is a cultural norm that many people grow up with, leading to a lack of awareness about their needs. For instance, in urban areas, stray dogs often get into conflicts with humans over food and space, resulting in tragic outcomes for the animals.

After moving to the USA and having a kids, it turned out my daughter was a big dog lover — a funny twist of fate. My daughter was always begging for a dog, but I kept shrugging it off. But then, during a trip back to India with my family, my daughter befriended a stray dog and everything changed.

The dog ended up having puppies, so my daughter began to feed the mom so she could keep her pups alive. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors were not happy about this because they did not want any more dogs in their area. They despised street dogs, and would much prefer that the dogs died on the streets. They forcefully moved the pups away from their homes. They held their standard of living over that of other beings. They couldn’t catch the mom, so they abandoned them alone on the streets.

This situation is not unique to my neighborhood. Across the country, there are numerous instances where stray animals are seen as pests rather than beings deserving of compassion. In some regions, local municipalities even have policies that encourage the removal of strays, often resulting in them being euthanized without consideration for their lives. This highlights the urgent need for education and awareness about animal welfare in India.

I searched for the puppies. The day was growing hot. I found most of the puppies within 24 hours. They were weak, and the heat of the day did not help matters. Two of the puppies died that day.

The incident haunted me for a long time, even after I returned to the USA. I realized I wanted to keep helping dogs, which led me to become a foster. My first foster experience was helping a dog named Lily and her seven puppies find homes.

My journey into fostering was also an enlightening experience. Each dog came with its own unique story and challenges. For example, one of the puppies I fostered was found abandoned in a box by the roadside. Despite being terrified and traumatized, with patience and love, he transformed into a playful and affectionate dog. My commitment to fostering continued to grow as I witnessed the profound impact it had on these animals’ lives.

This fostering experience solidified it for me. I loved helping dogs. It made me so happy. Since Lily, I’ve fostered 78 dogs as of May 2024: Moms, puppies, paralyzed, orphaned underage puppies, injured dogs, and dogs needing rescue from a hurricane.

Fostering not only helped those dogs find loving homes but it also enriched my life. Each successful placement brought a sense of fulfillment that words cannot capture. Moreover, networking with other foster parents and rescue organizations opened my eyes to the broader community working tirelessly for animal welfare. This network has been instrumental in sharing resources and strategies for more effective rescues and adoptions.

A few years after fostering, on another trip to Hyderabad, India, I witnessed firsthand animal cruelty. I realized street animals in India need a lot of help. I decided to work at a nonprofit.