Animal Welfare in India: The Role of NGOs, Activists, and You

• Ragini
• 31 Jul, 2025
• 0Mins

In a country as diverse and vibrant as India, animals play a vital role in the ecosystem and society. Yet, many animals—especially street dogs, cats, and wildlife—continue to suffer due to neglect, abuse, and habitat destruction. That’s where animal welfare NGOs come in—offering a lifeline to voiceless beings in distress.

At Senemi Foundation, we believe in nurturing empathy not only for humans but also for animals. This blog explores the urgent need for animal welfare, the incredible organizations making a difference, and how you can help.

What is Animal Welfare?

Animal welfare refers to the ethical responsibility of treating animals with care, compassion, and dignity. It means ensuring animals have access to food, clean water, shelter, medical treatment, and a life free from abuse and fear. Animal welfare goes hand-in-hand with animal rights, which advocate for animals to live freely and without exploitation.

In India, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1960) forms the legal backbone of animal protection, further supported by wildlife NGOs and local animal welfare organizations.

The Importance of Animal Welfare NGOs

Animal welfare NGOs in India act as guardians for voiceless animals. They rescue street animals, run sterilization drives, provide medical care, and rehabilitate wildlife. Some even fight legal battles to ensure justice for abused animals.

Here’s how these organizations make a difference:

• Rescue operations for injured, abused, or abandoned animals

• Sterilization and vaccination drives to control stray populations

• Animal shelters for long-term care and adoption

• Legal advocacy for stronger animal protection laws

• Public awareness campaigns to promote kindness towards animals

NGO for Street Dogs and Cats

India has an estimated 35–40 million stray dogs and millions of community cats. Many suffer from diseases, malnutrition, and road accidents. Several NGOs for stray dogs and NGOs for cats across India work relentlessly to provide:

• Emergency rescues

• ABC (Animal Birth Control) programs

• Rabies vaccination

• Adoption and foster care

• Feeding programs during heat waves, monsoons, or lockdowns

At Senemi Foundation, we admire the courage of these frontline workers who treat every life as sacred.

How to Find the Nearest Animal Rescue Centre

If you are searching for a nearest animal rescue centre, try looking up:

• Animal welfare organisations near me

• Animal rescue NGO near me

• Animal protection organizations near me

• NGO near me for animals

Google, JustDial, and Instagram often list verified animal NGOs and helpline numbers in your city.

Top Animal Welfare Organisations in India

Here’s a list of animal welfare organisations in India that are actively saving lives:

1. People for Animals (PFA) – Founded by Maneka Gandhi, operates across 26+ Indian states.

2. Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) – Protects endangered species and habitats.

3. Blue Cross of India (Chennai) – Among the oldest animal charities in Asia.

4. Friendicoes SECA (Delhi NCR) – Operates an animal hospital, adoption center, and ambulance services.

5. RESQ Charitable Trust (Pune) – Offers rescue, rehabilitation, and education.

6. Animal Aid Unlimited (Udaipur) – Rescues street animals and offers world-class medical care.

7. Humane Society International – India – Fights cruelty through policy reform, education, and direct care.

If asked to “name the organization which is working for welfare of animals,” these names are excellent examples.

Animal Conservation Organizations

Protecting wildlife is crucial for a balanced environment. Animal conservation organisations in India work to:

• Rescue animals from poachers and illegal trade

• Protect habitats

• Rehabilitate injured or orphaned wild animals

• Educate communities

Some notable organizations include:

• Wildlife SOS – Known for rescuing dancing bears, elephants, and reptiles

• WWF India – Runs conservation programs for tigers, elephants, and rivers

• WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) – Focuses on endangered species, poaching prevention, and policy advocacy

Animal Rights Activists in India

India has a growing network of animal rights activists and compassionate citizens advocating for animal welfare. Some leading figures include:

• Maneka Gandhi – Politician and founder of PFA

• Alokparna Sengupta – HSI/India, driving reforms in animal agriculture and testing

• Shravan Krishnan – Chennai-based activist and rescuer

These activists not only rescue animals but also push for systemic policy changes to protect them.

How You Can Contribute

Helping animals doesn’t require you to run an NGO. You can make a real impact through small, consistent actions:

1. Donate

Support animal charities with regular donations. It helps cover food, treatment, and shelter expenses.

2. Volunteer

Spend weekends at a local shelter or help organize awareness events.

3. Adopt, Don’t Shop

Adopting a stray saves two lives—the one you take home and the one that takes its place in the shelter.

4. Foster Animals

Give temporary shelter to animals awaiting adoption.

5. Feed and Care

Provide clean water, food, and medical aid to animals in your area.

6. Report Cruelty

Use platforms like People For Animals or Karuna Foundation to report abuse.

Animal Protection in India: Laws & Gaps

India’s animal protection laws include:

• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

• Transport of Animals Rules

• Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Rules, 2001

While these laws exist, implementation remains weak. That’s why animal welfare associations and animal protection organizations in India are pushing for reforms like stricter penalties and better infrastructure.

Role of Senemi Foundation

At Senemi Foundation, we envision a world where every life—human or animal—has value and dignity. Our mission includes supporting:

• Collaborations with local animal NGOs

• Awareness programs in schools and colleges

• Emergency support to rescue animals in distress

• Promotion of plant-based lifestyles and sustainable practices

If you are an animal lover or want to volunteer, we welcome you to join our network of changemakers.

Final Thoughts

Animals bring joy, balance, and meaning to our lives. Yet they remain one of the most vulnerable groups in our society. Through the combined efforts of animal NGOs, activists, and informed citizens like you, we can build a future where cruelty is replaced by compassion.

At Senemi Foundation, we urge everyone to stand up for animals, amplify the work of local NGOs, and promote humane living. Whether it’s a wounded dog, a starving cow, or a trapped wild bird—every act of kindness counts.

Let’s be their voice. Let’s save lives—one paw at a time.