The volunteers and staff who are the heart and soul of our animal rescue partner IDA India have been saving the lives of homeless dogs and cats for years and while they do get funding from the government, it doesn’t cover what they spend — especially when it comes to caring for cats in need.  

On any given day, there are around 150 cats at IDA India’s Deonar Center in Mumbai alone, who may come in for any number of reasons. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai provides Rs 600 (less than $10 USD) for male cats and Rs 800 (exactly $10 USD) for females for animal birth control (ABC).

However, the total spent on providing ABC for a single cat is nearly three times that amount, which includes surgery and six days of post-operative care, and the funding doesn’t cover other types of treatment cats may need, which are often even more costly. The MCGM had also fallen behind on reimbursements, leaving IDA India to cover these expenses up front, making donations critical to support their work.

Between 2020 and 2021, 1,386 cats were spayed or neutered in Mumbai alone. Donations of $25 USD are requested from people who bring in cats for help, but if they can’t afford it the cats are helped for free.

Much of what is accomplished there is due to the generosity of caring people like you, who want to ensure these animals are treated with compassion and are able to get the help they desperately need. Also thanks to your support, we’ll soon also be sending them a few humane traps to help catch unsocialized free-roaming cats and see that they receive veterinary care along with being spayed or neutered.

You can help support this lifesaving work by making a donation.