Controversy about street animals in India and other countries has had horrifying consequences for them, but effective spay/neuter programs like the one our partner IDA India runs are vital to reducing suffering. While efforts are ramping up in Mumbai for dogs, this month we’re also expanding our program for cats.

Overpopulations of unwanted animals cause a number of issues for the animals themselves, including being left to suffer serious injuries and illnesses without care, increased cruelty cases, and attacks on caring community members trying to help.

Situations can quickly escalate as we’re seeing in places like Turkiye and Morocco, where mass killings are being used to reduce numbers, but this will never be effective in the long run — it only leads to immeasurable cruelty and suffering.

In contrast, last year alone, 8,126 dogs and 2,533 cats were spayed/neutered through IDA India’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, and now we’re expanding our efforts to help cats with a new clinic in Kalyan, which is a small suburb in Mumbai.

Dr. Pranali Supekar, who is a veterinary surgeon at our Lonavala Center, has started this month and has successfully sterilized the first four cats.

It’s a small start, but even a few surgeries a week in this area will prevent numerous litters of unwanted kittens in the future.

While the government does provide some funding for the ABC program, public donations are needed to help cover the cost and ensure we’re able to run this program at a very low cost or free to ensure animals get the help they need. They also ensure we can continue providing vaccinations, life-saving surgeries, intensive care, and a permanent home for blind and disabled animals.

You can help provide a lifeline for these animals and support our work in India by making a donation.