Stray animals are a huge issue in New Delhi and if it weren’t for a shelter known as Friendicoes, many would remain homeless and living a dangerous life. Friendicoes is one of the oldest shelters in the area, in business since 1979. This iconic shelter was actually started by a group of school children, held in a small shop at the time without electricity or running water.
The sad issue is that this shelter, that is crucial to the survival of so many homeless animals in New Delhi, is in danger of closure due to a lack of funding. The shelter is responsible for rehoming multitudes of homeless animals while also caring for more than 2,000 animals at any particular time across the National Capital Region. This caring facility also had a facility in South Delhi where they cared for retired police horse in a sanctuary setting. They also worked as a most successful vehicle for the spay and neuter program in order to stop the high stray animal population.
The Friendicoes Shelter has a special policy never to turn an animal away! As stated by Geeta Seshamani, co-founder and vice-president of Friendicoes, “Every morning, we find dogs abandoned at the shelter. We have to take them in.” They also have a large cat sanctuary that is one of the largest in the north, and “have over a hundred cats that come to them through injuries, street T, and accidents. It’s a place of great solace, of healing and caring for the hundreds of souls that pass through our doors.” You can read the full amazing story at http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/indias-most-beloved-animal-shelter-seca-faces-closure-how-you-can-help/
This shelter is a huge asset and benefit to the New Delhi area, even attempting to curb the issue of animal abuse, cruelty and abandonment. Now they are in financial distress to continue their work and we need to help them. Even in the face of a financial crisis and possibly closing down, Ms. Seshamani states that “We simply refuse to allow that to happen for the sake of the thousands of animals who would be left helpless and dying on the streets of Delhi. It’s been a very emotional time, to go from facing closure to receiving so many generous contributions.”
Our efforts through this petition is to urge the Commissioners involved throughout North, South and East New Delhi to help support the amazing work of this shelter through financial aid and assistance. They need to step up and keep this iconic shelter up and running and you can help in our efforts by signing and sharing this petition.
Commissioners of North, South & East Delhi Municipal Corp., Mr. P.K. Gupta, Mr. Amit Yadav, Mr. Puneet Kumar Goel – Through this petition, we are encouraging you to please offer support and financial aid to the Friendicoes Shelter. They are crucial for homeless animals throughout the area as well as doing some important work in warding off animal cruelty, abuse and abandonment through educational resources. Do not allow this facility to fall by the wayside and give up its crucial work for the many homeless animals in your area. They need your help. This is an urgent request.
