The Animal Care Trust (ACT) has seen a significant uptick in adoptions of desi pets, thanks to adoption camps held in rural areas near Mangaluru. These efforts resulted in an average of 600 adoptions annually and approximately 160 animal rescues per month. However, the increasing rate of rescues underscores the growing issue of animal abandonment, especially in busy marketplaces.

ACT trustee Suma Nayak shared that recent camps in areas like Ujire have been fruitful, with one event finding homes for 23 kittens and 23 puppies. Yet, she noted that the more animals are rescued, the more are abandoned. Feeding activities by volunteers in public spaces might inadvertently contribute to this trend.

ACT’s initiatives include free spaying and neutering camps and critical care for animals in dire conditions, such as old, blind, or severely injured strays. Nayak emphasized the importance of public sensitivity, urging responsible pet ownership through vaccination and sterilization. She called for a shift in mindset, advocating for adoption over shopping for pets.

Meanwhile, Tauseef Ahmed, founder of Mr. Rescuer, highlighted his efforts, managing over 2,100 cases this year, including rescues, feeding, and medical treatments. Despite raising ₹3.6 lakh, expenses reached ₹11.8 lakh, largely due to food and medical supplies for 300 street animals. Ahmed also voiced the need for a pet crematorium, a long-overdue facility sought by many pet owners.