Rajani Shetty, a compassionate soul from Mangaluru, Karnataka, has become a lifeline for hundreds of abandoned stray dogs, offering them food, shelter, and care.
On this Women’s Day, we spotlight her extraordinary journey of selfless service, dedicating her life to nurturing forsaken animals.
Residing in a modest rented house in Ballal Bagh, Rajani has taken in over 60 stray dogs, but her efforts extend far beyond her home. Every day, she feeds nearly 700 street dogs across the city, ensuring they never go hungry.
“Dogs are voiceless creatures that rely on human kindness,” she shares. “I make sure to reach places where strays struggle to find food.”
Her daily routine is both exhausting and heartwarming. She prepares 60 kg of rice mixed with chicken scraps, carefully adding turmeric and salt, before serving it to hundreds of grateful animals.
Rajani’s compassion took root in Mumbai during childhood. After moving to Mangaluru post-marriage, she turned her passion into a lifelong mission, starting with feeding a few strays, which gradually became her full-time calling, costing around ₹5,000 daily.
Her heroism goes beyond food—she has personally descended into wells 161 times to rescue animals using just a rope. She has saved countless dogs, cats, and birds from peril, treating their injuries with care at home.
Supported by her auto-rickshaw driver husband and three animal-loving children, she receives occasional donations from kind-hearted locals.
“Before COVID, I cared for 200 strays; now it’s 700. I will continue as long as I can,” she affirms.
Through her unwavering dedication, Rajani Shetty proves how a single person’s compassion can transform a community.
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