As monsoon clouds roll in and rain lashes across Indian cities, a hidden crisis unfolds — one not often spoken of in headlines but evident on our streets. Soaked, shivering, and abandoned, countless dogs and cats roam around, confused and heartbroken. India’s pet abandonment crisis worsens drastically during the rainy season, bringing attention to the need for urgent reforms in how we view pet parenting.
In recent months, Pune has emerged as a focal point for this heartbreaking phenomenon, with animal rescuers and NGOs sounding the alarm. But this isn’t just a Pune problem. From Delhi to Bengaluru, Mumbai to Chennai, this is a national crisis. And it’s not new — it's a growing symptom of a culture that often prioritizes convenience over compassion.
Table of contents [Show]
- The Rise in Pet Abandonment During Monsoon
- The Psychological Toll on Pets
- India’s Alarming Pet Homelessness Numbers
- Legal Protection Exists — But Is It Enforced?
- Shelters and Rescuers Are Overwhelmed
- Encouraging Initiatives That Offer Hope
- What Responsible Pet Parenting Truly Means
- How India Can Improve: Solutions and Policy Recommendations
- Our Streets Are Not Their Homes
The Rise in Pet Abandonment During Monsoon
Monsoons, which should be a season of comfort and bonding indoors, are ironically the most brutal for pets that have been abandoned. According to multiple rescuers, shelters witness a sharp spike in abandonment cases during this time. Why?
- Health Issues Escalate: Ticks, skin infections, and fungal issues become common in pets during wet weather. When medical care becomes expensive or inconvenient, many owners resort to the cruel option of abandonment.
- Vet Costs and Financial Strain: Post-COVID inflation and economic uncertainty have increased veterinary and grooming costs. Unfortunately, many pet parents underestimate these responsibilities at the time of adoption.
- Impulse Lockdown Adoptions: The pandemic saw a surge in pet adoptions, especially dogs. People sought companionship while isolated. But many didn’t plan for long-term care, leading to large-scale post-pandemic abandonment.
- Housing and Relocation Issues: The rental market still remains highly unaccommodating to pet parents. Many landlords prohibit pets, pushing families to choose between home and their furry friends — with pets often losing out.
The Psychological Toll on Pets
Abandonment is not just a physical trauma for pets; it is a deep emotional wound. Dogs, especially, form secure attachments to their human families. According to Richa Singh Chowdhury, founder of Bowsome Senior Dog India Foundation, the trauma of being suddenly left behind causes long-term anxiety, depression, and behaviour issues in animals.
Senior pets and disabled animals suffer the most. They are less likely to be adopted again and have a lower chance of surviving on the streets. Once inside a home, pets forget how to fend for themselves — they do not recognize vehicles, street aggression, or starvation.
India’s Alarming Pet Homelessness Numbers
India is home to more than 80 million homeless cats and dogs, the highest in the world according to a 2021 Mars Petcare report. Despite increasing pet ownership among urban millennial and Gen Z households, abandonment rates remain extremely high.
India lacks a national pet registry or adoption regulation policy, which allows for unchecked adoptions and irresponsible breeding. Unscrupulous breeders often sell pets without verifying the owner’s ability or willingness to provide lifelong care. And when owners get overwhelmed, there's no accountability mechanism — abandonment becomes the easiest exit.
Legal Protection Exists — But Is It Enforced?
Legally, abandonment and cruelty towards animals are punishable under India’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Section 325). However, the law is rarely enforced. FIRs are not registered in most cases. Police departments are either unaware of the law or choose to turn a blind eye. Meanwhile, countless animals continue to suffer silently.
What’s missing? Enforcement, awareness, and reform.
Shelters and Rescuers Are Overwhelmed
From local shelters to community-driven rescue operations, animal welfare units are operating at full capacity — and often underfunded. During the monsoon season, many shelters take in 10 to 15 new animals every day. Most of them are sick, injured, or abandoned in public parks, parking lots, or gated societies.
Monsoon floods and water-logged streets make survival even harder for these abandoned animals. Many drown or get injured. Others starve or fall sick due to prolonged exposure and lack of shelter.
Encouraging Initiatives That Offer Hope
Despite the gloom, hope persists. Initiatives like Paw Protecc, a collaboration between Mars Petcare India and Swiggy Instamart, aim to protect stray animals by setting up waterproof shelters and offering food distribution programs during the monsoons.
In cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai, local communities have come together to foster and rehome animals. Campaigns on Instagram and WhatsApp are helping to match abandoned animals with compassionate homes.
But these are still stop-gap efforts. We need systemic change — starting with education, regulation, and most importantly, responsibility.
What Responsible Pet Parenting Truly Means
If you're considering bringing a pet home, here's what you need to know before saying yes:
- It’s a 10–15-year commitment, not a few months of cuddles.
- Pets have physical, emotional, and medical needs that demand time, money, and patience.
- Understand breed needs. Many people adopt high-maintenance breeds like Huskies or St. Bernards — not realizing they are unsuited to Indian weather.
- Always adopt, don’t shop. And when you do, sign up for post-adoption check-ins and basic training.
- Get pet insurance. Yes, it’s available in India now and can drastically reduce the financial burden during emergencies.
How India Can Improve: Solutions and Policy Recommendations
- Mandatory Pet Registration: Just like vehicles, pets should be registered with civic authorities. This will help in tracking abandonment cases.
- Ban on Backyard Breeding: Strict regulation of pet breeders, and heavy penalties for illegal operations.
- Pet Clauses in Tenancy Agreements: Housing societies and landlords should be educated and incentivized to allow pets. Discrimination must be discouraged.
- Nationwide Awareness Campaigns: Starting in schools, pet responsibility must be taught early.
- Stronger Shelter Infrastructure: Government funding for more public animal shelters with vet care, adoption services, and rehabilitation units.
- 24x7 Helpline for Abandonment Reporting: Make reporting pet cruelty as easy and accessible as dialing 100.
Our Streets Are Not Their Homes
A pet is not a toy. It is a life. When you bring home a dog, cat, or any other companion animal, you are making a promise — a silent vow of care, love, and protection.
The next time you see an abandoned pet looking confused in the rain, remember: someone broke that promise. As a nation, we must do better. Not just for the pets we love, but for the kind of society we aspire to become — one that values empathy, responsibility, and life in all its forms.
Helpline: If you need to report a situation involving an animal in immediate danger, please call our emergency number: (0) 98201 22602 (PETA India)
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