This shelter is led by its founder Leslie who is 82 years old. He was travelling through India 11 years ago and became aware of a brutal beating cull of stray dogs due to take place in Tiruvannamalai. He felt compelled to do something. He took action. He tirelessly called everyone he ever knew and everyone he didn’t. He made so much noise, promised a solution to the local township authorities and incredibly he stopped it just in the nick of time.

He set up the sanctuary on his pension, savings and some friends donations. It has run on independent donations ever since. They have neutered and provided anti rabies vaccinations for thousands and the local people now bring him ANY injured animals.

Leslie and his trusty small team of local animal lovers go on rescues and also into schools to educate around animal welfare. For the animals that cannot live on the streets through permanent injury/disability he has created for them.... a home.

There are currently 225 dogs, 4 monkeys, a horse with her injured foal and a recent emergency addition of 38 cattle. He has no where for the cattle so is renting land until a permanent resolution can be found. This requires money and they don’t have it but if he said no, their fate would have been sealed. They were already at deaths door when Leslie took the call.

The local police begged Leslie to help after the cattle including bulls, cows and calves were found being illegally transported. There were 38 of them - horrifically limb bound and piled in a truck that legally can carry 6. No food or water. They were broken, petrified and deeply dehydrated. Now they are recovering from the trauma thanks to Leslie and Vishwa his loyal friend and right hand man.

I travelled to the shelter in March 2019. I met Leslie, Vishwa and Raja the incredible vet, along with the most compassionate handful of local animal lovers. They work there out of sheer heart. Leslie cannot afford to pay the staff much but they told me they would not want to be anywhere else.

The major concept that Leslie advocates is healing through compassion and love. These animals have known fierce hardships and many have deep trauma.

When I walked in I was overcome by the raw beauty, the soft chanting, calming incense and the sleeping restful bodies in the heavy sun. Many came to me for fusses and head kisses. One very old grey bearded gent approached on wobbling legs, I am told he will pass soon. He rested his full head and neck weight in my palm and stood that way for more than 20 minutes. He told me everything I needed to know.

I Sobbed.

It is the purest most loving place I have ever had the privilege to experience. They have nothing but they have everything. The shelter pulsates. It is palpable in your core. There is a vibration of love, a healing of souls taking place. It was truly sacred.

I felt the gentleness, the empathy, the painful injuries and the precious safety of this special space all at once.

I want to help. I need to help.

Most importantly now the shelter needs medical supplies and a bigger space to support the lucky ones already there. On sunday alone they neautered 60 street dogs. With the latest cattle edition their work cannot continue without a desperate funding injection.

I want to make that happen and I am desperately hoping with your support we can together.

This is real, I have seen it, witnessed the impact, felt the compassion they have for these beautiful creatures. They are really making a difference but desperately need money to continue to do that.

A single human being started something beautiful in this place. That tear became a rippled stream flowing forward. Thousands of lives have been saved. Enpower them to educate more, treat more, protect those that wouldn‘t survive without them.

Inspired by the power of one, lets show the power of many!

Forever grateful

Bex

http://www.arunachalasanctuary.com/index.php