It is often said that dogs are man’s best friends, but not many take it to heart. Jasjit Purewal does not think of dogs as just friends, but children.
The founder of Indigree, she is an inspiring figure who has taken it upon herself to feed hundreds of dogs on Delhi’s streets and help them get adopted into loving families.
Me: It’s great to know that someone out there is doing so much for the welfare of dogs that most people don’t usually care.
Jasjit: I don’t entirely agree with that. Of course, some people sometimes treat dogs with indifference or cruelty, but I have also noticed, especially in Delhi, that there is a healthy network of people willing to help. And with the advent of social media, there is a lot of connectivity. People are helping in their small ways, whether it is providing shelter or food.
And even though earlier, things had been more negative. Now, things have started changing. I think that there are much more people who care. We get a lot of community support from the dhaba owners, the rickshaw pullers, the garbage pickers and more such ordinary people.
Me (citing my pre-interview research): I read about laws protecting pet and street animals from maiming and killing in the Indian Penal Code. But are these rules properly implemented if a FIR was to be filed?
Jasjit: The law has made provisions for the protection of animals. However, the amount of fine to be paid for maiming or killing a street dog is quite small and therefore, these laws are unable to keep such activities in check.
And most people are unaware that such laws even exist. But things are improving, and maybe the newer generations like you will bring about these changes because yet, we have not learned to protect the rights of all life forms.
Me: Tell me about your first dog?
Jasjit: When I was born, which was more than fifty years ago, there was a dog at our house. I spent all my time with him; he became my pal and ally. He was wonderful, a ball of energy, always running around the house. He was an Indian breed. He died at the age of fifteen. I must have been fourteen at the time. I remember his eyes and how happy he always was to see me. And after him, we always had pets in the house.
Me: So how did you come to decide that you wanted to dedicate your time to caring for dogs and starting an NGO?
Jasjit: There was no poetic dedication as such (chuckles softly). I always tried to help animals. Especially the dogs I saw in my colony, I would feed them as often as I could, and provide them with simple first aid when required. I sometimes took in puppies to care for them and tried to get them adopted, and that’s how it all began.
Then a friend of mine came here from abroad and joined me. We got trained in administering injections and how to diagnose. And then suddenly, it became huge. So I didn’t start off thinking that it was going to be like this. But once it started, there was no stopping it.
It is a huge responsibility. Even right now, I have eleven dogs in my house, and we have an ambulance as well so that we can rescue dogs. And all this also had a sort of financial burden because we were burning through our savings and none of us could have another job because this took so much of our time. So we made it into an NGO to strat getting donations to run our work properly.
It’s all about a little bit of love, Vasudha.
Me (taking forward what Jasjit talked about): But then a little bit of love is enough to make a difference, I guess.
Jasjit: Well, being human and being at the top of the chain of species, I think we should think of ourselves as the Guardian of the universe. I mean, we have done so much to destroy it and to affect the survival of so many creatures that we owe it and have a moral responsibility.
Me: What was your best story so far?
(At this point in the interview, we are interrupted by a few barks at Jasjit’s end. She apologizes to me, and I can hear her calmly tell her dogs to “Shut up, all of you.”)
Jasjit: What was my best story? Oh, I don’t know Vasudha, there are so many. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. There have been some wonderful adoptions and rescues. We keep getting pictures and updates from their owners now, and it feels quite wonderful. I really couldn’t pick one fond memory.
Me: What was your time like, rescuing a dog?
Jasjit: We once rescued a very handsome lab. He later died because he had developed a lot of health issues. But we rescued him from a Gurjar village near the outskirts of Delhi. We had to tangle with these male Gurjars who were trying to hide him from us, and we were just three women – me, my colleague and a lawyer. And one of these people smashed the window of my car. They went and got the police, and the police were concerned about our safety, but I told them that my top priority was the safety of the dog.
I guess love makes you fearless.
Me: Do you rescue pedigrees as well?
Jasjit: I have a beautiful white Labrador that we saved thirteen years ago. He is quite old and sick now. We save quite a lot of pedigrees because people often abandon them and they do not have the same survival skills as the Indian breeds and therefore, often end up dying if not rescued.
Me: What sort of challenges have you faced while taking care of so many dogs?
Jasjit: The first challenge would be the finances. We have more and more rescued dogs coming in, and with the feeding, we spend quite a bit every month.
Second is finding people to work with you. Nobody wants to do this job.
Me: So do you not get enough volunteers for this work?
Jasjit: Volunteers are terrible. We don’t like taking them on. They don’t have discipline; they don’t commit. They usually don’t have a sense of responsibility. So it is proper staff that we look for. To properly train them to fulfill all the needs of our dogs.
Me: If dogs could talk, what do you think they’d tell the world?
Jasjit: That human beings need to get their act together. They are completely messed up. Because if you allow your dog to be your teacher, it can teach you everything you need to know – from patience to learn to be in the moment, being broken, beaten and abandoned but somehow still learning to trust again, to look for love and give love, with absolute loyalty.
Jasjit’s words remind me of one of my favorite books, ‘Marley and Me’ and one of the most beautiful quotes in it, which goes:
“A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart, and he will give you his.”
And if you are looking to get such affection and joy in your life, Jasjit is currently looking to arrange the adoptions of two beautiful Indian puppies, by the name of Chia and Guru.
This is Guru. He is 8-weeks old and needs a forever home. Healthy, dewormed, vaccinated, and loving.
And this is Chia. She is a three-months-old pooch, healthy, vaccinated, and adorable. Needs a loving family.