Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA)

Shelter Spotlight
Visakha Society for Protection and
Care of Animals (VSPCA)


Little Lotus Hearts would like to introduce you to some amazing people and wonderful organizations that are helping animals in communities around the world.

This month's featured shelter, the Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals (VSPCA) was founded in 1996. It is located in Visakhapatnam, population 1.3 million, in the state of Andhra Pradesh on India’s east coast, facing the Bay of Bengal. Over the years, the VSPCA has amassed a long list of Achievements for animals of all kinds.

For example, they have ended poaching of dolphins in the region and significantly reduced wildlife trafficking of many species through their area. The 2004 tsunami affected nearby districts, and they lent a hand on behalf of animals. They are currently working with key players to protect sea turtles and migratory birds, among other wild creatures indigenous to the area.

The VSPCA has engaged in and won many legal battles on behalf of animals. They have successfully brought convictions against slaughterhouses, circuses, and other groups. They brought humane dog population methods to Visakhapatnam and successfully outlawed dog poisonings. They won the battle to outlaw colored plastic bags illegal, which are harmful to wildlife.

Their animal shelter welcomes all species and houses over a thousand animals: birds, horses, cattle, goats, monkeys, turtles, and yes, dogs and cats. It’s won awards as a model shelter and even an eco-friendly shelter. Their spay/neuter program for street dogs and cats is a huge success.

Little Lotus Hearts interviewed Eileen Weintraub, VSPCA’s Global Outreach Director and founder of Help Animals India, a non-profit organization based in Seattle which supports VSPCA and other animal organizations in India. Eileen will also be a speaker at the 2010 Animal Rights Conference being held in Washington D.C. from July 15-19; everyone is welcome.


VSPCA resident with sign. Eileen Weintraub Male calf rescued by VSPCA.


Q: Eileen, please tell us a little bit about animals in India.

The history of India includes a golden period for all the people and animals, where there was no killing and even hunting was not allowed. This was during Asoka reign, the great follower of Buddhism, in 300 B.C. Today things are not quite like that. Despite some of the best animal protection laws in the world and a renowned heritage of reverence for life, modern India is a country where millions of animals suffer severe neglect or abuse. Overpopulation, poverty, pollution, superstition, apathy and ignorance all contribute to their plight. In a country where human misery and impoverishment remain high, the welfare of destitute animals is a low priority. But India has hundreds of animal welfare organizations working on improving conditions for animals, including the VSPCA. It is not outside the realm of possibilities to get back to a period of peace and ahimsa for all beings!

Q: What positive changes are happening for animals in India today?

India is a definite inspiration in terms of major progress for the animals just within the last 10 years or so. With the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, Rabies is way down and there are some places in India, like Visakhapatnam where the VSPCA is, where you will not see stray puppies due to the success of this program! We have helped over 70,000 dogs this way. Many of the young generation coming up in India understands well the importance of protecting animals and the environment; we encourage children to visit our shelter and learn about animals. VSPCA has been educating the police cadets to the animal welfare laws that already exist in India. So this is a very positive step forward compared to the countries that do not yet have animal welfare laws in place.

People are amazed when they visit the VSPCA eco-shelter to see what can be done to use nature to help all the animals. We employ over 40 people who would not otherwise have work. With a salary ranging from $50- $100 a month, these people can have meaningful work and also learn about a humane lifestyle, respect and protection of all life.

Q: How popular is pet-keeping in India?

This is increasing rapidly as more Indians become middle class. One of the problems is that "purebreeds" are becoming popular but there is no infrastructure of breed rescue groups, fostering or adopting. Suitable vet care is not keeping up with the demand for pets, so many pets are being abandoned and the animal shelters are stretched beyond belief. Euthanizing unwanted pets is not an option as many groups practice ahimsa (nonharming) so there is no space in the shelters and overcrowding and misery result.



Q: I have heard that cats are considered pests and bad omens in India, not pets, really.

Yes, it is true that few keep cats as pets but it is not unheard of. In the cities they are becoming more popular but few know how to take care of them properly. Actually, because of the huge street dog population, most Indians are not familiar with cats as pets, since the cats do not have much of a chance. There are many areas in India where there are no cats and people just have not had a chance to know them…that they can be petted, that they purr, make great lap pets, can be affectionate.

Muslims will adopt cats. After all, Mohammed had a pet cat. In general, they don’t care for dogs because it is taught they are unclean. India has the third largest population of Muslims worldwide (about 170 million Muslims) and the religion is second to Hinduism in practice in India. Hindus will adopt dogs but don't generally like cats, perhaps because they are not vegetarian…although this is just a generalization.

Mostly though, pet keeping is for the urban middle to upper class and religion is not always a factor.

Q: Speaking of religion, how do India's diverse religions influence how people treat animals?

Kindness to all life is well understood in India, but even women and children's rights have a long way to go, and animals like everywhere else are often last on the list of priorities. In a country with so much poverty, people become used to seeing suffering every day in the streets, both human and animal. In the West, suffering is more hidden.

All of the major religions in India--Hindu, Muslim and Christian--have kindness stressed in all their scriptures but in practice it can be a different story. Jains are strict vegetarians and would never kill any living being, even an insect, but they do not keep pets. In rural India, animals are still part of daily life. Unfortunately, factory farming has recently come to India mostly for chickens.

VSPCA is in a legal battle with the powerful and large local Hindu temple for illegally selling unwanted male calves to Muslim butchers. Cow slaughter is illegal in most India states but non-Hindus eat beef so it is done illegally and without any humane standards, or the cows are cruelly driven by foot or by bad animal transport to other states where it is legal.

Our President, Pradeep Nath, has been threatened and bullied over this issue, unfortunately, as have other animal advocates. Cows are kept pregnant for their milk, but any resulting male calves are given away. It is very distressing to see hundreds of newborn male calves tied up outside of Hindu temples, left as offerings by farmers who do not want them.

VSPCA is teaching the public about a vegan diet as the only solution. While Indians are vegetarian, the milk in their diet causes so much suffering. VSPCA has over 650 cows in residence and cannot accept anymore, but we do try to find sanctuary for them in other "gaushalas" or cow sanctuaries.

As a Buddhist myself, I try to remember that suffering is part of life. My goal is to be able to endure this and not run away; after all, it happens whether we see it or not. It is very hard to bear witness but the Buddhist philosophy does help one realize the noble truths of suffering and impermanence. It is never easy to see animals that you can’t help, but we do everything we can, and we encourage others to be compassionate too.

Q: So what good changes are going on to benefit animals in India?

There are 300 animal welfare and animal rights groups in India. We have an Animal Welfare Board that tries its best. There is a lot of interest and work towards protecting and saving wildlife, promoting vegan and vegetarian diet, helping the street or community dogs, teaching humane concepts of respect for all life. It’s just difficult to keep up with the challenge of rapid environmental destruction, crushing pollution in the cities and climate change for over 1 billion people!

India does have some of the best animal protection laws in the world and VSPCA and other organizations work to strengthen them and make sure they are enforced.

Q: How can people donate to assist animals in India?

A dog or cat spay/neuter/vaccination is only $12 here. Donation dollars can go a long way! We are looking for people to sponsor long-term residents at our shelter for one month (just $20) up to a year at a time. We will publish donors’ names on our website when they sponsor for 6 months or more.

The VSPCA website is set up to accept Paypal donations in any currency, including US and Canadian dollars. Help Animals India, which directly supports VSPCA, is a USA 501(c)3 so American donors going through the HAI website receive a tax deduction for their donation.

To read more about VSPCA, visit their website here. You can keep up with their latest activities on Facebook. Also, you can visit Help Animals India here.

All photos copyright Help Animals India and VSPCA.