A Lifeline for Animals in Crisis

Across India, thousands of animals face danger every day—from accidents and illness to neglect and abandonment. For many of them, help comes through a single phone call.

The emergency hotline run by **People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India receives more than 50,000 calls each year from people reporting animals in urgent need of help.

To respond to these situations, rescue teams based in Mumbai and Delhi operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Their teams remain on constant alert, ready to respond to emergencies involving animals in distress.

For the rescuers, every call represents a life that might otherwise be overlooked.

Dramatic Rescue Missions

Many of the cases handled by the rescue teams involve complex and unusual situations.

In one remarkable rescue, a mother cat and her kitten were discovered trapped deep inside a ventilation shaft—approximately 15 meters underground. Carefully lowering equipment into the narrow space, rescuers managed to safely retrieve both animals and bring them back to safety.

Another urgent call came from a gas station in Mumbai, where a dog had been struck by a vehicle. The team rushed to the scene, transported the injured dog to veterinary care, and helped stabilize his condition.

Some cases require specialized medical intervention. In Delhi, veterinarians performed surgery to remove a large benign tumor from a dog named Buri, giving her the chance to live comfortably again.

Rescue teams also treat hundreds of animals suffering from mange, a severe skin condition that causes intense irritation and prevents animals from resting. Nearly 500 cases of mange are treated each year through their efforts.

Other unusual rescues include kittens trapped inside car engines and dogs with plastic containers stuck around their heads—situations that prevent animals from eating or drinking and can quickly become life-threatening.

Video Thousands of Animals Saved Each Year: Inside the Tireless Rescue Work of PETA India

Protecting Wildlife and Controlling Stray Populations

Beyond emergency rescues, the organization also focuses on wildlife protection and long-term solutions to animal welfare challenges.

Rescuers have confiscated illegally kept peacocks and transferred them to rehabilitation centers where they can recover safely.

Birds injured by sharp kite strings known as “manja”—which can cause serious injuries during festivals—are also treated by the veterinary team.

To help reduce suffering among stray animals, sterilization programs are conducted regularly. In Mumbai alone, more than 850 stray cats have been sterilized, helping reduce overpopulation and competition for limited resources.

The organization also works to find new homes for animals who cannot return to the streets, including dogs, ducks, and even rescued turtles.

Standing Up Against Animal Cruelty

In addition to rescue and rehabilitation, PETA India also collaborates with law enforcement to ensure cases of animal cruelty are investigated and prosecuted.

Working alongside police authorities, the organization has helped bring charges against individuals responsible for harming animals. In one case, a man who killed a gray langur was denied bail multiple times. In other cases, investigations have led to legal action against individuals accused of severely abusing dogs.

A particularly significant step occurred in Mumbai when the first official criminal report (FIR) was filed for the practice of cutting dogs’ ears purely for cosmetic reasons—an extremely painful procedure that offers no medical benefit.

These legal efforts help create stronger protections for animals and send a clear message that cruelty will not be tolerated.

Helping Animals During the Lockdown

During the COVID-19 lockdown, many stray animals suddenly lost access to the food sources they depended on from markets and street vendors.

Recognizing the crisis, PETA India advocated for government support.

Their efforts helped persuade the Chief Minister of Maharashtra to classify feeding and assisting animals as an essential service during the lockdown period. This decision allowed volunteers and rescuers to continue providing food and care to animals even when strict restrictions were in place.

For countless animals struggling to survive during that time, the policy made a critical difference.

A Mission That Continues Every Day

From emergency rescues and medical treatments to wildlife protection and legal advocacy, the work of PETA India continues around the clock.

Each call answered by their hotline represents another opportunity to relieve suffering and give animals a chance at recovery.

The organization encourages anyone in India who sees an animal in distress to report it through their emergency hotline so that trained rescuers can respond.

Because sometimes, one phone call can mean the difference between suffering and safety—and every life deserves that chance. 🐾