On a humid evening in Bengaluru, a brown, wiry dog curls up beside the gate of an apartment complex. He is neither rare nor remarkable in the way pedigree dogs are often described. 

Yet, over weeks, residents begin to notice the way he waits for children returning from school, how he follows the watchman on his nightly rounds, how he has learnt to fetch the old lady’s bag when she comes back from the market.

For millions of India’s street animals, this is where the story usually ends.

Official data from India

India has an estimated 62 million free-roaming dogs, one of the largest such populations globally. In cities like Delhi alone, there are roughly one million stray dogs, but fewer than 20 facilities available to house them, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The latest official estimate also suggests that India is home to around 9.1 million stray cats.

India is home to one of the world’s largest populations of stray animals. Every day, millions of dogs and cats navigate streets, construction sites, and marketplaces, often relying on scraps and sporadic human kindness.

Organisations like the Worldwide Veterinary Service have long pointed to a cycle that begins far from the street. Backyard breeders and unregulated puppy farms continue to supply a steady demand for pedigree animals. Many of these facilities operate in poor conditions, where animals are bred repeatedly with little regard for their health.

Adoption disrupts this cycle.

By bringing home an indie dog or a rescued animal, families are stepping out of a supply chain that often prioritises profit over welfare. 

Many people may prefer pedigree dogs, and personal choice in itself isn’t the issue; the real concern lies in the ethics behind how these animals are bred and sourced.

Despite growing demand, ethical breeding in India remains unregulated, leaving many buyers unaware that they may be inadvertently supporting puppy mills where animals are kept in poor conditions. 

This often leads to pets developing long-term health complications and behavioural issues. At the same time, several popular exotic breeds are not suited to India’s climate, requiring controlled environments and significantly higher maintenance, factors that are often overlooked at the time of purchase.

There is, perhaps, no argument more compelling than this. Adoption saves a life.

Rescue workers often describe dogs or cats that arrive at shelters as malnourished, injured, or deeply anxious.

For many indie animals, the past is marked by uncertainty. Some were abandoned pets, discarded when they grew too large or inconvenient. Others have spent their entire lives navigating traffic, hunger, and hostility.

Adoption interrupts that very trajectory. And in doing so, it allows an animal to become something it was always capable of being, a companion.

Why is adopting an Indie a good option?

Indie dogs and cats, having evolved in local conditions, are often better adapted to India’s climate. They tend to be resilient, with........

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