Take a stroll around Delhi University at 9 am, and if you’re lucky, you might spot dogs enjoying a hearty meal. Come back the next day, and the scene repeats itself. Visit again at 4 pm, and there they are — loitering around, well-fed and happy.

Who’s behind this initiative?

The Better India recently learned that Neighbourhood Woofs, in collaboration with Delhi Café Heights (DCH), has been feeding stray dogs in Delhi since November 2024.

At first glance, the Red Fort outlet of DCH looks like any other bustling restaurant in the capital — laughter, clinking cutlery, and plates brimming with food. But behind the scenes lies a heartwarming story: food waste transformed into a lifeline for hundreds of stray dogs across the city.

Since November 2024, the outlet, in collaboration with Neighbourhood Woofs, has repurposed over 5,500 kg of leftover food into nutritious meals for strays. This effort is led by Ayesha Christina Benn, founder of Neighbourhood Woofs, an organisation dedicated to dog welfare, and Heart, co-founded by Shirin Batra, daughter of DCH’s founder.

The spark of an idea

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