'O Paalanhaare': Meet Godfather Of Paralyzed Stray Dogs Who Built A Caring Home For Accident Victims

There is an unmatched link between an owner and his pet. They are our constant companions through all the highs and lows life has to offer. They make us smile and laugh, and they even seem to understand what we're saying. It's true what they say—"A dog is a man's best friend"—and meeting Harendra Singh makes it clear why. The Uttar Pradesh man makes it clear to the world how much the puppies mean to him. Get ready to laugh, and possibly cry a lot!

Life-Changing Incident

Harendra Singh remembers that day he went for a solo bike ride and stopped at a gas station. He noticed a dog sitting close by, its hind legs appearing weak. He fed the dog for days in the hopes that it would help and improve the dog's condition. But the dog died soon after that. The dog, paralyzed from the waist down, was all bones, had lost all muscle in his rear legs, and finally died from external bleeding. It shocked Harendra. However, it did not take him long to recognize that had the dog received the necessary medical care, it would have survived. Harendra's perspective on life was drastically changed by the event. He gave up on pursuing his own goals and committed his entire life to helping disabled and challenged puppies. Over 400 disabled dogs have been saved by Harendra since he founded the non-profit organization Voice of Stray Animals in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, more than four years ago. 

Home To 100 Paralyzed Dogs

There are currently 100 stray dogs living there. Nearly all of them are disabled. 98% of dogs that are paralyzed are the result of collisions involving fast-moving cars and a delay in receiving prompt medical attention. When someone strikes a dog while driving, they quickly hit the dog and don't give a damn about the innocent animal's life. Dogs, however, experience pain and suffering on par with humans, if not more so. On the side of the road, many of them are abandoned to perish.

Dogs that are paralyzed require the best care, and the shelter provides them with the affection they so richly deserve. Dogs from various regions, including West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Noida, have found a secure home; numerous of them have even made a full recovery following their mishap. In addition to overseeing their medical care, Harendra makes sure these dogs receive wheelchairs so they may remain mobile and comfortable. 

Harendra dedicates all of his time to the shelter, despite having a small business of his own. However, he needs help now more than ever to take care of these dogs, which are his life. Most of the costs are covered by Harendra personally, even if some donations to Voice Of Stray Animals come from donors. But in order to maintain the general health of the dogs housed at the shelter, Harendra requires assistance obtaining dog food, medications, wheelchairs for dogs, personal hygiene items, and an x-ray machine.