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PAWSITIVE HEROES: Sudha Narayanan’s Win For Animal Welfare

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Neha

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8 min read

10 Jan, 2025

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Sudha Narayanan, the founder of Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre (CARE) is one of the strongest pillars that the Bangalore animal welfare community stands on. Her dedication to the rescue space has made a very strong impact on the animal welfare field. Under Sudha's leadership, CARE stands as a beacon of compassion and commitment, providing a safe haven for all kinds of animals.


Early Life and Career

Sudha Narayanan's journey started in the world of finance. She worked as an income tax officer where she learned organization and management. However, she always wanted to do something for animals. As a child, she was known to rescue stray and injured animals in her neighborhood.


Sudha's pivotal moment came when she adopted several animals from a shelter that was shutting down in Bangalore. Among them was Charlie, a three-legged dog who became her constant companion. 


Charlie's resilience and unconditional love pushed Sudha to think beyond individual rescues and create a permanent solution for animals in distress. This marked the beginning of her journey toward establishing Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre.


Founding CARE

The Charlie that started it all


In January 2013, Sudha Narayanan founded Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre (CARE). She named the shelter after Charlie. CARE was established with the mission of providing shelter, medical care, and a second chance at life for abandoned, injured, and neglected animals. What began as a small initiative, grew into a well-respected organization quickly, thanks to Sudha's determination and the support of like-minded individuals who shared her vision.


Sudha and her team built a centre that could accommodate and provide many animals with care. Her journey to make CARE into one of the best shelters was fraught with difficulties, but Sudha's dedication has resulted in CARE becoming a sanctuary for animals. It currently houses dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and even farm animals like ducks and pigs.


Services Offered by CARE

The two main rescue team members, and the ambulance


For over a decade, CARE has incorporated a wide range of services. Some of them are:


  • Emergency Rescue: CARE operates a dedicated helpline for rescuing animals in distress. This service has been instrumental in saving countless lives.
  • Animal Ambulance: A free ambulance service to transport injured or sick animals to the shelter for treatment is available on call.
  • Medical Facilities: A team of doctors, advanced medical technology, a fully functional operation theater, and spectacular post-operative care come together to diagnose, treat, and work on making the animals self-sufficient. 
  • Adoption Services: One of CARE's primary goals is to find loving homes for rescued animals. The center facilitates adoptions and ensures that animals are placed in caring environments.
  • Community Involvement: CARE encourages volunteers to participate in daily activities, offering opportunities to care for the animals and contribute to their well-being.
  • Educational Programs: The organization conducts workshops and awareness programs in schools to teach children the importance of kindness and empathy towards animals.


They have recently tied up with the Bangalore police for different workshops on how to catch and rescue animals. 


The Animals at CARE


At the time of publishing, CARE housed around 83 dogs, 7 cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, and a few farm animals. Many of these animals were in accidents, were abuse cases, or were abandoned. 


What Makes CARE Unique

Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre is a place where compassion, innovation, and community come together. The factors that set CARE apart from most shelters are:


  1. Advanced Medical Care: CARE has state-of-the-art medical facilities to provide high-quality treatment for a wide range of health issues. From surgeries to long-term treatments, CARE ensures that every animal under their care receives the best treatment possible.
  2. Community Engagement: CARE actively involves the local community through volunteer programs. This fosters a sense of responsibility and empathy among people, especially the youth and kids. 
  3. Innovative Initiatives: CARE has been known to regularly introduce new programs to address the unique needs of different animals. For example, the shelter has a separate neonatal care unit for orphaned puppies and kittens.
  4. Proven Impact: Since its inception, CARE has rescued and rehabilitated over 20,000 animals (At the time of this article being written). This remarkable achievement highlights the organization's dedication to making a tangible difference in the lives of animals.


Challenges Faced by CARE

Sudha with some of the residents at CARE


Running any shelter is not without challenges. Creating and running one like CARE needs all spokes of the wheel working together. The team faces a lot of challenges daily, like: 


  • Financial Constraints: While CARE receives donations and support from well-wishers, securing consistent financial resources remains a challenge.
  • Space Limitations: As the number of rescued animals grows, and it is always growing, finding enough space to accommodate them is becoming increasingly difficult.
  • Public Awareness: Despite CARE's efforts, many people remain unaware of the importance of animal welfare. Raising awareness and changing societal attitudes towards animals is an ongoing challenge.


Future Aspirations

Despite these challenges, CARE as a centre is financially self-sufficient most days and is capable of expanding its reach to help even more animals. Some of their long-term goals include:


  • Establishing a sanctuary for animals requiring long-term care and rehabilitation.
  • Enhancing educational programs to foster a culture of compassion and responsibility towards animals.
  • Collaborating with other organizations to strengthen the animal welfare network in India.
  • Advocating and pushing for implementation of stronger animal protection laws, and policies to ensure the safety and well-being of all animals.


Community Support and Involvement

Volunteers play a crucial role in the shelter's operations, assisting with everything from feeding and grooming the animals to organizing adoption drives and fundraising events. CARE also collaborates with schools, colleges, and corporate organizations to promote animal welfare and encourage community involvement.


Sudha has always believed that fostering a sense of empathy and responsibility towards animals starts with education. By reaching out to young minds through school programs and workshops, CARE aims to inspire the next generation to care for and protect animals.


How You Can Help

Sudha with Volunteers and the CARE team during the launch of the CARE Calendar


Supporting CARE’s mission is easy, and there are many ways to get involved:


  • Donate: Financial contributions help CARE provide food, medical care, and shelter for animals in need.
  • Volunteer: Spend your time at the shelter, assisting with animal care or administrative tasks.
  • Adopt: Give a rescued animal a second chance by adopting them into your home and giving it all the love and care.
  • Spread Awareness: Share CARE’s work on social media and encourage others to support their cause.
  • Sponsor an Animal: Provide ongoing support for a specific animal housed at the shelter, by covering their food and medical expenses.


With its services, innovative initiatives, and unwavering commitment to ethical practices, CARE continues to be a shining example of how an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of animals in Bengaluru and beyond should function.


ALSO READ | Pet-Friendly Getaways in India - North Zone

Conclusion

Sudha Narayanan's journey with Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre is a beautiful example of what can be achieved through passion and dedication.

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