A dog lover from Mumbai wrote to the VOSD Helpdesk in May 2022 requesting us to take in a pet dog who was suffering inhumane levels of cruelty and mistreatment from his owner. The large mixed breed dog had been kept tied EVERY DAY for SIX YEARS. He wasn’t given proper shelter during rains, had various health issues, and maggot-infested wounds on his paw. The kind man after consulting with our team, obtained permission to adopt the dog from his owner, and surrendered the pooch to VOSD.
When ‘Adheera’ reached the VOSD Sanctuary & Hospital, we noticed he wasn’t an even-tempered dog probably due to years of pent up frustration from being chained and neglected. It was evident he needed to be rehabilitated by experienced dog handlers because he was prone to attacking without provocation, and had food aggression issues.
The staff who interact with our aggressive/unpredictable dogs are handpicked and trained by VOSD’s founder, Rakesh Shukla. The socialising and rehabilitation methods used are positive and reward-based – no dog is ever punished for who they are. Our team has had 99% success in transforming snappy biters into happy and playful dogs!
A dog handler was assigned solely to Adheera and was put in charge of feeding him, kennel hygiene, grooming, medical care, and socialising. Repeated exposure to the same person helped the large dog feel safe and comfortable. He soon allowed his human not only to put him on a leash but take him for a long walk in our in-house dog park. Within a few days of exploring the sanctuary, Adheera began jogging and running. The wide smile on his face indicated he was thrilled to be outside and free!
From being chained, neglected, and underfed, Adheera now has a comfortable living room, nutritious meals, medical care, companionship, and exercise. He has transformed from an unpredictable dog to a happy boy. Hundreds of other abused and ill-treated pet dogs now call VOSD home. To give them the gift of good health and love please donate INR 5,000 (~$61) one-time or monthly for their food & medical expenses: https://vosd.in/active-campaigns/monthly-expenses/.
Follow the lives of the VOSD dogs on www.vosd.in
