In 2016, we went to see the Golden Temple in Amritsar. We were revisiting after about 25 years.  The scene was acutely distressing. Street dogs, or strays, were everywhere, in numbers we could not have imagined. We rented a car and drove through streets around Ranjit Avenue, feeding every dog in sight. Asha could barely sleep through the nights we spent at that Holiday Inn, as she got ready early every day to make Her rounds to feed these dogs. Indian law prevents euthanasia, so that has never been the solution for India. We vowed to come back and find a solution.

Every year we would spend more time in Amritsar and meet more dog lovers. But we, like all the well-meaning people we met, continued to be deeply saddened by the miserable plight of these helpless dogs.  We knew we had to do something, so we did.

Four years later we had a location for a Sterilization Clinic, a lease, a funding commitment of $50, 000, and not much else. We hired people we had never met, relied on many people with a good heart, and opened our arms to all who would come forward to volunteer. We were happily surprised. Many came forward, donated time, donated money, donated supplies, gave us guidance, and made this project their own. Then one day the sign “Animal Welfare Charitable Trust” went up. Our capacity between 2 clinics we now operate is 12500 surgeries per year.