Over the past couple of weekends, if you noticed an army of youngsters and leaders in the neighbourhoods of Kolkata, extending a helping hand to furry friends, you likely encountered the Like A Dog Foundation team. The non-profit organisation embarked on a mission to vaccinate as many stray dogs and cats as possible across the city during their Community Animal Care Week 2024 campaign from February 29 to March 6. Their aim? To mitigate public health risks, tackle overpopulation, and curb the transfer of diseases, one four-legged friend at a time. Over three weekends, this dream team vaccinated 570-plus strays in the different neighbourhoods of Topsia, Tangra, Burrabazar, Shyambazar, Baghbazar, Shova Bazar, Sonargachi and other locations.
Dr. Reshmi and the team also hosted a free one-day clinic on March 5, in collaboration with Vet Spectrum Animal & Bird Clinic in south Kolkata, offering primary, preventive, and emergency care to community animals.
Leading the pack
Like A Dog Foundation took off in 2014, with a noble goal to shower love and care upon Kolkata’s furry inhabitants
In 2014, Like A Dog Foundation burst into existence, with a noble goal to shower love and care upon Kolkata’s furry inhabitants.
Dr Reshmi Sensharma (co-founder/director), Sweta Sen (co-founder/director), and Sankalpa Ghose (co-founder/advisor) have tirelessly worked to administer over 7,500 anti-rabies and other vital vaccines, and championed over 500 spay and neuter surgeries.
Chola (right) and Barfi, Sweta’s two babies in Kolkata
In 2020, they proudly registered as a non-profit organisation and they dream of a future where every community animal in India receives the love and medical attention they deserve. Like a dog chasing its tail, they're aiming to build a haven, a medical centre, and a sanctuary in the years to come. Being dog parents and animal lovers themselves, this common goal became even more valuable to them.
Paws and reflect
Collaborating with the International Veterinary Students’ Association, Kolkata Chapter (IVSA), Like A Dog Foundation embarked on their Community Animal Care Week 2024 drive on March 1. They walked around south Kolkata to look for stray pups, ending at Palm Avenue, which is a neighbourhood overpopulated with litter. Led by Dr. Reshmi Sensharma, (VMD, Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, New York), the team of student volunteers from IVSA were taught how to execute a vaccination.
“We started our drives from 2015 and then when I was in Kolkata 18 months ago, we did a smaller version with veterinary students,” says Reshmi. Her process is to first identify the areas and ensure the locals are on board with the activity. Then the global organisation of IVSA, which brings together students from veterinary schools worldwide, comes into the picture. There are conversations, exchanges of ideas, and discussions about how veterinary medicine is taught differently in different parts of the world. After signing up volunteers from there, Reshmi arranges for the vaccines from different companies.
Other than vaccinating, Like A Dog also helps the fluffs with preventive care which includes deworming and tick and flea prevention. “We mainly give the deworming treatment to the young dogs as they are more prone,” says Reshmi.
Approaching a furry fwend
A tender moment captured as a woman showers her kitty with affection after its vaccination
The team carries their vaccines at a controlled temperature and starts engaging with the animals. “Most of them are friendly but some of them have had bad interactions with humans,” says Reshmi. So what is the solution then? “We call out to the dogs or lure them with a biscuit. Then two volunteers can hold the dog and if needed we use a soft muzzle because some dogs tend to snap,” she says. Using nets is a big no-no for Like A Dog. They believe in a fear-free approach so the dogs have a good experience with the foundation.
Soft muzzles offer safely from snaps without hindering breath or meals
The organisation provides both rabies and DHPP IL (distemper vaccine), to protect dogs from multiple viral diseases. In addition, they maintain a database to track vaccination history. “For some of the animals, the ones that are very young, we will also go back and give them a second dose of vaccine in a month,” she adds.
Paw-sitively generous funding & partnership
Grateful for their generous donors, Like A Dog Foundation continues to seek support for their initiatives. Sweta singled out Fat Little Penguin for their contribution where they donated all their profits of February 29 to the organisation. “Going forward, we are always looking for more funds because the more funds we have the more stuff we can do,” says Sweta. Others that contributed to this drive were Offbeat CCU, Make Calcutta Relevant Again, The Vet Spectrum, Mommy’s Kitchen, Eat Out At Home among others.
How you can lend a paw
Team Veterinary Students’ Association, Kolkata Chapter and Like A Dog Foundation during the recent drive. ‘Before the drive started, the students underwent an online training programme to familiarise themselves with vaccinating,’ said Reshmi
“The easiest way would be to DM us on Instagram or tag us so we can take a look at your request,” says Sweta. The foundation is also looking at client neuter surgeries to control the population. “This is something we are trying to push. We have done 200-plus surgeries in the last two years on the days we don’t hold a drive,” she says.
If you are a brand or non-profit owner, Like A Dog is welcoming collabs. Even without a brand, you can stay updated by visiting likeadog.org and signing up for their newsletter. But the simplest way to support this non-profit? Be kind to all dogs. “Compassion is contagious, and that is our tagline,” signs off Sweta.