Shelter operations, fundraising and social media curation are some of the ways to begin animal rescue volunteering with shelters, vets, pet hospitals, clinics and citizen groups. Below is a map of where to find these establishments, along with links to groups and emergency numbers to help volunteers.
In the bustling city of Bengaluru, countless animals face daily threats. Their quiet struggles demand our compassion and immediate attention, especially during an emergency, through animal rescue volunteering with shelters and rescue groups.
Simple steps, taken carefully at the right time, can make all the difference.
Report, rescue, relocate, medicate, vaccinate, shelter, foster, adopt.
Let’s learn how to do it, and where to look for help.
First Response
- Assess from a safe distance without causing additional distress. Make sure there is no further harm or interference from people, objects or vehicles.
- Document and share a picture or video with the current location. Send it via WhatsApp or text to the nearest rescue service (map).
- Stay at the rescue spot until help arrives. If you really must leave, hand the animal over to another person nearby and send their number to the rescue team.
- Coordinate with rescue teams, patiently. If a rescue is on its way, tell any other rescuers not to come. Do not repeatedly call the rescue team while they are driving. Keep calm.
Keep in mind: shelter constraints, transport needs, and fees or terms.
Some shelters may not accept animals for lack of resources or capacity. You can ask if they can help relocate the animal to another safe location, shelter or clinic. Use some of the numbers below to arrange an ambulance, rickshaw or porter service to transport the animal safely with professional help. Discuss and clearly understand the terms and fees of a rescue service before you call the rescue team to your location.
First aid
General guidelines: place the animal in a cool, well-ventilated area. Give small quantities of cold water with glucose or sugar in it, frequently. Apply ice packs all over the body; if ice packs aren’t available, you may use water. Use a cold compress for the head and chest.
A first-aid kit should include gauze, cotton, a thermometer, Gotbac powder, Savlon, an antibiotic powder like Neosporin, tincture of benzoin, tincture of iodine, disposable gloves, a piece of white cloth and Betadine ointment.
Do not give Paracetamol. It is highly poisonous to animals.
Image: first response guidelines from ARRC (Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre)
Animal Rescue Helpline Numbers
- Police control room (for animal cruelty): 112
- BBMP Animal Rescue Helpline: 1533
- Police Dog Squad: 080 25710672
- BBMP Cattle & Monkeys: 080 2227 7789 / 22221188 / 22975698 / 22975707
- Snake or Monkey: 080 22947317 / 307 or 9901510394 (WRRC)
- Cows, Horses, Donkeys: 080-2294-7317 (CUPA), 9449559767 / 080-4097-7216 (Sambhava)
- Bird rescue: 9449642222 (ARRC), 9620286800 (Crows), 9900025370
- Snakes: BBMP Control Room, 080-2222-1188 / 22975698
- Cattle: Akhila Karnataka Prani Daya Sangha (080 2553 2204)
- Removal of carcasses: BBMP 080-22221188
- Wildlife poaching (Aranya Bhavan): 080-23341484
- Illegal slaughter: 080-22975566
- Government mobile clinic: 1962
There are many active citizens, independent caretakers, private snake catchers and BBMP certified volunteers for rescues around the city who can help you with a rescue.
Private pet ambulance numbers:
- 9964193210, 8722947494, 9886307717, 9538493313, 8022660000, 9353461173
- 9964814408 / 7022322185 (Ravi)
- 96322 01065 (Girish)
- 8341899936 (Vinod)
Cow rescue: 9844203467, 9880212545, 9632038167, 9742906874
Snake catchers:
- 9844037424 / 9972857337
- 7406079036 / 9844530033 (Spurthy)
- 9916968959 (Mahesh)
- 9341240482 (Nagabhushan)
- 98450 80903 (Mohan)
- 9980855720 (Shivappa)
- 9902794711 (Prasanna)
- 9880108801 (Sharath)
- 9342596704 (Jairaj)
- 99002 06859 (Shuayb)
- 89515 47464 (Mani)
- BBMP: 080-22221188
There are also online or “cloud” networks that help with rescues, missing animal reports and adoptions. You can find the pages below on Instagram. BBMP Animal Husbandry is the city’s official authority for managing rescue cases and curbing population growth.
- Dogs: heartfelt_hounds_blr, Fluffy Nut Foundation, Canine Squad (Ulsoor, Indiranagar, Jayamahal, Cunningham)
- Cats: bangalorecatsquad
- Cows: wegopals
- Missing animals: missing_pets_bengaluru
- Adoption services: petadoptionbangalore
Note: if rescue shelters are at capacity, they may not be able to fulfil a rescue request. As a reporter, you cannot blame them for not taking in an animal or not being able to show up. It’s not “their job”. Just like you, they volunteer to save lives, so please show respect and courtesy to rescue services.
Animal rescues near me in Bangalore
Here is a map of rescues, shelters, treatment centres and non-profits in the city.
Time is of the essence in a rescue, so reaching out to the closest centre increases the chances of rescuers being available to save the animal in reasonable time.
Image: map of 50+ shelters, clinics and animal rescue facilities
If you know of other reputed and dependable establishments, do message us.
How to file a complaint against an animal shelter
If a shelter, day care or boarding facility is not following guidelines and you have video evidence, call the BBMP animal rescue helpline on 1533 or the police on 112.
Animal Care: Medicines, ABCs, Legal Help and More
Common medicines and animal vaccinations
Note: the following section does not constitute medical advice. Always contact a veterinarian before giving any medication or vaccination.
Deworming and basic vaccinations for rabies, DHPPL, parvovirus and canine distemper should be given to stray dogs and cats, for the welfare of the community and their own wellbeing. The tables below can guide you.
Vaccines
| Puppy’s age | Essential vaccines (highly recommended) | Optional vaccines |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 7 weeks | DHPPi L (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and Parainfluenza) | Bordetella |
| 9 to 10 weeks | DHPPi L: Booster 1 | Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease, per lifestyle as recommended by a veterinarian |
| 12 to 16 weeks | DHPPi L Booster 2 + Rabies | Parainfluenza, Lyme disease, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, per lifestyle |
| 12 to 16 months | DHPPi L + Kennel Cough | Coronavirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease |
| Every year after 1 year | Bordetella, Leptospirosis | Influenza, Coronavirus, Lyme disease |
Medicines
| Common medication | May be used for |
|---|---|
| Liv 52 | An ayurvedic supplement from Himalaya that may be given for liver support during antibiotic treatment, or for general liver health. |
| Gotbac powder | Treats skin rashes, which are very common in stray dogs. It can also be used on open wounds. |
| Kiskin lotion | A broad-spectrum lotion with an antibiotic (ofloxacin), an antifungal (miconazole) and a steroid (clobetasol) that controls a variety of skin issues in stray dogs. |
| D-Mag spray | Effective against maggot wounds; acts fast in neutralizing the maggots. |
| Himax ointment | Prevents maggot infection. |
| Neosporin powder | Antibiotic powder that treats and controls infections. |
ABC: Animal Birth Control (neutering and spaying)
Animal Birth Control is the foundation of managing the stray population and combating rabies in India. Here are some places that sterilize or neuter strays. You can volunteer or work with these organizations to make sure a rescue or a pet undergoes ABC procedures in a sterile and safe environment. Find more on the map.
- CUPA (email)
- Let’s Live Together (email)
- Blue Ridge Pet Hospital (9108980086, email)
- RMV Clinic (9739800026, email)
- Asha Tails of Hope
Cruelty to animals
The Government of India encourages citizens to take active steps against animal cruelty. Killing or mutilating any animal (including stray dogs) is a cognizable offence (that is, police officers can arrest without a warrant), and strict action is to be taken if it is witnessed.
Animal welfare and guidelines
There are general guidelines that can be used to protect animals, as well as to complain against cruelty.
| Law or authority | What it says |
|---|---|
| AWBI (Animal Welfare Board of India) | 1. You can complain against unethical breeding. 2. Abandoning a pet is a legally punishable offence. 3. Residents with pets cannot be banned by RWAs or apartment owners from using the elevators in their own society. However, residents are advised to use an alternate elevator if one is available. 4. If residents or occupiers are not violating any municipal or other laws, RWAs or apartment owners cannot object to them keeping pets as companions. The general body cannot frame bye-laws that are at variance with the laws of the country. |
| Section 11 of the PCA Act | Animal cruelty is an offence. |
| Section 325 of the BNS | Killing, poisoning, maiming or disabling an animal is punishable with imprisonment, a fine, or both. |
Animal rescue laws in India
In India, the legal framework for animal rescue is rooted in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which replaced the Indian Penal Code on 1 July 2024, also criminalizes killing or harming animals. The Animal Welfare Board of India provides guidelines for animal welfare across the country.
| Law | What it says |
|---|---|
| Section 59 [11] of the KMC Act, 1976 | Mandates civic bodies to set up rescue centres. |
| BNS 325 | Killing, maiming, harming, poisoning or injuring an animal, or unintentionally hurting or killing one with a vehicle, is a legally punishable offence. The accused can be arrested without a warrant, but it is a bailable offence. The maximum penalty is 5 years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. |
| Vide GSR 193[E] dated 10/03/2021 | Street animals cannot be relocated, according to the ABC rules. Local bodies are responsible for their immunization, sterilization and welfare. |
| BNS 291 and BNS 325 | If any street animal or pet is harmed or dies because of the negligence of a doctor, hospital, shelter, creche or paravet, BNS 291 (negligent conduct with an animal) and BNS 325 apply. |
| Section 11/12 of the PCA Act | Police are obliged to help ordinary citizens or SPCA enforcement staff lodge a complaint or FIR against animal cruelty. If the police don’t take a complaint, you can also write to the magistrate directly. |
Animal protection lawyers in Bengaluru
The Constitution of India emphasizes the duty of citizens to be compassionate to all living creatures and to improve the natural environment.
- Kamal & Co Advocates: https://g.co/kgs/VY9sDjv, 6363666979
- Prime Legal Bangalore: https://g.co/kgs/FkgbXKd, 9740013535
Reporting missing pets
Losing track of a pet can be stressful. GPS-enabled collars and microchipping are now available in India and can help prevent it. If it does happen, here is a number that might be useful:
- BBMP: 1533
Surrendering animals and geriatric facilities
Geriatric facilities are evolving, and many animal welfare organisations take in animals that cannot fend for themselves, giving them a dignified retirement. Dog sanctuaries like VOSD (Voice of Stray Dogs) take in old or terminally ill dogs that have no home or hope.
Putting down, euthanasia and carcass removal
The Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 allow euthanasia as a humane option to end an animal’s suffering only if the animal is incurably ill or mortally wounded.
Here is a list of contacts that might help when looking for such options:
- Removal of carcasses of various animals: BBMP 080-22221188
- Dog burial: Mohan, 9844037424 / 9845080903; BBMP, 9900707521
- People For Animals dog burial: 8197155004
Volunteering opportunities in Bangalore
Many rescue shelters like Boo Nation and Mylos let volunteers help with dog care as well as shelter repair work. Many rescue shelters need specialized care, so they take trained professionals only. Volunteering intermediaries like Sceen and nonprofits like vpaws_vtvo host and promote volunteering with dogs and animals in Bengaluru. Boo Nation is also one of our top weekend volunteering opportunities in Bangalore.
Looking for places to volunteer? Browse upcoming activities or message us.
If causes like the upliftment of women, tree planting and lake drives, or supporting the transgender and tribal communities interest you, read our guide to the best NGOs to volunteer for in Bangalore.
Where can I adopt?
There are many foster care and adoption centres, both offline and online:
- fosters_of_bangalore
- petadoptionbangalore
- Big Bagheera Foundation
- forpawssake
- Tug-n-shred crew
- roar_rehab
- Pet Adoption Facebook group
Compassionate action is needed when it matters most: now.
Let’s make it an amazing life for all living species in namma ooru.
