Thinking of adding a furry friend to your life? You’re in the right place. In India, adopting a pet isn’t just about picking the cutest pup or kitten; it’s about finding the right companion and giving an animal a safe, loving home. Luckily, there are organisations across the country working tirelessly to make this happen, connecting would-be pet parents with animals in need. These organisations don’t just offer purebred dogs but also abandoned pedigrees and street rescues. Check out these five trusted pet adoption organisations in India to bring home a little friend.

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1. Friendicoes

Friendicoes SECA was registered as a society in April 1979. After four decades of unparalleled devotion to strays and injured animals in Delhi NCR, today it serves the dual purpose of a shelter and a hospital. Being the first shelter in the city, Friendicoes sees the maximum influx of animals than any other shelter. Apart from abandoned and lost pets, sick strays, the occasional bird and monkey in distress also make their way to Friendicoes.

It also has an Out Patient Department, an in-house clinic for strays that accommodates about 150-200 animals, two operation theatres, a laboratory and X-ray unit. They have a sanctuary in Gurugram that houses about a thousand animals. There is also a round-the-clock ambulance service for strays as well as an emergency night clinic for pets. It also functions as the pet adoption centre for all Friendicoes animals. The change they seek is acceptance towards desi breeds and responsible ownership of pets, which includes training yourself and your dog to understand each other.

2. Animal Matter To Me

Animal Matter To Me is the brainchild of Mumbai-based Ganesh Nayak. He has been working towards animal welfare since January 2010. This online community has successfully helped a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, and many others. And all of these have been rescued animals. You can also donate to them as they take care of many abused and injured animals.

3. Umeed: The Rehabilitation Centre

Based in Gurugram, Umeed has been operational since April 2015. They have conducted an average of 120+ rescue operations per year and around 40-50 adoptions, both national and international. The organisation constantly updates their Instagram page with details of pets for adoption. They also urge people to provide material help for the ones that are already in the shelter. If you’re thinking of adopting a cat, you can generally find some options here.

4. Voice of Voiceless

Championing the cause of animals in distress, Voice of Voiceless looks after abandoned pets and street animals, literally giving a voice to the voiceless. They have been helping the community for over five years as a registered NGO. The enthusiastic couple brings home animals that are injured and cures them with the help of experienced veterinarians. They have successfully carried out hundreds of rescues, filed cruelty cases and FIRs, and conducted over 250 adoptions. Their aim is to bring a change in backyard and unethical breeding practices and encourage adoptions of shelter pets.

5. People For Paws

The mission of this student-run community is that there should be no animal without a shelter and no house without a pet. They have been helping animals in distress for quite some time now. All the team members are young animal lovers, in the age group of 18 to 25. People For Paws directs their efforts towards promoting adoption of desi strays who are often ignored for their purebred counterparts. If you’re thinking of adopting a dog in India, People For Paws is one of the most helpful organisations to contact.

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