Some dogs never get the chance to know what love feels like.
They are abandoned on roadsides, run down and injured by cars, blinded or simply abandoned. Most people ignore their existence and simply walk past.
But one man stopped.
Outside Bengaluru, a quiet seven-acre sanctuary has become home to more than 1,800 dogs. Some arrived broken. Some were blind or paralyzed. Some had been abandoned after years of suffering.
They have food, medical care, shelter, and what they may never have had before - a safe place where they can call home.
The man behind it is Rakesh Shukla, popularly referred to as the Dog-Father of India.
The story of changing from One Puppy to a ‘Movement’
It all started with one small rescue.
In 2010, a software engineer in Bengaluru found a tiny puppy sitting on the streets after days of heavy rain. She was cold, wet, and shaking. He took her home and named her Lucky.
That one rescue changed his life.
Two years later, a girl found a paralyzed St. Bernard near a military airport. The dog's spine was badly damaged, and vets said she might never walk again.
She brought her to Rakesh and he took the dog to his office and named her Cookie.
He did not give up on her. He even built a wheelchair for her by hand. The first three tries were unsuccessful. On the fourth try, it finally did.
Cookie was able to walk again.
She lived a happy life surrounded by love. Sadly, she later died from an infection.
However, Cookie left something behind. She provided him with an opportunity to assist far more dogs.
Building VOSD: The Sacrifice Behind the Sanctuary
In 2012, he started Voice of Stray Dogs (VOSD) with just three staff members and one van.
He had no big plan or ready-made model to follow. His just began and started adding things one by one.
He spent a large part of his own money to keep VOSD going. In the early years, he spent around ₹15 crore of his own money and even sold three houses.
He didn't own a car nor even a credit card for years.
He put his money into one thing: saving dogs.
7 Acres, 1,800 Dogs: Inside the Sanctuary
What started as a small place is now a 7-acre sanctuary for more than 1,800 dogs. Dogs who have suffered neglect or abuse get free medical care, good food, and a safe home. Police and army dogs are also cared for here with love and care in their retirement years.
30,000+ Dogs Rescued Across India
Since VOSD began, it has rescued more than 30,000 dogs across India. Around 400 more dogs arrive every year from over 30 cities by road, train, and even flight. Many are treated and returned to their communities, while dogs with nowhere else to go can stay at the sanctuary.
Why They Call Him India's Dog-Father
Rakesh's work has spread beyond Bengaluru as well. His story has been featured by BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, The Times of India, and The Hindu. He has also spoken at TEDx about what dogs taught him about life and leadership.
Dog-Father of India is not a title that came from an award. He earned the name because he saved countless lives and gave them a safe home.
His journey is simple: he started with one puppy and kept helping dogs, even when he had very little.
Today, more than 1,800 dogs have a safe home because one man chose to stop and help.
