In an unprecedented show of solidarity for animal welfare, more than 100,000 concerned citizens from across India simultaneously dispatched speed post letters to the Supreme Court on Saturday morning, urgently appealing for protection of stray dogs from what they term as "cruel and unscientific relocations" to shelters.
Massive Coordinated Protest Across India
The remarkable campaign saw animal lovers from major metropolitan centers including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, along with numerous other cities and towns nationwide, converge at their local post offices to send identical appeals to the apex court. The coordinated effort represents one of the largest organized protests for animal rights in recent Indian history.
Each signed letter contained a copy of a draft appeal prepared by animal activists, specifically requesting the Supreme Court to reconsider its November 7 order mandating the relocation of stray dogs to shelters. The protesters emphasized that their perspective had not been adequately heard during previous proceedings.
Scientific and Humanitarian Concerns Raised
Animal rights advocates highlighted multiple concerns with the relocation policy. They stressed that healthy, vaccinated, and sterilized dogs should be permitted to remain in their familiar territories rather than being confined to cages in shelters. The activists pointed out the severe practical limitations of the relocation approach, noting the insufficient number of adequate shelters to accommodate India's vast stray dog population.
Ambika Shukla of People for Animals (PFA) expressed gratitude toward the overwhelming public response, stating: "We are thankful to the over 1 lakh citizens who ensured that they reach their respective GPOs from Anantnag in J&K to Kanyakumari in the south of India to send this urgent appeal to the SC to save our stray dogs. We will continue to legally fight for the street dogs in our democratic set-up for animal welfare."
Celebrity Support and Peaceful Demonstrations
The movement gained additional visibility through celebrity participation, with prominent figures like Mumbai-based actor and entertainer Cyrus Broacha personally sending speed post letters to the Supreme Court. The involvement of public figures has helped amplify the message reaching broader audiences.
Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, over 300 animal feeders and activists associated with Pasujeeva - The Soulful Love Foundation organized a peaceful demonstration at Versova in suburban Mumbai. Protesters emphasized that proper sterilization, vaccination, and community care represent the only humane and effective approach to managing canine populations while maintaining their health and welfare.
The grassroots movement has been building momentum across various sectors of society. Earlier, students and faculty at IIT-Bombay's Powai campus initiated an email campaign expressing their desire to coexist peacefully with campus dogs rather than relocating them to uncertain shelter conditions.
Manasi Dikshit, founder of Marmik Animal Welfare Foundation, who also submitted a letter to the Supreme Court, raised practical concerns: "There are no proper animal shelters for dogs within BMC area, so where will the authorities take all our street dogs? It is impractical to relocate them."
The massive public response demonstrates growing awareness about animal welfare issues in India and signals a determined citizenry ready to advocate for compassionate treatment of street animals through proper channels of democracy.
