Achala, who runs Let’s Live Together, in the city has been avidly working to give strays' homes.



MyBangalore met with Achala Pani who believes that changing ones attitude towards these stray dogs is the only way out to combat the situation of the large number of strays in the city. Achala, who runs Let’s Live Together in the city, has been avidly working to give homes to these stray dogs for years’ now. An advertising graduate, she first stumbled upon the idea nine years back, but took up the cause more seriously while doing a college project, 'Life on the street'.

In retrospect today, she feels more than the achievement it’s the thrive to do something good for this breed, often neglected by many, and give a shape to her dream that she has carried in all these years. Achala corroborates, “This is long time affair for me. Every time I would see a stray puppy in the street, I would just bring it back, keep him, make him eat food, and try finding him a home.” She explains, “It’s a thing I just wanted to do, and it has some how become the most important thing of my life at this time.”



‘Let’s Live Together’ is a volunteer helpline in Bangalore, formed to help homeless, helpless dogs. The helpline finds homes for homeless pups. Achala, who has started this

She seems to have dedicated her life to this cause. She says, “Nothing else is more important than this in my life at this point of time.” When asked more on the same, she said, “I have got a six-year-plan when I would like to see this center as the best adoption centre in the country, and I will have to see no more of these stray pups making street their home.”  

The NGO organizes adoption campaign for these stray puppies. It was the fifth campaign of its kind when we met with her, but Achala still feels that a lot has to be done. “Indian dog”, is what she calls this breed of dogs. “The problem is with the people’s mentality. People are reluctant to tame this breed of dogs; it’s the breed like German Shepherd, Dalmatian, or Labrador that is popular. Why? “Indian dogs are equally nice and loyal. They have great immune system too,” says, Achala in defense of the pariahs.



Helped by volunteers and friends, Achala helps these stray puppies to bedopted or at least find a foster home until something permanent comes her way. “We organize adoption campaigns. A lot of the people have shown interest to adopt, and a lot of these puppies have been adopted too. Just that,” she says “people should be educated more.” She adds, “And if this really works out well, the day is not far when people will stop complaining about the stray dog menace”. “They are left starving and ignored, which is why they show the aggression when they see people walking on the street. Love them and you will be loved,” concluded Achala.  



And when we spoke to somebody who had adopted one of these puppies and had little dobut then about Achala’s conviction. Asha Sharma, a software engineer corroborates, “It’s just two days that I have got her home, and she is already so much adapted to the whole place.” Asha is presently planning for a trip abroad, buy says that she is looking forward to adopting one more of the puppies. “Rani is what I’ve named her, and I will soon get her a company.” For James Gwite, an executive, awareness is what he thought should be looked at. “This kind of adoption campaign is very important to encourage people to love this breed of dogs too. They are often ignored and neglected, but” said Robert, “they are good and lovable as other breeds.” He added, “I am planning to adopt one of them.”   

People wanting to adopt these puppies can get in touch with Achala Pani. People can also also help foster a pup from these campaigns until it finds a permanent home.