Not just giving them shelters, but homes, Indian Institute
of Management Indore is perhaps the first in the country to give names and
birthdays to all the 40 dogs living in a shelter in college campus.
“It is not about giving them a place in our campus, but in
our heart so we are trying to ensure their happiness and comfort with our
little steps every year,” Himanshu Rai, IIM Indore director said. Every dog in
the shelter would celebrate his or her birthday every year with the team of
institute.
Not just names, in fact, every student in the college can
also pick out a dog and take care of it. “Students can take the dog out, and
one can learn a lot about leadership by leading a dog,” Rai said.
The shelter in the campus was build about four years back in
the initiative for stray dogs. Prof Sneha Thapliyal, student Pooja Batra and
public relation officer Ananya Mishra had headed the initiative bringing in
dogs, which needed help.
“When we connect with animals, we understand their needs, so
we refurbished their shelter ensuring that rain does not bother them, extended
the ceiling height giving them enough open air and space, and several other
modifications over the years,” Rai said.
For winters, these dogs will have access to mattresses and
blankets. “We had put collars on them, but we have to change them as they often
pull them off each other,” Rai said.
The institute welcomes people to adopt the dogs and take
them home. “We have also opened our doors for dogs in the city who need care,
they can stay in the shelter,” Rai said.