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“Welfare Cannot be achieved by False promises, It is a work of Commitment & Dedication”

MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA – In the heart of Mumbai’s bustling commercial hubs, where traffic never stops and the noise never fades, a silent crisis often unfolds on the roadsides. For the city’s injured and abandoned strays, survival is a daily battle. Stepping into this breach is Awaaz Voice of Stray Animals (VOSA), a non-profit organization that has become the difference between life and death for thousands of animals.

Today, Awaaz announces a significant milestone in its journey: over 15,000 animals rescued and treated since its inception in 2017. This achievement is not just a statistic; it is a testament to the organization’s founding philosophy and actual slogan: “Welfare Cannot be achieved by False promises, It is a work of Commitment & Dedication.”

A Promise Kept: The Origins of Awaaz

The genesis of Awaaz lies in a moment of profound heartbreak. It began with Amit Pathak, the organization’s founder, who started his journey in animal welfare at the young age of 18. Like many animal lovers, Amit began by feeding the strays in his locality. However, a traumatic incident where he rescued a critically injured puppy, only to watch it succumb to its injuries due to a lack of immediate, professional medical aid, shifted his perspective entirely.

“I realized that good intentions were not enough,” says Amit Pathak. “Mumbai didn’t just need feeders; it needed an emergency medical service. It needed an institution that wouldn’t just talk about welfare but would physically be there when a life hung in the balance. That is why our motto is so specific—welfare requires the hard work of commitment, not just empty promises.”

That singular moment of loss fueled a movement. Today, Awaaz operates a fleet of three ambulances and a dedicated rehabilitation facility in Malad. Co-led by Director of Operations Alisha Das, the core team of 21 members covers a massive operational area spanning Vile Parle (East), Goregaon (East), Malad (West), and the majority of Andheri (East).

Commitment in Action: Emergency Response

Unlike many organizations that focus primarily on sheltering, Awaaz has carved a niche in On-Spot Medical Assistance. Two of their three ambulances are dedicated solely to mobile clinics, treating minor wounds, maggot infestations, and skin infections directly on the streets. This strategy minimizes stress for the animals and ensures that the rehabilitation facility is reserved for the most critical cases requiring surgery or intensive observation.

The team’s dedication is best illustrated by the complexity of their rescues. In what locals call the “Marol Miracle,” the Awaaz team responded to a distress call about a mother dog whose head had been trapped in a PVC pipe for hours. Despite the pitch darkness and torrential rain, the team persevered. The mother dog, driven by her own commitment to feed her puppies, had endured unimaginable pain. The Awaaz team successfully cut her free, reuniting her with her litter in a moment that moved the entire neighborhood.

Another harrowing case involved two newborn puppies flushed down a public toilet in Saki Naka. Refusing to accept that their fate was sealed, Awaaz launched a joint operation with the Mumbai Fire Brigade. After four grueling hours of breaking through concrete and navigating the drainage system, both puppies were pulled out alive—a shining example that every life, no matter how small, is worth fighting for.

Beyond Rescue: Building a Safer Future

Awaaz understands that rescue is only half the battle; prevention is the other. To combat the high rate of night-time road accidents involving strays, the organization launched the “I Brake For Paws” campaign. By distributing over 1,000 reflective stickers to vehicle owners and installing reflective collars on stray dogs, they have significantly improved visibility and safety on Mumbai’s roads.

Furthermore, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill, Awaaz did not retreat. With restaurants closed and streets empty, the city’s strays faced starvation. The Awaaz Feeding Squad mobilized immediately, splitting into teams to ensure that animals across their zones were fed. During the lockdowns, they served over 28,000 meals, proving that their commitment stands firm even in the face of a global crisis.

“Welfare is not a 9-to-5 job,” states Alisha Das. “It is waking up at 3 AM for an emergency rescue. It is travelling 600 kilometers to Raigad for flood relief operations when others won’t go. It is doing the work when no one is watching. As our slogan says, it is a work of commitment and dedication.”

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Support

Despite their monumental impact, Awaaz faces the harsh reality of operating a non-profit in a resource-heavy sector. The cost of medical care has skyrocketed. Private veterinary clinics, X-rays, blood tests, and complex surgeries drain the organization’s limited resources. Additionally, maintaining a fleet of ambulances and recruiting dedicated veterinary staff willing to work in the challenging field environment remains a constant hurdle.

Awaaz relies entirely on the generosity of individuals to keep their engines running and their medical kits stocked. They are currently seeking volunteers, veterinary professionals, and financial donors to help sustain their life-saving work.

How You Can Help

Awaaz Voice of Stray Animals invites the citizens of Mumbai and compassionate individuals worldwide to support their mission. Donations are eligible for tax exemption and go directly toward fuel, medicine, and food for the animals.

To donate, volunteer, or report an injured animal in their zone, please visit https://awaaz.me/.

Team & Trustees Amit Pathak, Alisha Das, Satyajeet Gill Sandeep Ghate, Vijay Pathak, Shauket Patel, Jayant Tandel, Vasudha Samant

About Awaaz Voice of Stray Animals: Established in 2017, Awaaz is a Mumbai-based animal welfare organization dedicated to providing first aid, emergency medical assistance, and rehabilitation to stray animals. With a philosophy rooted in action over promises, Awaaz strives to create a world where compassion is an active commitment.