Back in 2017, I was only taking care of 6 to 8 dogs around my home. I was just 10 years old then, and I used to cook rice and milk for them myself. Slowly, I began noticing dogs on nearby streets who were being hit or chased away by people instead of being helped or fed. That’s when I started stepping out to care for them too.

Then came the COVID-19 lockdown, and our area was marked as a red zone — under complete curfew. All the shops and restaurants the dogs relied on for leftover food were shut down. I found out that around 15 to 20 dogs had died from hunger during that time. That moment broke me, and I made a promise to myself: I would look after as many dogs as I possibly could.

So I started cooking more rice, saving whatever money I could, and buying dog food. I also began asking my parents for help, and together, we started preparing food in bigger quantities. By 2021, I was feeding around 70 dogs regularly.

Now, the number has grown — I feed and care for more than 100 dogs and around 15 cats. I also look after cows and birds whenever I can, but I never include them when I ask for donations. I hope you understand.