From a small clinic to a movement - the journey of Paws & Care
In 2008, Dr. Priya Sharma was running a small veterinary clinic in Mumbai when she encountered a severely injured stray dog outside her clinic. Despite her best efforts, the dog didn't survive. That moment sparked something in her - a determination to create a safety net for the countless animals suffering on the streets with no one to care for them.
What started as weekend rescue missions with a few volunteers quickly grew into something much larger. Dr. Sharma began taking in injured and abandoned animals, treating them in her clinic, and finding them new homes. Word spread through the community, and soon people were bringing injured animals to her door at all hours.
Within a year, her small clinic could no longer handle the growing number of animals in need. With the help of donations from grateful pet owners and community members, she rented a small space that became the first Paws & Care shelter.
Dr. Priya Sharma grew up with a deep love for animals. As a child, she would bring home injured birds and stray kittens, much to her parents' amusement. This childhood passion led her to pursue veterinary medicine, where she graduated at the top of her class from the Bombay Veterinary College.
After working in several veterinary practices, she opened her own clinic with a vision to provide affordable care to all pets, regardless of their owners' financial situation. But she soon realized that the animals who needed help the most - the strays and abandoned pets - had no one to bring them to a vet.
Dr. Sharma's commitment to animal welfare extends beyond her work with Paws & Care. She regularly speaks at schools and community events about responsible pet ownership and animal rights, and has been instrumental in advocating for stronger animal protection laws in Maharashtra.
Under her leadership, Paws & Care has grown from a one-woman rescue operation to an organization with over 50 staff members and 300 volunteers, but she still makes time to perform surgeries and personally oversee the care of critical cases.
Dr. Sharma begins rescuing and treating injured stray animals from her small veterinary clinic, operating out of her own pocket with help from a few dedicated volunteers.
With growing community support, Paws & Care opens its first dedicated shelter facility with capacity for 30 animals. The organization is formally registered as a non-profit.
We expand beyond rescue operations to include community education programs and launch our first large-scale sterilization drive in partnership with local municipalities.
Thanks to generous donations, we move to our current state-of-the-art facility with capacity for 200 animals and a fully equipped veterinary clinic. Adoption programs are formalized.
Paws & Care receives the National Animal Welfare Award for outstanding contribution to animal rescue and community education. Our volunteer program expands to over 200 active members.
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, we launch emergency feeding programs for community animals and create foster networks for pets whose owners were hospitalized.
We establish partnerships with organizations in three additional cities and launch mobile veterinary clinics to serve underserved communities.
Today, we continue to grow and innovate, with plans to open two new shelters and develop specialized programs for senior animals and those with special needs.
Rex was found with a severe leg injury and multiple wounds. After months of treatment and rehabilitation, he found his forever home with the Mehta family, where he's now the beloved protector of two young children.
Luna was rescued during monsoon floods, stranded on a rooftop. Malnourished and terrified, she slowly learned to trust humans again. She now lives with retiree Mrs. Kapoor, who says Luna brought new purpose to her life.
Buddy was hit by a car and left with a broken spine. Our veterinary team performed a complex surgery, and after months of physical therapy, he regained the ability to walk. He now brings joy to the Sharma family every day.
Every decision we make is guided by compassion for animals and the belief that every life has value.
We believe lasting change happens when we work together with communities, not just for them.
We're committed to being a voice for animals and educating the next generation of animal advocates.
We continuously seek new and better ways to help animals and expand our impact.
We focus on creating lasting solutions rather than temporary fixes for animal welfare issues.
We maintain open communication about our operations, finances, and impact with our supporters.
Join us in our mission to create a world where every animal is safe, loved, and valued. Your support makes our work possible.