Q3-2024

Newsletter Jul-Aug-Sep 2024

edited by Tyag Krishnamurthy

THIS QUARTER AT THE BLUE CROSS OF INDIA

 

In September, we were thrilled to welcome renowned actor, producer, and animal lover John Abraham to our sanctuary. Known for his stoic action-hero persona on screen, John is equally admired for his compassionate heart and steadfast commitment to animal welfare. A celebrated figure in Indian cinema, John has been a recipient of the National Film Award and has consistently featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2017.

During his visit, John spent an hour engaging with our passionate volunteers, veterinarians, and staff. His genuine curiosity about the challenges and triumphs of animal welfare was inspiring, reflecting his dedication beyond the silver screen.

What left a lasting impression was the tender way John interacted with the animals under our care. His warm smiles, gentle pats, and heartfelt affection for every furry friend he encountered reminded us all of the power of kindness.

We are immensely grateful for John finding time off his busy schedule to pay us a visit, which has left our sanctuary brimming with renewed energy and hope. His support is a testament to the importance of compassion and advocacy, and we look forward to the ripple effect his involvement will have on the animal welfare movement.

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This quarter, our Humane Education team expanded its reach, engaging with young minds across a diverse range of schools and colleges. Presentations were held at Mount Carmel School, Narayana Olympiad, The Grove School, Valliammal Matric School, Vetri Vidyalaya, Vidyodaya, Vysya College, and DG Vaishnav College.

Through interactive sessions, our Humane Education Officer introduced students to the principles of kindness, empathy, and responsible coexistence with animals. These presentations used stories, visual content, and real-world examples to help students understand the importance of animal welfare and environmental harmony.

The response from students and educators alike was overwhelming, with participants actively engaging in discussions and posing thought-provoking questions. From addressing the pressing issues of animal cruelty to emphasizing individual responsibility in protecting the planet, the sessions inspired participants to take meaningful steps toward building a compassionate future.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to these institutions for opening their doors to our initiative and to the students for their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Together, we are nurturing a generation of empathetic individuals who will lead the way in creating a better world for all living beings.

Major Donors this quarter:

We gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions received from the following donors:

  • Ambattur Infra India Pvt Ltd
  • RNBDG Foundation
  • Four Paws International 
  • CHAL USA
  • Jain Resource Recycling Pvt Ltd
  • Ms. Velankanni A
  • Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd.
  • Mr. Nikhil Dharamdas Shah
  • Mr. Bharat Kumar Mardia
  • MCM Chennai Infrastructure P Ltd.

Your support enables us to continue our mission of promoting animal welfare and making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in need. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.

AROUND THE (ANIMAL) WORLD IN 90 DAYS
Making a difference – One street animal at a time

The rescues, birth control surgeries and re-homing by the Blue Cross Of India during the quarter.

The success of our key programs can largely be attributed to the generous contributions from our valued partners and sponsors. Their kindness and support enable us to continue our crucial work, making a lasting difference in the lives of street animals.

ABC Program

Animal Rescues

RNBDG

Animal Health & Nutrition

Shaswath Steels.    TNQ Foundation    

Street animals helped this quarter – Chennai. 

The number of rescue-requests received/accepted and rescued by the Blue Cross of India in the last 3 months.

Jul, Aug, Sep 2024

Rescue Requests Received : 4591
Rescue Requests Accepted : 3951
Actual Rescues : 2131 (54 % of requests accepted and 46% of requests received)

The Blue Cross of India is committed to helping more, but we are scaling back due to resource constraints and need your support. If you wish to help us as a volunteer or as a donor please use the links below:

The BCI works closely with major sponsors like HCLFoundation and the City Corporation to make this happen, but the journey is long and the road rough. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE – If you would like to help more of them

BACK FROM THE BRINK
Great Comeback Stories

This section celebrates remarkable comebacks and honours our dedicated vets, para-vets, animal caregivers, and volunteers. Their tireless commitment goes beyond duty, breathing new life into animals and offering them a fresh chance to find their place in the world.

Walnut’s Story: A Tale of Survival and Love

Hello, friends! My name is Walnut, and I am here to share the story of how my life changed forever, thanks to the amazing people at the Blue Cross of India.

It all started on a dark and terrifying day in Wallajabad, Kanchipuram. I don’t remember much, just the pain and the fear. I was caught in the middle of a family dispute, and the next thing I knew, I was injured and alone. I thought my story was over—until help arrived.

A group of kind humans saw a video about my plight and rushed to rescue me. They gently picked me up and brought me to a safe place they called their sanctuary. There, a team of doctors worked tirelessly to fix me up. I underwent emergency surgery, and while it was scary at first, I knew they were my heroes.

Today, I’m not just surviving—I’m thriving! I’ve made a full recovery and now live at the sanctuary where I am showered with love, belly rubs, and tasty treats every day.

The humans even told me that they’ve filed a police case to make sure justice is served. I wag my tail knowing they care so much.

To everyone who supported me, shared my story, or sent love my way—thank you for giving me a second chance. You turned my life around, and I’ll forever be grateful.

With love and happy barks,
Walnut 🐾

 

Maya’s Journey: From Pain to Hope

Hello, kind souls! My name is Maya, and this is the story of how I got my second chance at life.

I was living on the streets of a Chennai suburb, struggling with something I didn’t understand. My right eye was swollen and painful, and I felt weaker by the day. I didn’t know what was happening to me—until a group of angels arrived.

The rescue team from the Blue Cross of India found me, and without hesitation, they took me to their shelter. I later learned I had something called TVT cancer. It sounded scary, but the gentle hands and kind voices around me gave me hope.

For weeks, I received the best care—medicine, warm meals, and so much love. Slowly, my strength returned, and my eye healed. Today, I feel like a brand-new dog!

I hear the humans say I’m ready to find my forever home. I can’t wait to meet my new family and share all the love I’ve been storing in my heart.

To everyone who helped me: thank you for seeing the fighter in me. You didn’t just save my life—you gave me a future.

With gratitude and tail wags,
Maya 🐾

DRAMA IN REAL LIFE
Great Rescues

Hey there, I’m Sparky—your friendly neighborhood trench survivor! That’s right, I was stuck in an electricity cable trench for over ten days. Ten days! Let me tell you, it wasn’t the luxurious spa retreat I’d imagined.

It all started with my curious nose leading me to the trench. “What’s this? A hidden tunnel to doggy treasure?” I thought. But nope—it was a one-way ticket to nowhere. The walls were steep, my food delivery apps didn’t work down there, and the only company I had were a few judgmental ants.

Just as I was considering learning Morse code to signal for help, the heroes from Blue Cross of India showed up. They heard about my predicament and rushed to the scene like superheroes in shining ambulances.

They hoisted me out of the trench (quite the dramatic rescue, if I say so myself). Once out, I stretched my legs, shook off the trench dust, and gave the team my best “thank-you” tail wag. Now, I’m Sparky the Free, back in action, sniffing adventures above ground—where all the real fun happens! Thanks, Blue Cross!

HOSPITAL-ON-WHEELS
 
The BCI MoHo (Mobile Hospital) – This quarter
 

This quarter, our “Treatment on the Streets” initiative spanned an impressive 4,134 kilometers. During this time, our committed team successfully addressed 198 unique cases through 994 visits. This tremendous effort was made possible by our specialized mobile hospitals, or “MoHo’s,” and the tireless follow-up support provided by our Paravets on Wheels (“PoW”) units. Operated by skilled paravets and vet assistants under the remote supervision of veterinarians, these units delivered crucial primary diagnostics and initial treatments directly to animals in need.

Despite facing capacity challenges, our teams remained steadfast in their mission, ensuring that street animals received timely and essential care. This initiative stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to improving the lives of animals in distress.

Our “Treatment On The Streets” initiative is supported by several generous sponsors.

Four Paws – Our Flagship Mobile Hospital

DahNay Logistics – Mobile Hospital 2 

Ranka Steels – Mobile Hospital 3

Four Paws – Three Electric Scooters 

HCLFoundation – Sponsorship of mobile hospital operational expenses

Ram Nath B.. Dharbanga Goenka (RNBDG) Foundation  – Sponsorship of mobile hospital operational expenses 

DONATE HERE -Fund the running costs of our street treatment initiative.

EMPLOYEES OF THE QUARTER

VOLUNTEERS OF THE QUARTER

If you too are interested in joining us at the sanctuary and lending a hand with various essential tasks, please sign up here. We have plenty of onsite (Chennai) and remote volunteering opportunities available, and we would be delighted to welcome you in our next induction.

THIS, THAT AND OTHER ANIMAL MATTERS
From our camera rolls 
 
15th Aug – Independence Day Celebrations

 
5th – 8th Sep – BCI-HCLF Mass vaccination at Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi

 
12th Sep – Westin Housekeeping Team – keeps house @ the Blue Cross of India

 
21st – 23rd SepBCI-HCLF Mass vaccination at Pattabhiram, Avadi

27th Sep – World Rabies Day – Students Rally – Annai Violet International School 

28th – 29th Sep – World Rabies Day – Vaccination Drive – Kannagi Nagar

 
THE ANIMAL CALENDAR
Celebrating life – Preserving the endangered – Bringing Awareness

We animals are living the hustle life—our calendars are jam-packed! Want to squeeze into our busy schedules? Book an appointment with us to learn more about our fabulous, furry, and feathered selves. Don’t worry, we’ll try to pencil you in between naps and snack breaks!

 

July 2024
Aug 2024
Sep 2024
14th Jul 

World CHIMPANZEE Day

04th Aug 

Int CLOUDED LEOPARD day

1st Sep 

Int PRIMATE day

14th Jul 

World ORCA Day

10th Aug 

World LION day

17th Sep 

World MANTA day

16th Jul 

World SNAKE Day

12th Aug 

World ELEPHANT day

17th Sep 

Int RED PANDA day

29th Jul 
Int. TIGER Day
12th Aug

World HIROLA day

22nd Sep 

World RHINO day

 
 
13th Aug 

Int. WOLF day

22nd Sep 

Int TAMARIN day

 
 
19th Aug

World ORANGUTAN day

24th Sep 

World GORILLA day 

 
 
26th Aug

World AFRICAN WILD DOG 

day

26th Sep 

World CASSOWARY day

 
 
30th Aug 

Int. WHALE SHARK day

 
 
DONATION APPEAL

The Blue Cross Of India has been serving the voiceless for the last six decades mainly through donations from generous individuals like you. BCI is the first animal welfare organisation in India to be awarded the Guidestar Platinum Rating for transparency in 2013-14 and every year since – a stamp of assurance. 

Your donations are used in the most transparent and frugal manner for animal welfare, with minimal administrative expenses. The guidestar rating helps potential donors make a well informed decision based on an objective assessment of how donations are put to work by BCI. Learn More…

We thank you for your kindness and generous contributions that help the BCI take good care of us year after year. 

(Donations are eligible for 80G tax exemption – Make sure you mention your PAN No)
Make Memories with Blue Cross Of India

Whether it’s your big Birthday bash,
Or a memory of someone you cherish in a flash.
An anniversary to make your heart sing,
Or honouring a loved one—past or present, a beautiful thing.

A surprise for someone who makes your day,
Or a milestone you’ve hit along the way.
A dedication to love, pure and true—
Whatever the reason, we’ve got a job for you!

Feed 2000 animals; make them smile,
Their gratitude will warm your heart for a while.
The selfless love of an animal? Oh, it’s divine…
For everything else, there’s Mastercard (or Visa, if that’s more your line).

PLEASE FEED US ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY – MAKE IT EXTRA SPECIAL