Monsoon Surge in Pet Abandonment Highlights Deep-Rooted Challenges for Pune’s Animal Welfare

Pune: As the monsoon season takes hold in Pune, animal welfare organizations are sounding the alarm over a notable spike in pet abandonment cases. The wet, humid conditions bring with them a host of health risks for animals, such as tick fever, skin infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses, making pet care both more challenging and costly. Some owners, overwhelmed by these burdens, tragically opt to abandon their pets rather than seek solutions.

The issue is far from new. Earlier this year, a widely shared video of a German Shepherd left behind in a Delhi market drew national attention to the ongoing crisis. India has experienced a steady increase in abandonment rates since the 2020 Covid lockdown, which saw impulsive pet adoptions skyrocket. 

Reasons for abandonment are varied but often stem from preventable issues: housing disputes, financial difficulties, or a lack of pet-friendly infrastructure. Many prospective pet owners fail to grasp the long-term commitment involved. Puppies, while adorable, grow into adult dogs that may require specialized training or medical care. When owners are unprepared for these realities, shelters become the last resort for many pets.

"Illegal breeders are in it for a quick buck. No genetic testing is done. As dogs grow up, they develop health problems like cancer, diabetes, organ failure, etc. Treatment and care are costly and difficult. Abandonment is chosen." Puneeta Khanna, Pune district unit head for People for Animals (PFA), points to unregulated breeders as a major contributor to the problem.

Khanna also highlights vaccine reluctance as a significant factor: "There's a DHPPiL 9-in-1 vaccine that costs around INR 700-1,000. People purchase expensive foreign breeds and splurge on fancy accessories and other stuff to show off on social media but won't spend on basic healthcare. These dogs end up in shelters, often for life, because no one wants to adopt an ill pet."

The psychological impact on abandoned animals can be profound. Last year, a Pitbull left on Mahim Beach in Mumbai went on a biting spree, a reaction likely caused by stress and confusion. "Abandonment wreaks havoc on a dog's psyche. They go through cycles of anxiety, wariness, and eventually, cautious trust—only if they're lucky. We often have to fundraise for treatment from our own pockets," said Richa Singh Chowdhury, founder of Bowsome Senior Dog India Foundation in Ahmedabad. Chowdhury’s organization rescues, treats, and rehomes abandoned senior and ill dogs across India.

She notes that even adopted rescue dogs are sometimes returned: "Even after being told what care is required, people bring them back after months or even years."

Dog trainer and counsellor Shalaka Mundada, who began advising pet parents in 2010 after three dogs were dumped at her hostel, emphasizes the importance of informed decisions: "You're signing up for a 12 to 15-year commitment. Breed, lifestyle, job schedules, personality, all of it matters when choosing a pet."

Despite legal provisions under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that classify abandonment as cruelty, enforcement remains weak. Meet Ashar, cruelty response legal advisor at PETA India, explains: "For instance, an abandoned dog in its disoriented and stressed state could attack people or knock someone down by running into them. Pets raised in households cannot survive on the streets, so when abandoned if the dog meets with an accident and loses a limb, only then does it tend to attract BNS section 325."

Volunteers and activists agree that while solutions exist, systemic change is needed. Until then, shelters and rescuers continue to bear the brunt; emotionally, logistically, and financially, of a crisis that shows few signs of abating.