Animal shelters and rescue helplines in Bengaluru: who to call

Note for Akash: placeholder illustration, low priority.

Bengaluru's animal welfare network is older and more layered than most Indian cities' — one organisation here traces its roots back to 1888. What follows is a working map of who does what, since the organisations genuinely specialise: some run 24-hour rescue ambulances, one runs a fundamentally different lifelong-care model with no rescue line at all, and one works exclusively with birds and reptiles. Getting this right before you call matters — especially at 2am with an injured dog on the road.

CUPA — Compassion Unlimited Plus Action

Founded in 1991 by Crystal Rogers, an Englishwoman who made Bengaluru her home, CUPA grew into a network of dedicated centres, each handling a different part of the work:

• Trauma & Rescue Centre — Hebbal, the core emergency operation with IPD/OPD care and ambulance pickups for sick or injured street animals
• Second Chance Adoption Centre — Dommasandra, Sarjapura Road, CUPA's dedicated adoption program
• Large Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre — Kengeri New Town, caring for working animals like cows, bulls, donkeys, and horses
• Mylappanahalli Geriatric Centre — long-term care for senior dogs
• Small Animal Specialty Hospital — RT Nagar, a working veterinary hospital for pet owners' sterilisation, grooming, and medical needs

Karuna Animal Welfare Association of Karnataka

The oldest organisation on this list by a wide margin. What's now Karuna began in 1888 as the Bangalore Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, formally re-registered under its current name in 2001. Their shelter at the Veterinary College campus in Hebbal houses roughly 400 animals of various species at any time and runs ambulance pickups around the clock. Karuna also operates a network of 11 branches across Karnataka state.

VOSD — Voice of Stray Dogs

Founded in 2013, VOSD has taken in over 8,000 dogs from more than 30 Indian cities, providing lifelong sanctuary care rather than rehoming — dogs stay permanently, each given a name, none ever euthanised for lack of space or resources. VOSD also built India's first canine blood bank as part of its broader hospital operation, and offers free remote veterinary and legal assistance to dog owners and rescuers across the country.

CARE — Charlie's Animal Rescue Centre

Based in Yelahanka in north Bengaluru, CARE focuses on rescue, treatment, and adoption of cats and dogs.

People For Animals, Bangalore

The Bangalore branch of India's PFA network runs three genuinely separate contact lines for three separate purposes — worth knowing which applies rather than guessing. They also run a pet cemetery service, unusual among shelters on this list.

ARRC — Avian and Reptile Rehabilitation Centre

Worth including specifically because it's a common point of confusion: ARRC does not rescue or treat dogs or cats — their focus is exclusively birds and reptiles. If you've found an injured bird rather than a dog, this is the more appropriate specialist call.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I find an injured stray dog in Bengaluru?
Call CUPA's Trauma & Rescue Centre (+91 98454 25678) or Karuna's shelter (080-2341 1181) — both run 24-hour ambulance pickups. Do not call VOSD for this; they don't offer emergency rescue.

Can I adopt a dog from VOSD?
No. VOSD's sanctuary dogs live there permanently and are never put up for adoption. For adoption, contact CUPA's Second Chance Adoption Centre or CARE instead.

Which Bengaluru shelter is the oldest?
Karuna Animal Welfare Association of Karnataka, tracing back to 1888.

What other emergency numbers are useful in Bengaluru?
Karuna's own contact page maintains a broader emergency directory worth knowing: BBMP's rabies helpline (6364 89 3322), a general animal helpline (8277 100 200), ARRC for birds specifically (9449 642 222), and the police control room for reported cruelty cases (112).

What if I find an injured bird or reptile?
Contact ARRC directly — they specialise in avian and reptile care and don't handle dogs or cats.

What about an injured cow or other large animal?
CUPA's Large Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre in Kengeri is the right call; for a large animal that's a road hazard rather than injured, BBMP's cattle and monkey catching line applies instead.