Dharamsala Animal Rescue

DAR (Dharamsala Animal Rescue) is a truly wonderful organization helping animals in Dharamsala, India. I traveled to Dharamsala in 2011 and was so disheartened by the plight of the animals who suffer in the streets. I live in The States and have personally been heavily involved in animal rescue in the past and I recognize good rescue organizations that operate with integrity. DAR is in that category. I have been a financial and social media supporter of DAR for a few years now because they are an honest and deeply compassionate organization that does the real work needed to reduce animal suffering. Please consider supporting DAR in any way you can. Your foreign money tends to go a really long way in India due to favorable exchange rates meaning that your donations help a lot of animals.

DAR is a wonderful organization that makes the world a better place for animals and people. The DAR team have helped over 17,500 animals since Deb started the charity. I have had the honor of meeting Deb and she is an inspiration. The rabies vaccinations and sterilization of dogs has massively reduced the human/animal conflict and this has no doubt save lives. The team do wonderful work and keep me updated on the dogs I sponsor will regular emails and I especially love my valentines day cards from the dogs. DAR always need extra sponsors and any money you provide will always go to the reduction of suffering.

Incredibly impressed with DAR and Deb. I worked for the largest animal sanctuary in the US and discovered they were not who they said they were. Since then, I've only recommended donating to a rescue you can visit and see where your money goes. DAR was the first long-distance rescue I've supported since 2000.

I’m so grateful for the work DAR does. I’ve been to India a few times now and it does break my heart to see the animals, dogs especially, sick and or injured in some way. I completely trust DAR to have their wellbeing and health prioritised.

"When I first came to Dharamsala, one of the things I noticed was all of the street dogs - sleeping on temple doors, in alleys, and beside the wild cows. They were adorable and everyone took lots of pictures. But they were also filthy and starving. They inspired benevolence, because I saw people feeding them out of the kindness of their hearts, but feeding them people food, not dog food.

I believe real compassion is relieving the suffering of sentient beings by serving their needs, not our own. They need shelter, healthy food, vaccines, and medical care. They need the same unconditional love and care that they would offer us. This is the important mission of DAR and why I have been a committed donor since 2012."

Marsha Morma

I visited India several ago for my stepson’s wedding. In Mumbai and in Goa, I encountered the street dogs I’d heard so much about. As a dog lover, adopter, and volunteer for my local rescue group in CT, I needed to find out what I could do to help these animals.

My internet search quickly led to me Dharamsala Animal Rescue, DAR. I was heartened to learn about the work they do, under the leadership of Deb Jarrett and her extraordinary teams on the ground in India.

One of the most heartbreaking things I observed in India was the way street dogs are treated by some in the local communities. Indifference at best and outright cruelty at worst. I know that changing people’s attitudes and actions requires humane education and I was again lifted up to learn about DAR’s compassionate and effective efforts in that regard.

On other critical fronts, DAR works to eradicate rabies, treat illnesses and injuries, provide food and to manage and improve the health of the stray dog populations. What’s more, DAR has established partnerships with other India NGOs to help expand their work and have even greater impact.

I began a monthly contribution to DAR a couple of years ago and I try in addition to support special efforts when I can. I encourage everyone to explore the Dharamsala website to learn more about this extraordinary organization and the great work they do. It is truly uplifting to see the good that can be accomplished for creatures who need us in the world.

I have supported Dharamsala Animal Rescue for almost 10 years now and I am grateful for the work that they do. Their Instagram account faithfully (and often heart-breakingly) documents their work to heal, vaccinate and spay/neuter street dogs in Dharamsala. They are also working to change the culture by educating the community and visiting schools to demonstrate to children that dogs aren’t enemies but friends who need their compassion. I have a friend in the US who works with DAR and visits once a year so I know the organization is sincere and effective. My American dollars go so far and do so much good in India - it is heartening to know that my support has a real effect.

I came across Dharamsala Animal Rescue in 2016 when I was making a documentary film on the suffering of the street dogs in India. I had met a volunteer who had worked there and interviewed her for my film. I was very impressed with the genuine dedication of the staff to the welfare of the suffering dogs. My admiration for this animal rescue has only grown throughout the years. They care about every single dog who is ill, injured or homeless. The stories are very heart warming! The stray dog population in India continues to expand and it is out of control. This organization needs to flourish and be supported. Dogs (and cats) are very dear to my heart and it is up to human beings to look after them to the best of our ability. I pray that one day a very wealthy donor (who by the way, will not take a penny of their money to heaven) will help them. Please support Dharamsala Animal Rescue!!!

I was traveling in India when the pandemic hit and the lockdown was implemented. I was staying in a place not too far from Dharamsala for 4 months during the lockdown. I had the privilege to regularly connect with the local street dogs and feed them when I could. They became my friends during this crazy time and truly were such precious and loving souls. After returning back to Canada, I was thrilled to learn about DAR and how there was this amazing organization set up in Dharamsala to help care for the street dogs, providing medical care, food, vaccinations, etc. I feel honoured to be able to contribute to this very worthy cause. I have since become the proud sponsor of precious Teddy, one of their adorable dogs they care for. It truly takes a village to do this kind of work. I am grateful for the founder Deb Jarrett and all the dedicated staff there and volunteers! If I do return back to India, I would love to meet them in person and spend some time volunteering.

The Dharmsala Animal Rescue is a legitimate and genuine NGO that is committed to the rescue, care and rehabilitation of stray dogs in India. DAR does not only care about the well-being of their dogs but also those who are involved with supporting their operations. As an international donor, I feel comfortable and involved in DAR’s mission in India thanks to their transparency, efficiency and trustworthiness. Their commitment to each animal's welfare is incredible and they go above and beyond to ensure that every creature in their care receives the attention, love and support they deserve. Their tireless efforts in finding forever homes for these animals are truly commendable.
I am grateful for DAR for giving our furry friends a second chance at living a better life and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone looking to volunteer, adopt, or donate to do so with DAR. I hope I can come to India one day to volunteer.

DAR are sadly, a much needed organisation. With the cultural perceptions around street dogs, often being less than positive, and too often the advice of elders is to throw stones at them, or abuse them in some other way, it is fortunate for the street dogs, that there IS someone there to tend to them and nurse them back to health after this abuse. They also get hit by cars and left at the scene. DAR are there to rescue them.
DAR are providing educational sessions in the community to increase local knowledge, and hopefully the next generation will be kinder and more understanding of the plight of street animals, whoa re there through no fault of their own.
Spay/neuter programs are also an important part of DAR's work, as that prevents the number of unwanted puppies and kittens on the street in the first place. That can only lead to better outcomes for everyone.

I would highly recommend 'Dar' to anyone who loves dogs and who really wants to help. This is considered a remote location unlike rescue sites in Mexico for example. You can provide help from far, far away, and not quite be so hands on. There are videos to check out what they do and how they can provide care for these animals. Ask Deb for more information and she will be able to answer most all of your questions. Sponsor a dog like we did, now we have five.

I started regularly donating to DAR almost 3 years ago. I have my own dog to thank for giving to animal based charities. Prior to having my own fur baby, I didn't pay much attention to animal charities and would not have classed myself as an animal lover. Fast forward a few years and I cannot imagine a world without dogs (or most animals come to that).
With DAR, there are a variety of ways to donate - you can sponsor a dog, or donate monthly or a one-off. You can also order food, toy etc. based on their wish list on Amazon. So there is flexibility in how and what you give. Regular updates from the DAR team and Deb Jarrett, the founder, writes and visits regularly.
Getting monthly totals on number of dogs vaccinated against rabies, dogs rescued, neutered etc., is what I appreciate because one can see the impact DAR is having on its surroundings and environment. Educating children is a great way to affect a change in peoples attitude to dogs and animals in general.
I would also love to have the opportunity to volunteer at DAR one day. The ability to really be a part of the charity is personally very appealing to me. I believe DAR is doing many good things and I hope to be able to continue to contribute in a small way for as long as I am able.
With sincere best wishes to the team at DAR and pawsitive vibes to all the dogs that interact with DAR!

I am Dr Hargun Singh and I am a practicing veterinarian and I had recently volunteered with Dharamsala Animal Rescue. I volunteered as a veterinary surgeon and was a part of the whole team of DAR. I had a great experience both professionally and personally because of such a compassionate and driven team at DAR. Everyone knew what their role was, following a good standard of care towards the animals, and having compassion and love for the animals. The whole atmosphere at DAR was very nice and the team had great understanding and bond with each other. I along with the other doctors performed many animal birth control surgeries and also did treatments for the admitted patients. There were also rescue cases and emergency cases that were presented and we were able to provide the most preferred treatment along with supportive care. Everything went very smoothly for me during my small visit but the impact was huge. I do wish DAR the very best and I hope to keep visiting them again and again in service of the voiceless.
My warmest regards to the whole DAR team

"Out of the 8bn+ people on this world, maybe 10% (800mn) are animal lovers, and wish well for the animal population on earth. 60% (480mn) of those have assumed guardianship of a pet (maybe dog, maybe turtle) for reasons other than livestock rearing or animal husbandry, the rest crave a peaceful coexistence… but from a distance.

Out of those, 40% (192mn) take the time to care (even temporarily) for their friend or acquaintance’s pet/animal in times of need, the rest love their pet to the moon, but are unfortunately not able to devote more time to other animals, with the hard realities of earning a livelihood and going through the motions of life taking precedence. Maybe 10%(19.2mn) take the time to volunteer or undertake actions in any capacity (big or small) to improve the conditions of other uncared for animals. Feeding a street dog. Keeping a makeshift shelter outside their home in freezing climates. You get the gist.

And a fractional 10% of those (19,20,000) …make it their life’s work and mission to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, speak for those who cannot advocate for themselves. The golden people at DAR are exactly such kinds of beautiful souls. A lot of us consider ourselves animal activists, wanting to save ALL animals, alleviate the suffering of EACH and EVERY dog. But get overwhelmed, not knowing where to begin. Because there are more, there are ALWAYS more.

However NOTHING unnerves the leadership and humans at DAR. They know, you have to start somewhere. They recognize, it will never be possible to save EVERY Dog, but you do what you can, for whoever you can. Saving even one dog matters. Calmly but steadfastly, they march ahead, winning hearts and holistically changing attitudes by ending the suffering of street dogs… one dog at a time. Following a one size fits one approach.

Dharamshala is truly blessed to have the founder Debra Jarrett choose this town to set operations and have such a relentless workforce man it. Goes without saying, my husband and I will forever be thankful to Richard, Pratibha and the entire DAR team to allow us to witness and learn from their unyielding passion, and for such a fulfilling experience. And the actual Superstars of DAR, the smart, stupid, silly, sassy, floofy mad, adorable Desi Doggos themselves, will forever hold a place in my heart

" I came to volunteer at DAR for just over 2 weeks as a newly graduated vet from the UK. From the very first email I sent inquiring about organising my visit, Richard from DAR made it all very easy with advice on accommodation and transport. I stayed with a local family as recommended on the charity website (Pahari Niwas homestay) who welcomed me into their lovely home, showed me around and looked after me very well. It made my trip very authentic with daily homemade traditional, and delicious, dishes. I would highly recommend staying here.
My volunteering experience was truly amazing. All the staff were so kind to me and, in terms of my vet training, I learnt a lot from the 2 experienced vets there, alongside all the other staff, who were always happy to answer any questions I had. Despite it being monsoon season and thus quieter with fewer sterilisations and rescues, each day was filled with exciting tasks. The mornings began with inpatient treatments, which involved medicating around 30 dogs and any wound care, and then any rescue cases and surgeries would fill up the rest of the day. I performed neutering surgeries every couple of days, with all the support and help from the 2 vets as needed which was great to improve my surgery skills. Rescue cases ranged from maggot wound cases, road traffic accidents, dog fight injuries and infectious diseases to name the most common. I was able and encouraged to get involved in anything and everything I wanted to and there was never a lack of dogs to cuddle or play with. Lunch was cooked fresh daily for us and was absolutely delicious and plenty of Chai was readily available.
It felt very rewarding to be able to help these animals, knowing you were making such an impact to their lives and the wider local stray dog population. I am in awe of all the staff at DAR and all their hard work, the charity is very admirable and i feel very proud to have been even a tiny part of it. It was an experience I’m truly grateful for and one I’ll never forget. Thank you for having me, Ina

Dr. shameem is so hardworking and friendly and also Ms. Pratibha is so enthusiastic towards her work. She is very friendly and kind and so all the staff who works there.

My experiences—all of them amazing—with Dharamsala Animal Rescue began 10 years ago when my husband and I were visiting McLeod ganj for the first time and street dogs were new to us. There was a dog in need of help outside our room and we didn't know what to do. A neighbor told us to call DAR, which we did. A competent and caring crew came and took over the situation. We asked what did we owe them and were told nothing but we could make a donation, which we also did. That was just the beginning of what has become a sustainable relationship for me because I have developed the deepest respect for the work that is needed, the professional dedication and loving care that are provided and so much more. Over the years since that introduction I have made donations and done volunteer work wherever, whenever and however I can and will continue to do so.

We had such a great experience working with this organization and have an ABSOLUTELY adorable, sweet doggo now. Would never go back.

Had a great experience volunteering and doing spay and neuter surgeries at Dharamshala Animal Rescue. Thank you DAR staff for being so accommodating.

Dr. Robin Sandhu

This rescue is doing amazing things for dogs in India. Not only do they help dogs in dire need due to illness or injury, their spay/neuter and vaccination programs, as well as education programs help to decrease unwanted dogs and change the attitudes of people living in this area of India. This change helps all dogs living in the area as it has lead to a decrease in abuse, injury, and suffering as they are beginning to be fed and treated more humanely by the citizen in the area.

We have adopted 2 dogs from Dharamsala Animal Rescue (DAR) and the love and care they have shown is so evident. Without DAR my 2 loving dogs surely would have never survived. The internation adoption process was so well organized done in the least traumatic way possible.

The dedication and passion from the founder of DAR as well as the amazing staff make Dharamsala Animal Rescue not only a great non-profit, but in my eyes the very best non-profit I’ve ever experienced.

What an amazing and inspiring organization! I am grateful to be able to support the incredible work they do for the street dogs of Dharamsala. It seems to be an impossible challenge, but they are able to rescue, spay/neuter, provide rabies shots and educate the community. This is a service to the people and animals of Dharamsala. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the wonderful work you do to make the world a better place.

I adopted my dog Bowie from this organization and it was an amazing experience. They worked with a third party travel organization to fly him from India to Canada safely. He’s the most gentle, intelligent, loving companion I could of ever asked for and I couldn’t thank Dharamsala Animal Rescue enough for all the work they do for street dogs in their community. They make such a huge difference in these animals lives.

My husband and I were sent by our company to work for 1 1/2 years in Delhi in January 2017. We were very aware cows were free to wander the country, but I was not prepared for bearing witness to the desperate and often cruel existance of the street dogs.
Through social media I became connected to a wonderful expat, Meredith Allen who was leaving Delhi but very disappointed she had not had the opportunity to visit DAR. This peaked my interest. When I saw Deb Jarrett on TedxTalk I made the decision to collect medical supplies and visit DAR myself.
DAR is a life experience I will cherish forever. Paid staff and volunteers alike met every morning to address the care of all the animals listed on the white board. Again, both paid and unpaid staff were assigned their duties for the day and then the work began.
Walking dogs, grooming, checking for ticks, feeding, and if course giving loving touches to the animals at the centre. My highlight was going out into the surrounding communities with the outreach Mobile Unit responding to calls from local residents for assistance in the street dogs they were caring for.
This short review cannot adequately describe the professionalism selflessness compassion and beauty Deb and her team live each and everyday caring for animals in their care.

I

In October 2017 I volunteered at DAR for a month. It was one of the best times of my life! They do such great work and adopted me as one of their own. I still talk to them regularly and miss them, the shelter and the dogs a lot. Due to financial reasons I still haven't been able to make the trip back. But as soon as there is a possibility, I will get on a plane and go back to DAR! They are my farawayfamily...

I signed up to volunteer with this organization for 2-3 weeks and I ended up volunteering for 7 months in various capacities. DAR exceeded my expectations for an animal rescue in general and even more so for such in organization in a country like India where these types of organizations are generally mismanaged. DAR employs locals from the community, which makes their outreach so much more effective. Their programs of rescue, education, birth control/anti-rabies and mobile vet services are a holistic approach to animal welfare. The staff are amazing and they genuinely care about each and every animal.

DAR is a well equipped organisation and provides excellent treatment and shelter for sick and injured dogs. The aim is to release dogs once they are fit back onto the street from the same area they came from, and therefore avoid hoarding of animals. The dogs are vaccinated and dewormed on entry, and desexed before they leave. They also have a desexing program where doga are caught, vaccinated and released back in an attempt at dog population management.
The staff are attentive and it is obvious that everybody loves animals. The dog's look rather content as they are not generally confined in cages and are allowed to have room to roam around and play with each other, lie in the sun and laze around while they heal from their ailments.

For vets and vet nurses it is interesting as it has quite a varied caseload, and for non vets it is rewarding as you get to spend time with injured dogs and help with their treatments such a physiotherapy, medicated baths, grooming etc. You also get to walk dogs in the middle of the beautiful mountains where the shelter is situated. Often there are puppies that need a fair bit of cuddling due to their young ages. Plus seeing the dogs look happy in a shelter is always a refreshing sight.
Highly recommend this shelter to anyone.

Dharamsala Animal Rescue (DAR) has grown and accomplished a tremendous amount over the three years that I have been involved with the NGO. The staff members are always looking to improve the way that they can alleviate the suffering of the animals in their community and care. Each member tries to improve themselves by learning from more experienced vets that come to visit and share their knowledge. Despite being a relatively small team of only 13 staff, including management, DAR manages to run 5 successful programs; street animal rescue, mobile clinic, animal birth control-ARV, Adoption, and Education. The care and love shown to the animals during their treatment and stay at the clinic is evident in the fact that during their stay the street dogs go hiking off-leash and always return. In addition, several dogs have voluntarily returned to the clinic after being released back into their own community when they have fully recovered.
DAR will continue to grow, and improve through ongoing training of staff, ensuring that each animal that is seen by DAR gets the best possible care.
Located in a small rural village, the clinic is surrounded by forest, hills, and nature, meaning that the animals are able to recover in peace, escaping the overcrowded busy streets where many of them live.

DAR has amassed much trust and legitimacy within a community which often views non profits with suspicion. It has become a household name in animal care. This has only been achieved through showing endless sympathy and professionalism, and through a well functioning internal structure which keeps DAR running and also makes it accessible, even to concerned youth and children of the area.
My volunteer experience at DAR was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The work environment and mutual respect as well as the dedication of each employee towards the cause of helping animals made for a truly enriching time.

I interned with DAR in September 2016 and ever since then I am in love with this place. Their values and style of working is inspirational. While interning with DAR, I was given the opportunity to learn a lot of ground work rescues, first aid, animal behavior which is helping me till date. I always wanted to work for animal and dedicate my life for their betterment and DAR was one such platform which took me closer to my aim. All the members and supporters of this organisation are driven by a singular goal of animal liberation and this has inspired me to work with the same spirit as theirs.

I have known about Dharamsala Animal Rescue since 2013 when visiting India for the first time although I didn't get a chance to visit them while there. I became a facebook friend and have been in awe of the work they do with all the animals that they help. I have also really been impressed with how there seems to be a family atmosphere there with everyone who works or volunteers with them.

My involvement came earlier this year when I became aware that there was a group of dogs living in a bus shelter in Dharamsala that needed vaccinating, animal birth control and other treatments.

The problem at the time was that Tibet Charity who would normally manage that area were without a vet and unable to perform any surgeries.

I contacted Deb at Dharamsala Animal Rescue to see if they would be able to treat and perform animal birth control surgeries on these dogs if my friends and I could contribute to the cost.

Without hesitation, Deb agreed that this could be done.

I don't believe that it was an easy exercise as the team from DAR had to travel up to Dharamsala and then attempt to catch this particular group of dogs. They made return visits to catch the dogs as some were not used to human contact and were not easy to catch.

DAR kept me updated with photos and emails to show the progress.

I will always be grateful to DAR for going to such a great effort to help this group of dogs.

DAR is an excellent facility with staff as amazing as the resident babies there.
Not only are all the babies very well taken care of, they go for daily walk as well.
Keep it up team DAR. The attention given to each baby is not easy but you all do it so effortlessly..

I love working for this NGO! the tireless work the guys do on the ground is so powerful and the team are so passionate about what they do. And the impact it is having in the community to the quality of life of the street animals is amazing.

Skill, love and sincere dedication come together here to provide the absolute best care for the animals. A tremendous pleasure seeing this wonderful team in action.

I've been volunteering here for a few months now and I'm having an amazing time.

Working with the animals is a great pleasure and the staff are always so helpful.

A truly wonderful place and a safe haven for Indians strays.