A Woman’s Fight for the Rights of Pune’s Street Dogs

Suvarna Pasare, a dedicated animal advocate who has co-founded the Make New Life NGO in Pune to provide medical care and sanctuary for vulnerable street dogs. Suvarna’s philosophy of compassion and natural harmony advocates for the fundamental right to life for all creatures.

Filling a Critical Gap in Animal Care

Suvarna noticed a heartbreaking disparity in the veterinary world. While domesticated pets with owners receive privileged treatment, destitute stray dogs are often put down because they lack a permanent caretaker. Drawing on her experience with human paralysis cases, Suvarna refused to accept this. She knew that with the right care, accident and paralysis victims could hope for a better future.

What started twenty years ago in Chauhan Nagar faced significant community resistance. However, supported by her husband, Arun—who brings a background in pharmacy—the mission grew. In 2016, their efforts were legally registered as the "Make New Life Hospital," a no-killer shelter dedicated to providing free medical assistance and a safe haven for sick and injured animals. This NGO is located in Kasarsai, near Hinjewadi in the outskirts of Pune. Suvarna stays here too. 

The no-kill shelter has given a new life to many strays.

From Human Nursing to Animal Advocacy

A remarkable transformation is taking place for the city’s most vulnerable inhabitants. For Suvarna, the mission is simple yet profound: if humans deserve a right to heal and live, why shouldn't animals? Through their shelter services she along with her husband have turned a personal passion for healing into a 24-hour lifeline for thousands of stray dogs.

Suvarna’s journey began not in a kennel, but in the field of human medicine. With a background in nursing and naturopathy, she mastered alternative therapies such as physiotherapy, massage, hydrotherapy, and magnet therapy for humans. Her foundational realization was powerful: "If I can contribute towards the healing of humans, can I not help heal animals through touch and love?".

This transition wasn't without its obstacles. In a society where domestic duties often limit women’s participation in such ventures, Suvarna had to fight against many odds, including resistance from her own family. Initially, she conducted her rescue work covertly, driven by an inability to witness a street dog in turmoil without acting.

Today, the one-acre land is a shelter to approximately 550 dogs. Despite the high number of residents, the atmosphere is one of "natural harmony" rather than distress. Suvarna attributes this peace to the bond of love and timely care, noting that none of the animals are wailing or irritated. The facility operates as a 24-hour service ensuring help is always available for SOS calls regarding road accidents, infection, disease or abandonment. Thousands of strays have been sterilized to help control the population and almost 500 dogs have found forever homes through adoption. 

Suvarna believes the animals have a right in this world.

A Vision for the Future of Street Dogs

Operating an NGO of this scale is a constant effort. The Pasare couple fund the shelter through donations, corporate CSR activities, without disturbing their own primary professions. Suvarna is also an authorized caretaker approved by Maneka Gandhi’s NGO, which has helped streamline their advocacy efforts.

Suvarna’s dream extends beyond the walls of her current facility. She envisions a world where the community understands that all animals have a right to live. She advocates for government agencies to consult with animal enthusiasts when creating regulations. By befriending animals and understanding their needs, she argues, the government could save resources and prevent the "cruel act" of traditional catching methods. She believes that using a net for catching animals is the most inhuman and aggressive way of dealing with these creatures. 

Having experienced how to run a shelter for so many animals over the last two decades, she holds an opinion against the recent Supreme court directive of ‘No Release’ Policy of stray dogs in Delhi. She expressed that it is practically impossible to shelter so many dogs under one roof. She is afraid that this enforcement is likely to invite unforeseen problems. Especially because there is not trained staff to handle these strays. 

Compassion is a natural and motherly instinct, and at Make New Life, it is the fuel that keeps the doors open. Suvarna's story serves as a reminder that with enough dedication, we can bridge the gap between human and animal welfare, one life at a time. 

Under the legal recognition of prominent welfare groups, this initiative continues to serve as a vital lifeline for hundreds of stray dogs in need of a permanent home.