One man spent 10 years saving up enough money to buy himself a van that he could use as an animal ambulance to help stray and homeless dogs and cats in his city of Palu, India.
Balu offers his services to pet owners but also to animal rescues and NGOs who need sick and injured dogs and cats taken to vet hospitals, animal shelters and sometimes to his own home, if there is no room for them elsewhere.
“I keep 5 to 6 stray dogs at home — some with broken legs and paws — if there’s no room at shelters,” said Balu in the video by Open Road India.
When he first started, he wasn’t sure how things would turn out. “At first, I was a little afraid of dogs,” Balu said.
In his time rescuing pets, Balu has learned how to dress an injured animal’s wounds and give them medication to the point where veterinarians and animal agencies entrust many of their animals to his care. He also has a special touch when it comes to catching stray dogs. “The biggest job in rescuing is being able to handle and catch the dog,” says one of the animal rescuers who works with Balu. “So he’s doing a good job.”
Balu earns income to support himself and his wife by charging pet owners and NGOs around 15 cents a mile to drive their animals to the doctor. His work is much appreciated by the animal lovers he helps, although not everyone likes the work he does. Many people see homeless dogs as pests and often berate Balu for rescuing them.
But that doesn’t stop him from continuing to do what he does. He says, “Now this is my life, I cannot leave this. I will keep doing this forever.”
Watch Balu’s full story in the video below.
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