Every civilized society should take care of stray animals. Considerate attitude and compassion towards stray animals is one of the important signs of civilization.
Even in the times of Mourya Emperor Ashoka, we find from the edicts of emperor Ashoka that many centers to look after and treat animals existed.
A society where most individuals think only of gratifying selfish self interests is a low grade society, even if that society is wealthy in financial aspects.
The philosophy to taking care of animals with compassion is found in Buddha’s teachings and Chitanya Mahaprabhu the great Vaishnav Saint said that one who renders "seva" or service for "Jiva", (that includes humans and animals) serves God.
Taking care of stray animals in a sincere and regular way is one of the best ways of earning good Karma.
No one can do all the good in the world, but every one has the ability to do a great amount of good if he or she wants to do so. The will to take care of stray animals is a positive attitude that should be appreciated and nurtured.
A huge amount of wealth and resources are wasted for ego satisfaction through perverted ostentatious life style in human society by people who call themselves wealthy, yet without the development of compassion or "karuna" for the sake of compassion, in their characters, such wealthy but unfeeling people are perverts only.
Perverts without compassion can not be called successful by any true standard as they are deprived of one of the most important and basic human qualities.
Taking care personally of stray animals on a regular basis not only builds a better and safer social atmosphere, but also develops the mental faculties of the person rendering such positive and dedicated service.
The cultivation of patience and compassion is important for the development of human nature. I have found that love is the greatest universal quality, and stray animals when looked after will show overflowing love, for the person who really cares for them.
Our canine welfare center is based on this philosophy.

My mother Dr. Kalyani Pramanik and I had been caring for stray and helpless dogs since 1968 in Calcutta. I was a school student at that time and my love for animals was encouraged by my kind hearted mother who was an animal lover herself.
A stray dog in a city or in any village lead an uncaredfor miserable life, and is a social problem if not taken care of in a proper way.
Understanding the basic truth of life, that it is proper to maintain programmes to care for and check the breeding of stray dogs, is necessary in any civilized society.
From the Mesolithic age, man has domesticated dogs. The canine species are the first amongst all domesticated animals. They had been man's companions and friends for thousands of years and have remained with human habitats as their evolution into present forms have been caused by man.
It is healthy for any environment to have stray animals properly cared for. There are institutions such as Indian Society for Prevention of cruelly to Animals, but judging from their track record in the context of reality, I can not place much or any faith on them.
Only when sensitive and understanding people take up the work of looking after helpless stray dogs voluntarily, this problem is tackled in a humane way.
My mother Dr. Kalyani Pramanik and I had been doing just that in addition to our other work for decades. When I came to Bhamlada I brought seventeen dogs in dog boxes on truck with me. In West Bengal, the concept of caring for stray dogs is not uncommon and may people love and care for stray dogs. There are quite a few animal welfare societies that work without the thought of making money from this labour of love.
Yet in Northern India it is rare to find anyone with enough sensitivity or love for animals to care for stray dogs. The concept of sincere labour of love for helpless animals in a serious and selfless manner is new here, so many people here may not understand the need of such service.
At present we have fifteen inmates at canine care centre at Bhamlada. This is the first and only canine care centre in Dhar Block. Mr. Arup Chandra and myself feed, clean and care for the dogs. When one thinks of the immense work load we have already, it seems nearly an impossible task, but as it is a labour of love, we never grudge it.
Moreover, we are amply rewarded by the real love shown to us by grateful canine companions, here in Bhamlada.
Prabal Pramanik

by Prabal Pramanik (Transalated by Surjit Thakur)