Two Years of Compassion, Commitment, and Service at Ladakh’s Largest Animal Rescue

Chamba Animal Care Center was established on 7 July, 2024 under the guidance and blessings of His Eminence Kyabje Thiksey Khenpo Rinpoche (Padma Shri Awardee) and founded by Shri Phuntsog Wangial (Jet Wangial). The Center was inaugurated by Ms. Maneka Gandhi, former Union Minister of India and prominent animal-welfare activist.

Since its inception, Chamba Animal Care Center has remained committed to the rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and protection of animals. Over the past two years, the Center has continued to expand its work and reach animals in need across Ladakh. We’re proud to share some of our achievements over the past two years!

Major Achievements

1. Rescue Operations Across Ladakh

During the last two years, the Center has rescued more than 2,500 stray and distressed dogs, averaging approximately 3–4 rescues every day.

Our rescue operations have extended across Ladakh, including Leh, Zanskar, Kargil, Changthang and Nubra, responding to animals requiring urgent rescue, medical attention and rehabilitation.

2. Medical Treatment and Care

All rescued animals requiring medical attention have been provided necessary treatment, including treatment for accidents, injuries, infections, tumours, TVT and other serious medical conditions. In many cases, treatment has been provided through private veterinary clinics, with the expenses borne exclusively by the Center.

3. Specialised Care for Canine Distemper (CDV)

One of the particularly challenging areas of our work has been caring for dogs affected by Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease.
Chamba Animal Care Center has taken special responsibility for providing isolation, medical treatment, supportive care and continuous monitoring to CDV-affected dogs. Despite the difficulties involved, our dedicated team has been able to save many lives through timely intervention and compassionate care.

4. Support Sterilisation Programme

The Center has actively supported the Government’s ongoing sterilisation programme, recognising sterilisation as an important and humane method of controlling the stray-dog population.

So far, more than 430 dogs have been sterilised, including both shelter dogs and free-roaming dogs.
The Center is committed to supporting sterilisation on a much larger scale in the coming years.

5. Regular Feeding Programme

The Center runs a regular feeding programme for stray dogs outside the shelter.

More than 700 dogs in and around Leh are being covered through this programme, with particular attention during the harsh winter months when food becomes scarce and survival becomes extremely difficult for stray animals.

6. Animals Currently Under Our Care

At present, approximately 857 dogs are under the care of Chamba Animal Care Center.

Providing food, shelter, medical care, hygiene, rehabilitation and daily attention to such a large number of animals is a major responsibility undertaken by our dedicated team.

Our Vision For The Future

The achievements of the past two years are only the beginning! Our vision is to develop Chamba Animal Care Center into a comprehensive and sustainable animal-welfare facility serving Ladakh.

1. Dedicated Veterinary Clinic

Construction of a Veterinary Clinic within the shelter premises is currently underway. Once completed, it will enable us to provide more systematic and timely medical care.

We also plan to appoint a permanent veterinary doctor and para-veterinary staff to strengthen our medical services.

2. Shelter for Large Animals

Construction of a dedicated shelter for large animals, particularly donkeys and bulls, has already commenced.
The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, subject to the progress of construction. It will provide much-needed shelter, treatment, rehabilitation and protection for large animals in distress.

3. Expansion of Sterilisation Programme

We aim to support the sterilisation programme on a much larger scale, in coordination with the Government and other stakeholders.

We firmly believe that a sustained, scientific and humane sterilisation programme is essential for the long-term management of the stray-dog population. Rescue and shelter care are necessary for animals already in distress, but systematic sterilisation is equally important to address the problem at its source.

Our Commitment

The journey of Chamba Animal Care Center over these two years has been guided by one simple principle:

“Reduce suffering, protect the voiceless and promote compassion towards all sentient beings.”

We are deeply grateful to His Eminence Kyabje Thiksey Khenpo Rinpoche, our dedicated team, volunteers, students, supporters, well-wishers, and the community for their continued trust and encouragement.

What we have achieved so far has been possible because of teamwork, dedication, compassion, and collective responsibility.

Our journey continues. Our aim is to build a stronger and more sustainable animal-welfare system for Ladakh, where every animal in distress–whether a dog, bull, donkey or any other species–can receive timely care, protection, and compassion.

Two years completed. The responsibility continues. The journey goes on. 🙏

Your Role–How to Help!

We’re blessed to have an amazing and capable team, but we can’t do this alone. It costs real money to feed these animals, fuel our ambulances, pay for top-of-the-line medical care, and pay our hardworking staff.

Every rupee, dollar, or Euro donated to Chamba Animal Care Center goes directly to ease suffering. We have a 0% administrative fee so you can rest easy knowing every donation serves the animals directly and is a true reflection of your compassion in action.

How to Donate

Within India, you can contribute by using this QR code.

From abroad, you can see more options at www.LadakhAnimalCare.com/501c3 and www.LadakhAnimalCare.com/donate. We have an active GoFundMe, a Darujme.cz, and we can accept Donor Advised Funds and contributions through our 501c3.