How this Keralam animal lover has turned her rented home into a sanctuary for rescued dogs and cats
Despite facing challenges, including relocations due to neighbour complaints, P. Shyma’s commitment remains unwavering. She advocates for better facilities for strays, urging local authorities to allocate land for shelters and highlighting the need for community support in addressing stray dog crisis
P. Shyma, a 52-year-old animal lover from Kerala, has transformed her rented home in Kozhikode into a sanctuary for rescued dogs and cats. The house, situated at Badiroor in Kakkodi grameen panchayat, is home to 46 dogs and 42 cats. Shyma, who quit a government job to care for street and abandoned animals, nurtures the animals as if they were her own children.
She has rescued hundreds of pets over the past 19 years, providing them with shelter, food, baths, and medical care. Despite facing complaints from neighbors about noise and smell, Shyma has persisted in her mission, paying ₹9,000 in rent each month. She attributes her dedication to her mother, whom she considers her "inspiration," and her son, who helps with the expenses.
The Kozhikode Corporation is also exploring ways to establish shelters for stray dogs, inviting expressions of interest from individuals and organizations.
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