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Founders Diary

The Power of Demonstrative Love

Leslie Robinson

We're not only reducing the stray dog population in Tiruvannamalai and treating sick and injured animals of all kinds ... we're loving them too. Unless animals feel safe and loved, deep healing will not take place. For the animals that stay with us for a brief time, or for a long time, it is by far the most important blessing we can give. Our demonstrative love will stay with them the rest of their lives ...  when someone might be throwing stones, somehow they will weather the unkindness…
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Videos



Our Team


Kind things visitors say

Marcia

USA

You and the others at the shelter lived up to your high standards in the rescue of Lakshmi and the care and love given to her in her recovery and life as the shelter's cow. Very beautiful.

Pietro

Italy

It's amazing what has happened here in Tiruvannamalai in such a short time. It's more than special. It's a miracle

Ashanti

USA

I am so amazed at your commitment. Can't thank you enough for doing this work ... I'm too sensitive to pain and suffering to do it myself.

Narayani

India

I was very inspired by how you are running the sanctuary. I have worked in Calcutta, Kerala and 3 different centres in Goa. I think I mentioned being very disillusioned with the 98% mortality rate of puppies, While you have an 85% survival rate! It has really inspired me to know that places like Arunachala exist.

Sandra

Ireland

You came to mind so many times because I had the best day when we came to see you. Your place is so full of love. I never felt anything like it before. 
I also laughed a lot ... such joy.

Michelle

Netherlands

I saw the video. It is truly amazing work that you do. You are all such amazing people. I sobbed through the whole thing. I remember so clearly traveling through India and it really hurt to see animals in the state that they were but I never quite knew what to do. Then fabulous people like yourselves come along and make such a change and shine a light in the world where it is most needed.

Dev

India

Public memory is short. Few can recall the rampant stray dogs everywhere, young and aged, starving and diseased, scavenging in the garbage, fighting amongst themselves, ignored and abused by the human population, while remaining a menace to all including themselves. In four short years, the roads are more peaceful, with few strays to be seen, and the naturally loving relationship between humans and animals restored to its true state

Pet Pals

India

An animal that's rescued by Arunachala Sanctuary isn't just a patient. Leslie treats them the way people would treat a sick family member.

Ken

Canada

I've seen a lot of rescue shelters in my travels throughout Asia. This one sets the standard in every way. But most of all because this one truly understands that "love is the best medicine".

Gretchen

USA

Such wonderful work. Obviously transformative on many levels. Heart-warming. The more the word gets out, the better it is for animals and all of humanity.

Prasanna

India

I was narrating Lakshmi's rescue story to one of my clients who is a doctor (Red Cross) and an animal lover as well. She was totally taken aback, was hard for her to believe that such a place like yours even exists.

Harish

UK

I was deeply moved and thoroughly impressed.

Narayana

India

It is indeed shocking to see a group of professionals and paramedicals – headed by 73 year old American – taking care of the street animals, free of cost. What dedication.

    Our stats

    newgraph

    Shelter
    Statistics
       
    Clinic Visits 1,11,162
    InPatient Treatment 2,21,742
    Anti-Rabies Inject. 27,372
    Emergency Rescues 8,843
    Dogs Sterilized 9,902
    Animal Adoptions 1,704
    Non Dogs Treated 14,034
    ( Included in “Non-dogs treated are 4472 Cows & Calves, 3859 Sheep & Goats, 3261 Cats, 1448 Birds, 449 Rabbits and 545 Squirrels / Donkeys / Pigs / Peacocks / Parrots / Eagles / Horses / Deer / Bullocks / Snakes / Turkeys / Owls / Ducks / Mongooses / Turtles)
    Since 2007 to February 2025  

    ambulance

    Emergencies 24/7
    Call: 9442246108 / 9442344108