Panaji: Adopting local “indie” dogs can significantly improve animal welfare and strengthen community well-being, said Mission Rabies director Murugan Appupillai, who urged Goans to choose Indian stray dogs over foreign breeds. He said widespread adoption could drastically reduce the number of dogs on the streets. While Mission Rabies and several private organisations conduct adoption camps, he said the efforts remain insufficient to meet the scale of the problem.
Appupillai said Indian dogs make “excellent pets” but remain overlooked. “There are very nice dogs on the streets. If you adopt them, they will be loyal and make great companions,” he said, adding that foreign visitors often admire these dogs even as locals continue to prefer foreign breeds.
Indies, he said, have strong immunity, can live 12 to 15 years when cared for properly, and rarely suffer the chronic illnesses that commonly affect pedigree dogs. Foreign breeds, especially long-haired ones, need extensive maintenance, are prone to ticks and mites, and incur higher veterinary expenses. By contrast, Indian dogs are hardy, alert and reliable, making them ideal watchdogs.
Several animal welfare advocates echoed these views. Melisha Felcy Figueireido of Wagging Tails said adopting a puppy is an ethical choice that reduces the stray population and helps combat unethical breeding practices. Animal rescuer Maneka Jadhav said adoption directly reduces human-animal conflict by lowering the number of dogs on the streets while curbing breeding and cruelty.
DSPCA North officer and rescuer Vishvav Naik said foreign breeds are often treated as status symbols but require intensive grooming and climate-specific care, leading many owners to abandon them. He said Indian street dogs are naturally suited to the country’s weather, have strong immunity, learn quickly and require minimal upkeep.
DSPCA North officer Hanuman Gawas said adoption ensures proper vaccination, reduces the spread of disease and helps control the rapidly increasing stray population. He added that fewer strays on the streets also mean fewer accidents and a safer coexistence between people and animals.
Stray dogs, he said, are often more intelligent and loyal than high-breed pets and deserve the chance to grow in loving homes.
