Rescue Stories

Lily

A Journey of Resilience and Love

Lily was one of the very first cases that BDRC received, and her journey remains one of the most unforgettable ones for our team.

She was found on the streets of Bangalore around December, two years ago. A kind-hearted samaritan reported her condition, and that call changed Lily’s life forever. She was just about four years old but fighting a severe and debilitating case of Canine Distemper.

When Lily arrived at our shelter, she was in an extremely fragile state. She couldn’t walk, couldn’t eat, and was paralysed and confined to her bed for almost 5 months. Initially, we tried syringe feeding her, but she would reject it. Eventually, we had to insert a stomach tube to help her receive nutrition directly. It was a long and painful journey for her, but despite everything, there was one thing Lily never lost; her spirit. Even when she couldn’t open her eyes, even when she refused food, she would wag her tail the moment we called out her name.

With months of care, treatment, and constant support from our team, Lily slowly began to recover. After nearly 8 long months, she started showing signs of improvement. However, her gait remained unsteady, due to the lingering aftereffects of CD, and we knew it would be unsafe to release her back to the streets. Lily had also developed jaw-locking and jaw-chomping, a common complication of CD. This caused her canine teeth to dig into her jaw, leaving painful holes, and often leading food to misdirect into her nasal cavity. Because of this, Lily’s meals require careful monitoring and a special feeding routine to keep her safe.

All of Lily’s recovery happened within BDRC, with the incredible support of volunteers and staff. A volunteer from the Netherlands formed a special bond with Lily during her healing journey. Together with our team, he helped build an in-house hydrotherapy pool to support her rehabilitation. He lovingly named it Lily’s Pool.

Today, Lily continues to live at BDRC as one of our beloved residents. She is the very embodiment of resilience, showing us that with care, support, and unconditional love, even the most devastating illness can be fought. To us, Lily is not just a survivor of Canine Distemper, she is the very meaning of love, deeply attached to her BDRC family, and a reminder of why we do what we do.

Sia

160 Days of Healing and Hope

Sia came to BDRC in late 2023, and her journey with us was one of quiet strength and steady recovery. She stayed with us for about 160 days, during which she faced several challenges but also showed us how resilience and care can bring an incredible transformation.

When Sia first arrived, she was walking but unable to eat. She had severe eye and nasal discharge, and for the first week, we had to syringe-feed her to keep her nourished. Soon after, her condition worsened, and she slipped into paralysis. It was a difficult time for her—made more painful by the bedsores that developed on both sides of her body due to prolonged immobility. For nearly one and a half months, our team worked tirelessly to clean and treat her sores daily, ensuring her comfort while also beginning gentle physiotherapy.

Slowly, Sia began to respond. With continued treatment, care, and support, she regained her appetite and started eating on her own. Physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions became a turning point in her recovery. On 2nd March 2024, Sia took her first steps again—an unforgettable moment for everyone at the center.

As her health stabilized, Sia underwent the ABC surgery and was later vaccinated as well. By mid-2024, after months of treatment and rehabilitation, she was strong enough to be released back into her territory.

Sia’s journey is a testament to the power of care, patience, and persistence. From syringe feeding and paralysis to walking on her own again, she reminded us that every small step forward is a victory. Today, she continues her life in her familiar streets, healthier, stronger, and protected.

Sagar

A Role Model of Courage and Determination

In April 2025, Sagar was rescued from Nisarga Nandana Layout and brought to BDRC in a very fragile condition. What followed was a 170-day-long journey of intense care, perseverance, and healing.

When he first arrived, Sagar was active but suffered from heavy twitching, severe eye and nasal discharge, and partial paralysis. On 17th March 2025, his condition worsened as the twitching pushed him into full paralysis. The constant tremors also caused his tongue to cut, making eating extremely painful and difficult. Our team stepped in with syringe feeding to ensure he received the nutrition he needed, while beginning daily physiotherapy to help him regain some strength.

As expected with paralysis, Sagar developed painful bedsores, which required daily cleaning and treatment until May. Despite the struggles, he slowly began showing signs of improvement. A few weeks later, he managed to eat on his own again, and with physiotherapy, he started attempting to walk. At first, it was a dragging movement that caused wounds on his back legs. But with another month of therapy, by the end of June, he was able to take proper steps.

Today, Sagar has regained much of his strength and can walk steadily, though the heavy twitching remains. His journey is far from easy, but his resilience and willpower have kept him going. Now a permanent resident at BDRC, Sagar is cared for daily by our team, who remain inspired by his determination to fight through pain.