In April, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Marina and Mr. Amir Khalil from FOUR PAWS to the Blue Cross of India. This visit highlighted the deep and fruitful collaboration we have enjoyed with FOUR PAWS for nearly a decade and half.

We are immensely grateful for the invaluable support and partnership that FOUR PAWS has extended to us. This collaboration has enabled us to make significant strides in animal welfare, rescuing and rehabilitating countless animals annually.

BCI began its partnership with FOUR PAWS in 2010. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones in animal welfare across India and Southeast Asia.

Some key accomplishments of our partnership with FOUR PAWS include:

• Shelter Facilities: Establishing safe havens for a diverse range of animals across multiple locations.
• Rescue Services: Providing round-the-clock rescue services for sick or injured street animals, including complex technical rescues.
• Adoption Success: Facilitating numerous successful adoptions of dogs and cats, giving them loving homes.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC): Implementing effective sterilization programs to control street animal populations.
• Mobile Hospital: Deploying India’s first “hospital-on-wheels” for on-site treatment of street animals.
• Street Animal Feeding Program: Ensuring food for street animals during critical times, such as the COVID-19 lockdown.
• Disaster Relief: Participating in missions during natural disasters, providing essential veterinary treatments and emergency food supplies.

These achievements would not have been possible without the unwavering support and collaboration of FOUR PAWS. Their dedication and innovative solutions have profoundly impacted the lives of countless animals.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to FOUR PAWS for their continued partnership and support. The visit by Dr. Marina and Mr. Amir Khalil reaffirmed the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to advancing animal welfare in India. Together, we will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of animals in need.

20th July 2024 – Celebrating the legacy of Smt Usha Sundaram

On her 100th birthday, we at Blue Cross of India celebrate and honour the incredible legacy of our co-founder, Smt. Usha Sundaram. Her life was a remarkable tapestry of pioneering achievements and unwavering dedication to animal welfare. As India’s first female pilot, Usha’s aviation career began after moving to Bangalore with her husband, who became the Director of Civil Aviation in the Government of Mysore. She was the first graduate of the Government Flight Training School in Jakkur, and her career soared from there.

Usha started as a co-pilot to her husband, flying many of India’s leaders, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Rajendra Prasad. She continued to pilot for Nehru after her husband took up administrative duties with Tata Airlines. Her notable flights included rescue missions during the partition riots of 1947 and a speed record-setting flight from England to India in a piston-engine aircraft, which still stands today.

In 1959, Usha co-founded Blue Cross of India with her husband Capt. Sundaram, beginning in their home at T-Nagar and later incorporating in 1964. Her passion for animal welfare laid the foundation for our organization. Usha’s pioneering spirit and unwavering commitment to protecting animals have been the cornerstone of our mission. We express our deepest gratitude for her remarkable contributions, which continue to inspire and guide us. Join us in commemorating the enduring impact of her life’s work on animal welfare.

Major Donors this quarter:

We gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions received from the following donors:

• HCLFoundation
• Smt Karuna Chandrakant Kothari
• Ms. Roshni Nadar Malhotra
• TNQ Foundation
• RNBDG Foundation
• UK Online Giving
• Ms. Saraswathi Haksan
• Ms. Viji Sundaram
• MM Forgings

Your support enables us to continue our mission of promoting animal welfare and making a meaningful difference in the lives of animals in need. Thank you for your generosity and compassion.