Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre: India's Oldest All-animal Shelter!

Founded by Maneka Gandhi in 1980, Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC) is India's oldest and New Delhi's largest animal welfare organisation. Situated in New Delhi, this shelter was established to provide care, medical treatment, and shelter to injured, sick, and abandoned animals. 

SGACC operates with a focus on three main pillars; rescue, rehabilitation, and education. The centre takes in thousands of animals annually, ranging from dogs and cats to birds, cattle, and even wildlife. Animals suffering from injuries, diseases, abuse, or abandonment are treated with the highest standard of veterinary care. The SGACC adopts a no-kill policy and ensures that every animal, no matter how critical their condition, receives proper care and a chance at recovery.  

It is a fully equipped veterinary hospital with advanced facilities, including operation theatres, intensive care units, and diagnostic labs but the centre relies heavily on donations and community support to fund its operations, as it provides treatment at a nominal cost. Under the same wing, they offer free training and internship opportunities to veterinary students, outstation doctors, and staff from other shelters. 

In addition to healthcare, the centre focuses on rehabilitation and adoption programs. Once treated and rehabilitated, many of the animals find loving homes through SGACC’s adoption drives. They also run an ambulance service to rescue injured and abandoned animals across Delhi, responding to distress calls from citizens. It offers one of Delhi's only burial grounds for animals. 

People who want to help in their endeavour can join their team in various capacities. They can adopt an animal, volunteer with the foundation, raise funds or even sponsor animal care.