TANIA DEVAIAH
Vasco: In Mormugao, where the streets are teeming with stray animals left to fend for themselves, a quiet revolution is taking shape. With the government’s Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme stalled due to resource shortages, a determined group of volunteers has stepped in to bridge the gap. It all began with a single distress call in January 2024, when local art educator Vrinda Agarwal, a long-time caregiver for stray animals, realised the escalating crisis needed collective action – she could not single-handedly accomplish all she dreamt of. She reached out to fellow animal lovers in Vasco and surrounding areas, rallying them around a common cause. What began as a small effort soon transformed into a structured movement, bound by the conviction that every living being deserves dignity and care.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Trailblazers is now a citizen-led initiative that has grown into a network of 50 dedicated individuals striving to care for and rehabilitate community animals, driven by compassion and urgency. The group is very different from registered NGOs – it is an eclectic mix of professionals, homemakers, students, and retirees—each playing a vital role, with no other agenda – except to alleviate the suffering of their community animals.
While the members rarely meet and do not even have a group photo together, the group still functions efficiently as every single person involved is reliable, dedicated and quick to respond. Some volunteers dedicate their days to feeding, vaccinating, and sterilising stray animals, while others manage rescues, provide foster care, or coordinate medical treatment. Financial contributions from members sustain the initiative, ensuring a steady flow of resources.
Given Mormugao’s limited veterinary facilities, the group partners with People for Animals (PFA) Vasco, the only rescue and sterilisation centre in the taluka. They also source discounted medicines from Bangalore, a lifeline for treating severe skin infections and other medical conditions in stray animals.
Despite their tireless efforts, the volunteers face daunting challenges. A significant roadblock is the widespread lack of awareness about animal welfare laws. Since its inception, Trailblazers has sterilised 120 dogs and numerous cats, including through a mass sterilisation drive in partnership with PAWS Panjim. They have rescued and rehomed 35 dogs and 30 cats, many of whom were elderly, disabled, or abandoned pedigree breeds.
The financial burden of this work is significant. Over the past 14 months, the group has spent more than Rs 4.7 lakh on medical treatments, transport, and shelter expenses. To maintain transparency, donations are made directly to vendors, including veterinary clinics, medical suppliers, and transport services. Additionally, members contribute in-kind support, such as offering vehicles for transport, providing space for recovering animals, or sponsoring food expenses.
Looking ahead, the group hopes to acquire an animal ambulance and establish a dedicated recovery space for injured strays. “The future of street animal welfare depends on collective responsibility. If we don’t step up, who will?” said Sanish, a volunteer and civil engineering student who balances his studies with his work at an animal nursery.
Trailblazers are urging more citizens to get involved. “Help can come in many forms—volunteering time, fostering animals, donating resources, or simply spreading awareness,” said Vrinda Agarwal. For those looking to make a difference, Trailblazers welcomes community members, feeders, and animal lovers in Mormugao to connect with them and work towards a more humane and sustainable approach to managing the stray animal population.
