Stray(ish): Promoting Adoption Over Breeding

Introduction: The Spark

It started with a simple observation; no matter which street I walked down, there was always at least one stray dog, looking hungry or injured, often ignored by everyone passing by. Around the same time, I would also see advertisements for “pure-bred” puppies being sold online for thousands of rupees. Some were advertised as ‘available for adoption’, but then were sold for thousands of rupees. The contrast was hard to ignore.

That’s what sparked my curiosity and concern: Why do people buy dogs when so many are suffering without homes?

As an animal lover and the owner of a rescue dog, I wanted to understand the deeper problem behind this imbalance. That question became the foundation of my project: Stray(ish), a campaign focused on encouraging adoption, discouraging unethical breeding, and promoting responsible pet ownership.

During my initial research, I learned that India has an estimated 60 million stray dogs, many of which live in harsh conditions. They face hunger, disease, and cruelty on a daily basis. Despite existing animal welfare laws, weak enforcement means neglect and abuse often go unpunished, possibly forever.

I also studied the impact of commercial dog breeding, where animals, especially females, are treated like machines to produce puppies for sale. Many breeders operate illegally and discard dogs once they are no longer profitable.

This is what affected me the most of them all, I have a live example right in front of me, My own dog, Nemo, a 4 year old cocker spaniel-retriever mix rescue which was left chained on a highway, all because she was subjected to multiple forced breeding attempts and they all failed. where she had no access to water or food for hours. She was then run over by a truck when she tried to escape. She now has a broken paw and a slit nose.

Talking to volunteers and workers at local shelters helped me see the issue more clearly. These shelters struggle with overpopulation because so few people choose adoption, which forces the shelter to euthanize these innocent dogs. Understanding these realities made me more determined to take action, not just feel sympathy.

Developing the Idea: Research and Design

Initially, I wanted to simply raise awareness through posters and social media, but my mentor encouraged me to design a more structured plan. That’s when I divided the project into research, outreach, and advocacy phases. I began by studying animal welfare laws, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the

Animal Birth Control program to understand what’s already being done. I connected with a nearby animal shelter to collect firsthand information and feedback.

Through discussions with my mentor and peers, I realized that my project should not only inform people but also empower them to act, by volunteering, adopting, or spreading awareness themselves. This shift from awareness to engagement made my approach much stronger.

The Outcome

The main outcome of my project is a structured awareness and advocacy campaign called Paws Without A Home.

Each week, I dedicate three sessions to project work; researching, designing materials, and participating in adoption or awareness drives. I’ve created digital posters and presentations to be used in schools and online, aiming to reach people who might otherwise consider buying pets.

My project also promotes the message of “Adopt, Don’t Shop” through school events and small-scale community collaborations.

The long-term goal is to expand this into a student-driven initiative that connects local shelters with volunteers and adoption-seeking families.

Reflection

Working on this project taught me how interconnected issues of awareness, law, and

compassion really are. I learned that improving animal welfare isn’t just about rescuing animals, it’s also about changing human attitudes.

One of my biggest challenges was organizing information and finding reliable data. Speaking with shelter workers helped me see the difference between theory and practice. I also learned to balance emotional motivation with factual research.

This project helped me develop skills in communication, leadership, and collaboration, while also deepening my sense of responsibility toward community issues. It showed me that advocacy can start small but still make an impact.

Looking Ahead: The Next Step

The next step for Paws Without A Home is to expand the campaign and collaborate with more local shelters. I plan to design interactive sessions in schools to teach students about adoption and pet care.

In the future, I also want to intern in the field of social entrepreneurship to learn how marketing and management skills can help scale welfare initiatives. My goal is to turn this project into a sustainable model that connects awareness, education, and action on a larger level.

At Keystone International School, we nurture students who think critically, design purposefully, and lead with empathy. Projects like Stray(ish) reflect the values we cultivate every day—creativity, social responsibility, and a commitment to meaningful real-world problem-solving.

If you want your child to learn in an environment where ideas are encouraged, innovation is celebrated, and character development is integral to learning, we invite you to explore our programmes.

Blog written by,

Aadya Ralhan

Grade 9