Dr. S. Chinny Krishna
Dr. Krishna, a doyen of the animal protection movement in India, has been a long term supporters of Samrakshan's work. One of the early champions of mass sterilization and vaccination of street dogs, Dr. Krishna heads the well known animal welfare charity Blue Cross of India based in Chennai and also serves on the board of directors of the World Society for the Protection of Animals. He has served in important positions over the years, including as the vice president of the Animal Welfare Board of India and on the Central Government's Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals.

Dr. Krishna was awarded the Jeev Daya Puraskar by the Government of India and the Lifetime Achievement Award for services rendered to the cause of animal welfare by the Venu Menon Animal Allies Foundation.

Harish Nim
Harish is the head of the Singapore based Emerio Corporation and has been one of Samrakshan's biggest supporters over the years. Though based abroad, he has kept up with our work and has unflinchingly bailed us out on numerous occasions with generous donations. Harish's presence has given us the confidence (some say bravado) to jump headlong into new projects knowing that we have a benefactor to fall back to.

The Team

Dr. Meghna Pandey
Dr. Pandey joined the Samrakshan team as the veterinary surgeon on February 14, 2005. She alternates her time between the two centers at Ghazipur and Prahladpur, concentrating on conducting spay and neuter operations. With her taking charge, we hope to add further momentum to our operations and reach higher targets. Dr. Pandey has helped bring greater quality and consistency in the functioning of the center, particularly with helping the animal care attendants fine tune the post operative care routine.

Amit Sharma
Amit is a volunteer at the Ghazipur unit who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Living 10 minutes away from the Ghazipur center, Amit's dream of working closely with an animal welfare organization has finally taken shape. An animal lover who begins his day by feeding a host of dogs and cows near his home, Amit has devoted long hours helping with the initial setting up of the Ghazipur facility. His energy and ability supply the drive to be able to combine his work as a marketing professional and his commitment to animal welfare.

Sujatha Deane
Sujatha is the fulcrum around which Samrakshan's animal welfare initiative is built. A tireless worker, Sujatha devotes all her after office time to coordinating the Prahladpur facility. From submitting reports to the MCD, to talking to the boys at the two centers everyday, to answering email queries, Sujatha is the lifeline of our animal welfare effort.

She diligently drives to Prahladpur every Saturday (a good 40 KM from her residence) to ferry food and to ensure that everything is in order. Sujatha has virtually single-handedly piloted the ship through the choppiest of waters. Sujatha, where would we be without you!!??

Vikas Vishwakarma
Vikas, a computer professional, Delhi is a guy for all seasons. He has been able to blend a brilliant yet practical mind to cater to our Internet needs and work at the grassroot level just as easily, be it to dash to the wholesale market for muzzle tape or working with the boys in providing post operative care at the center. Since Vikas' taking over complete charge of Samrakshan's Internet work, our updates have touched high quality and have graphics too!!! One of his many initiatives is launching of an e-group of volunteers, which is one of his many promising ideas. In a very short span Vikas has become a very big part of Samrakshan team.

Deepti Sharma
Deepti has been a very steadfast and reliable asset to Samrakshan at our Prahladpur center from its inception. She began to volunteer with total engagement and enthusiasm, tending at first to our resident dogs and then providing invaluable contribution to the day-to-day working of the center. With her keen aesthetic sense and landscaping skills, she has transformed the exterior of the Prahladpur center, complete with tree saplings and flowers.

Her second phase was working very closely with our veterinary surgeon and gaining first hand knowledge and experience of surgical and post operative procedures used in spay and neuter operations. This helped her to ably assist the staff at the center when the need arose. Her zealous monitoring has helped us maintain high standards of cleanliness and ethics. Deepti helps keep accounts at the center and also coordinates our area-wise dog catching. With all of these accomplishments, Deepti has proved to be one of Samrakshan’s best volunteer.

Vasudha Mehta
Vasudha provides support to the Prahladpur center with regular in-kind donations and assistance in emergencies that may crop up. She is also extremely supportive of any new schemes that are proposed and is always game to take them forward, win or lose. She has helped us carry through the daunting task of clearing the undergrowth and shrubbery in our back yard at the center and continues to follow through with maintenance of the land. Her dependability, enthusiasm and zeal are unmatched.

Vasudha is also working at the executive end of the organization and is Samrakshan’s representative at Society meetings and also interacts with other NGOs and representatives of the Municipal Corporation. Our work is greatly enhanced with Vasudha’s inclusion to Samrakshan.

The Spirit of Samrakshan
The workforce at the two centers embody the core of our Animal Birth Control (ABC) activities. The day begins very early morning with the staff first checking in on the dogs for any serious medical situation that may have arisen during the night. Cleaning of kennels then commences. If it is a dog catching day, the squad at Prahladpur set out to their pre-designated area to catch dogs.

Praveen is Samrakshan’s oldest employee and is based at the Prahladpur center. Praveen handles the day-to-day office work and administrative tasks. He also does all the bulk purchasing of cleaning agents and other purchases and is our main troubleshooter. A cheerful worker with solid presence of mind, Praveen has made a very valuable place for himself in the organization.

Joginder, a gentle soul with a very caring attitude towards the animals, is in the right role of looking after the welfare of the dogs during their post-operative period. He is entrusted with feeding the dogs, keeping the kennel space clean and well-ventilated and dogs supplied with water on hot, summer days. He is also the driver of our animal ambulance.

Shambhu and Santosh are the latest entrants and are based at the Ghazipur hospital. They have valiantly shouldered tremendous responsibilities associated with setting up a new animal care facility, as we have recently done at Ghazipur. Shiva is a new employee too and based at the Prahladpur center.

Ghatotkachh
How can any description of our team be complete without the mention of Ghatotkachh – the resident stray at Prahaladpur. Ghatotkachh has been rated by many as the craziest dog ever to have stalked the planet! His antics defy description and he adds wonderful colour to the centre.

A meeting with Ghatotkachh can be a memorable experience – provided you hold on to your chair!! Ghatotkachh has an uncanny affinity for installing himself upon the chairs in our Prahladpur office and it is often a losing race for the vacant chair – with Ghatotkachh having taken possession much before you can get there.

Jojo
Jojo is a pedigreed Doberman with a spinal defect, who was abandoned on our doorstep. Jojo used to be the most terrified dog in history, screaming each time he was approached by mankind (or womankind!). He has now recovered much of his health, thanks to the care of Dr. Chahal, the local vet; although his growth remains stunted. More importantly, he has recovered his faith in humanity and is now a very lovable and affectionate dog.