Manali Strays Giving Hope to Thousands of Stray Animals in the Himalayas

Nestled in the Himalayan region of northern India, the town of Manali is known around the world for its snow-covered mountains, flowing rivers, waterfalls and adventure tourism. Every year thousands of visitors travel to this picturesque valley surrounded by apple orchards and dramatic landscapes. Yet beyond the beauty that attracts travelers from across the globe lies another reality that often goes unnoticed—the lives of stray animals struggling to survive on the streets.

For many of these animals, especially street dogs, survival depends on chance and the compassion of people willing to help them. Over the past several years, one grassroots animal welfare initiative has quietly been transforming the lives of these animals. That initiative is Manali Strays, an organization that has become a lifeline for thousands of stray animals in the Himalayan region.

Manali Strays was founded in 2019 by Kamlesh, an Indian animal welfare worker, and Becky, a British national who frequently visited Manali and shared a deep love for animals. Their idea was simple—to rescue, treat and protect stray animals that had little or no access to veterinary care. The initiative began in the village of Haripur, just outside Manali, surrounded by apple orchards and small farming communities.

Kamlesh had always been deeply connected to animals. After completing a diploma in veterinary sciences, he decided to dedicate his life to animal welfare. Before starting Manali Strays, he worked with another animal welfare organization where he handled rescue and treatment cases from different parts of the country. During that time he frequently received cases from Manali and nearby areas. Many of the animals were injured, sick or neglected, and there were very limited veterinary services available to help them. Witnessing this situation convinced him that the region needed a dedicated rescue initiative.

Becky, who shared the same compassion for animals and regularly visited Manali, joined hands with Kamlesh to start the initiative. A local resident, Buddhi Ram, also supported them in the early stages and helped establish the groundwork for what would eventually become Manali Strays.

The early days of the organization were extremely challenging. The team had very limited resources and no permanent facility where animals could be treated. Kamlesh often traveled across villages on his motorcycle carrying basic medicines, bandages and first-aid supplies. Whenever someone reported an injured dog or animal, he would rush to the location and provide treatment on the roadside.

To make rescue easier, the team also started a helpline number so that residents and tourists could report injured or sick animals. In the beginning the helpline received only two to five calls a day, but as awareness about their work grew, more and more people started reaching out. Today the organization receives around 50 to 60 calls every day, showing how widely the service is now relied upon by the local community.

Soon after the organization began its work, the COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism in Manali to an abrupt halt. Normally the town remains busy with tourists, and many stray dogs survive by feeding on leftover food from hotels and restaurants. When lockdowns forced businesses to close and tourists stopped arriving, the streets suddenly became quiet and food sources for hundreds of street dogs disappeared almost overnight.

Kamlesh and his team quickly realized the scale of the crisis. Many stray dogs were becoming weak and malnourished because they could no longer find food. In response, the team began organizing feeding drives across the town. With the support of local residents and volunteers, they started distributing food to stray dogs while continuing rescue and medical treatment for injured animals.

As the number of animals needing help increased, the team realized that they needed a proper facility. They eventually leased a piece of land in Haripur village to establish their rescue and treatment center, where injured animals could be treated, vaccinated and kept for recovery.

Over the years, Manali Strays has grown significantly. What once began as a small two-person initiative has now developed into a team of around 15 dedicated members who work together to rescue, treat and care for animals across the region.

Running an animal rescue organization in a mountainous region comes with many challenges, particularly financial ones. To sustain their work, Manali Strays raises funds through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, donations from individuals, and support from animal lovers and the local community. These contributions help the organization manage daily operational costs such as medical supplies, rescue operations, feeding programs and animal care.

Natural disasters have also tested the resilience of the organization. In recent years parts of Himachal Pradesh faced severe floods in 2023 and again in 2025, creating difficulties for many communities in the region. Despite these challenges, the team continued their rescue work and ensured that animals received the care they needed.

Over the past several years, the organization has made a remarkable impact on animal welfare in the region. According to the team, Manali Strays has vaccinated more than 9,000 animals so far. In addition, more than 5,000 stray dogs have been sterilized through different sterilization campaigns. These programs play an important role in controlling the street dog population in a humane and sustainable way while also improving animal health.

The rescue center in Haripur has gradually evolved into a well-equipped facility. The center now includes a dog care and recovery shelter where injured animals can rest during treatment. It also has diagnostic equipment such as X-ray facilities and a fully functional operation theatre where sterilization surgeries and other medical procedures are performed.

To respond quickly to emergency situations, the organization now operates three rescue ambulances. These vehicles allow the team to reach injured animals quickly and transport them safely to the treatment center. The ambulances also enable the organization to conduct rescue operations in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.

Manali Strays does not limit its work only to Manali town. Many nearby Himalayan villages have little or no access to veterinary care. To address this gap, the organization regularly conducts outreach programs in remote mountain communities, including vaccination drives, sterilization camps and rescue missions.

Another important aspect of their work is promoting adoption of stray dogs. Through its adoption program, Manali Strays helps rescued dogs find safe and loving homes. After receiving treatment, vaccination and sterilization, dogs that are suitable for adoption are placed with responsible families.

The organization also contributes to veterinary education. Manali Strays has partnered with the Indian Veterinary Student Association, allowing veterinary students to visit the facility each year for on-the-job training. During their training, students gain hands-on experience in animal rescue, treatment, surgery and community animal welfare work.

Alongside rescue and medical care, the organization also focuses on spreading awareness about compassion toward animals. The team encourages local communities to treat stray animals with kindness and to support their care whenever possible.

From its humble beginnings as a motorcycle-based rescue effort, Manali Strays has grown into a vital support system for thousands of animals across the Himalayan region. What started with two people and a few medical supplies has now become a dedicated team, a rescue facility, ambulances and a growing network of supporters.

For the stray animals wandering through the streets of Manali and nearby villages, Manali Strays has become more than just a rescue organization. It has become a symbol of hope—offering care, protection and, in many cases, a second chance at life.