The other day I was driving from Whitefield towards M G Road when the small tempo caught my attention. On it, I saw the name of an association that I had not heard of. CUPA. What is CUPA? Compassion Unlimited Plus Action, it read. And it had 2 dogs in its carriage on the backside. They were roaming free inside and looking at the traffic around. No chaining, no drugging, nothing. I initially thought this was something like SPCA or something. I had to find out more.

CUPA has its own website. http://www.cupabangalore.org/. CUPA was founded by an English lady, Cystal Rogers, in October 1991. She was aged 85 then! (Talk about leading an active old age life!!)

Crystal loved animals and at an early age, she decided to dedicate her life towards animal care. She was travelling to New Zealand in 1959 when she stopped by in India. She was striken by the condition of the animals in India. She did not travel further. She setup “The Animals Friend” in New Delhi, in 1959. In 1978, she setup “Help in Suffering” in Jaipur. Her efforts towards helping animals in distress and therefore contributing to social welfare has been well recognized and lauded. In October 1991, she founded CUPA in Bangalore. Currently it is the largest such organization in Bangalore, which goes to show how active this association is towards its duties.

Activities that CUPA handles vary from providing animal shelters to handling cruelty cases. They are also involved in Canine Therapy which involves interaction of children and aged people with the animals. They also have Animal Welfare Inspectors who tract cruelties meted out to cattle, horses, ponies, donkeys that draw carts, jutkas etc. In Karnataka, CUPA is the only NGO to have a unique authority in being able to police these matters. They also run an animal care clinic. Address, Phone numbers and facilities mentioned here.

Such organizations need financial assistance as these need a lot of money for daily business. They are not operating for profit. They are here because animals form a part of our society and practically nobody cares for them! Hence, it becomes our duty to support them with whatever financial assistance that we can afford. Every rupee counts. For donations to CUPA, check here. You can also assist by providing them the stuff that you do not want. Like old newspapers!

Alternatively you can become a foster parent to an animal. An animal’s love is unrequited, nothing can match it. I had once told my friend over a debate about love – “If you can love as unconditionally and as purely like a dog, then you have loved truly!”. Truly, no human being can ever love like these animals can love you. Want to become a foster parent to an animal?

Among the noted people who support CUPA, you will easily recognize Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath and Hon’ble Governor Shri T N Chaturvedi.

Some really touching stories can be read here.

Address and other pertinent details:
CUPA
Veterinary College Campus,
Veterinary Hospital & Animal Shelter,
Univ. of Agriculture Science Hebbal Campus, Bangalore 560024
Phone: 2341 2258, 2341 3427, 2341 9177
Website: http://www.cupabangalore.org/about/centres.htm

Media:
Deccan Herald covered CUPA (dated 30 July 2004)