On 20 June, some of us from the DK Living division at the Delhi office visited the Noida Animal Shelter and Hospital. The shelter is currently operated by the NGO,All Creatures Great and Small (ACGS), and houses approximately 1,800 animals, including 1,000 dogs, 500 cows and buffaloes, and several cats and birds.

Our visit began with a delightful interaction with the shelter's furry and feathered residents.In the bird section, we observed a brood of black kites, pigeons, and several peacocks—one of which was about to be released into the wild. Next, we spent some time with the cats, watching them playfully swat at each other before uniting at mealtime. After that, we were greeted with a chorus of "moos" from the cows and buffaloes. We concluded our visit with the excited goats and sheep. We also had the chance to feed some of the dogs and cows, and of course, pet all the residents along the way.

The shelter manager, Vandana Rawat, was our guide and remained by our side
throughout, patiently explaining the shelter's operations, its challenges, and the circumstances that lead animals to its care. It was a humbling experience for all
of us to spend time with the four-legged residents. We came back with a renewed perspective on the significant impact even small human efforts can have on these
animals' lives.