Aditi Parmeshwaran, an animal activist who resides in Dombivli, opened the shelter, Empathy Unlimited Animal Welfare Foundation, on a 2,000–2,500 sq ft plot in the Dombivli-Thakurli region in August 2020 after approaching a landlord, who is also an animal lover

The primary reason for opening the centre, according to Aditi, was to help strays in need. “Currently, there are close to 100 stray dogs at our shelter, the majority of which have disabilities such as blindness or significant injuries. Our team has been working to provide these animals with a decent life, since if they are left on the road, they might not survive,” she said

Pradip Sharad Chaudhari, the MNS leader, wrote to the health department of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) on May 31, stating that the neighbourhood’s residents were experiencing problems as a result of the dogs’ constant barking

Aditi said, “The residential building near our shelter was under construction when we opened, but now that it has been completed, residents have moved in. I do agree that the dogs bark occasionally, but nobody from the neighbourhood has approached us to complain about our dogs causing them problems. The office-bearer wants to close the shelter, but he ought to explain where the 100 stray dogs will go. Should we just let them die on the road? Every problem has a solution, and I propose that we discuss it as a group.”

After learning about the letter, Aditi posted a message on social media which states, “We have completely stopped ‘rescue’ operations. Kindly do not contact us or bring animals to our shelter. I cannot give any references either. You can choose to contact any local NGOs, local municipalities, local corporators, politicians, cops, vets but please do not reach out to us.” She also mentioned that over the past two decades, she and many others had served and fed animals only to receive backlash from locals