Most love stories don’t begin with fear. But Ramya’s journey into animal rescue started just like that—scared of dogs, unaware of animal care, and nowhere close to imagining a home filled with purring paws and playful mischief.
It was May 2020. The world was in lockdown. In the silence of those strange days, Ramya found something meowing for help—kittens, barely a month and a half old, threatened by stray dogs near her apartment. An elderly neighbor said, “If you can take them, you’ll save a life.” That one sentence changed everything.
Ramya picked one up, unsure, nervous, and completely clueless about raising a kitten. That kitten, named Alexa, vomited after being fed cow’s milk. A panicked online search, a vet’s guidance, and a crash course in kitten nutrition later, Ramya found herself not just nursing a baby cat but stepping into a world she didn’t know she needed.
“Alexa didn’t have toys or a cat bed—but she was happy just being with me.”
That simple, profound love—uncomplicated and pure—lit a fire in Ramya. Slowly, she connected with other pet parents, stumbled upon rescue communities, and met Chitra, a well-known cat rescuer in Hyderabad. Through her, she adopted her second kitten, Cathy, and learned the brutal, beautiful truth about animal rescue.
The Unseen Army
In every city, behind every rescue, there’s a silent network of warriors:
- Reporters who find the animals.
- Rescuers who get them off the streets.
- Fosters who house them temporarily.
- Neonatal experts who handle the tiniest lives.
They work with little recognition, less support, and almost no rest. Ramya began by financially supporting this community. But passion doesn’t stop at the wallet. Soon, she was in the thick of it, raising funds, providing foster care, and even rescuing animals.
The One That Broke Her
Not every rescue has a happy ending.
Fighter, a brave pup from Lumbini, didn’t survive. “He fought till his last breath. He could have been saved if the vet gave proper care.” That kind of loss leaves a mark. And yet, Ramya continues.
Why?
“Because every time I help an animal, I feel spiritual growth. It’s God’s way of letting me earn good karma.”
Today, Ramya lives with six cats:
- Alexa: Her first child, rescued in 2020.
- Cathy: Adopted from Chitra.
- Pari: A paralysed kitten now walking on her own.
- Julian, Savithri, and Archie: Each with their rescue tale.
They’re not just pets. They’re her shadow, her companions, her healers. When she’s sick, Alexa cries. When she’s stressed, Cathy won’t leave her side. Their lives revolve around her, and hers around them.
Realities People Don’t See
Animal rescue is not cute Instagram stories. It’s trauma. It’s vet bills. It’s sleepless nights. It’s hearing that shelters are full. It’s rescuers who are students, professionals, mothers, and humans trying to do what they can.
Some myths Ramya busts:
- Cats can’t always land on their feet. Many get injured from falls.
- Cats and dogs do drink water, and they get diseases like diabetes or thyroid.
- Most diseases are not contagious to humans.
- A bite doesn’t always mean rabies.
- Aggression is usually pain, trauma, or fear, not bad behavior.
A Balanced Life of Purpose
Ramya works at TCS, heading a global Centre of Excellence. Amid RFPs, global meetings, and tight schedules, she’s found balance. With automation, home visits from vets, and smart home gadgets, she’s created a haven for her fur kids.
“I don’t suggest anyone go full-time into rescues. The pain is too much. It’s better to balance, for your soul’s sake.”
And yet, she has influenced friends, colleagues, and even her younger family members to get involved in their cities.
Because, ultimately, the ripple effect of compassion is contagious.
The Myth of “Someone Else Will Help”
One of the biggest misconceptions Ramya has encountered?
“People think there are rich NGOs out there waiting to take in every stray. That’s just not true.”
The reality is harsh: most animal welfare groups are underfunded, volunteer-run, and overwhelmed. There are no government shelters stepping in. There is no system that guarantees safety for injured or abandoned animals.
And while humans rightfully deserve help, animals are often left behind, because:
- People prefer donating to human causes.
- Animals are seen as “someone else’s responsibility.”
- There’s an assumption that “an NGO will handle it.”
But Ramya’s journey proves otherwise: it’s ordinary people who make the extraordinary difference.
What Can You Do?
You don’t need to adopt six animals.
You don’t need to quit your job.
You just need to care.
- Report a sick or injured animal.
- Foster, even for a week.
- Sponsor treatment costs.
- Share rescue posts.
- Educate yourself.
- Donate—no amount is too small.
“Every animal around you deserves kindness. Before you look far, look close.”
Because sometimes, all it takes is one kitten, one lockdown, or one person to change everything—for them and for you.
You may visit Ramya’s YouTube Channel for more updates: https://youtube.com/@desicats?si=8G7oZeCHa75Dy1Pk
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