Strays & animals
At TheGlitz, we’ve always celebrated stories that shine… whether of fashion, film, female power or fierce resilience. Today, we turn our spotlight to a far more pressing cause: the wagging, wounded, and often-ignored street souls of our cities… India’s strays.
From Laila to Other Strays
In the soulful pantheon of Mumbai’s four‑legged survivors, one name barked louder than most: Laila… a gentle stray who had made the steps outside Jio World Mall her home. But one day, she vanished. Two men were seen taking her away, and what followed was a wave of compassion and uproar. Leading this chorus was animal activist and Humanity World Foundation (HWF) NGO Founder Shiraz Ahmad, who boldly pasted “Justice for Laila” on his car and painstakingly followed CCTV trails. After 104 days of agony, love, and relentless search, Laila was found… a tail-wagging testament to the power of public empathy.
But not every story gets media coverage. Some heroes work quietly in the shadows.
Lokesh’s Strays
One such unsung rescuer is Lokesh Anil Dharampal and his incredible team at STAN Foundation. Take Lucky, a dog hit by a car and thrown out by a Thane pet clinic who claimed he had distemper and ” to not touch him”, further stating, “I can inject him, but you’ll have to pay for cremation.” Yet, Team STAN stepped in, gave Lucky acupressure therapy, care, and love. Today, Lucky runs, plays, and proves that every stray deserves a second chance.
No Stray Chance
These deeply emotional stories unfold in the backdrop of a major legal shift. On August 11, 2025, a two-judge Supreme Court bench ordered the permanent sheltering of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR. While well-intentioned, the order sparked fear: overcrowded shelters, sudden removals, and a disconnect from the ecosystem these dogs lived in. Thankfully, sanity prevailed. On August 22, a larger three-judge bench revised the order, allowing sterilized, vaccinated dogs to return to their localities, except for aggressive or rabid ones. They also recommended designated feeding zones, NGO support, and sustainable infrastructure. (Sources: India Today, The Week, SC Observer, IndiaTimes, The Guardian, Livemint, AP News)
Still, while the law adjusts, the ground realities for rescuers remain ruff.
Help Lokesh & His Strays
Today, Lokesh and his merry band of waggers at STAN Foundation are in crisis. In June, they shifted their rescued animals, dogs, cats, and others, to Paygaon, Bhiwandi, under a 3-year agreement. But a sudden Gram Panchayat notice gave them just 7 days to vacate. With no help from villagers and no refund of the deposit from the landlord (who insists they vacate first), Lokesh scrambled to find a new home. He managed to secure land in Wadu Village near Murbad and even built temporary sheds.
But time and funds have run out. With just two days left to shift over 100 rescued animals, and zero financial cushion left for transport, shelter, labour, or food, STAN needs our help.
TheGlitz’s CTA:
Lokesh avers, “With folded hands and tears in my eyes, I turn to you, my friends and supporters. These innocent souls have already suffered so much. I have just two days left to shift them. Every step, from transport to food, needs funding. Please, your kindness, no matter how big or small, will give them the safe home they deserve.”
TheGlitz says: Let’s not let this incredible pack fall apart. Let’s support Lokesh and Team STAN as they race against time to move their rescued fur‑mily to safety.
At TheGlitz, we believe kindness is always in fashion, and compassion never goes out of style.
Join our social initiative to help India’s voiceless strays.
Every pawprint matters. Every moo moves. Every rupee counts.
And every tail that wags tomorrow will be because you cared today.
To support or donate, please contact:
Lokesh Anil Dharampal | STAN Foundation
📞 9136208703
