Timmy was a familiar sight near the Gravity Inn Hotel in Silicon City, Indore. His jet-black coat made him stand out, a silent sentinel of the bustling neighborhood. As the undisputed ringleader of his pack, he roamed the streets, scavenging for food, surviving on scraps and kindness. Treats were a luxury, but at exactly 10 a.m. every day, something remarkable would happen—Timmy and his pack would pause, their ears perking up in anticipation.
For years, they had a guardian angel in Rimjhim Joshi Shende. Since moving to Silicon City in 2013, Rimjhim had made it her mission to feed the strays, bringing them biscuits and food, which they devoured in minutes. But one morning, Timmy was missing.
“I knew he had been struggling to move around,” Rimjhim recalls. “The locals told me he had been hit by a vehicle the previous night while lying on the side of the road.” The driver, well-meaning but unsure of what to do, had stopped to check on the injured dog, even splashing water on his wounds. But as uncertainty loomed, they eventually drove away, leaving Timmy behind.
That incident changed everything for Rimjhim. It wasn’t just negligence that harmed these animals; it was also circumstances—dimly lit streets, busy roads, and poor visibility. Strays weren’t just suffering from hunger or disease; they were also becoming victims of preventable road accidents.
Determined to make a difference, Rimjhim founded ‘Pawsitivity’—an initiative that manufactures QR-enabled reflective collars, helping safeguard stray animals. Since its inception, Pawsitivity has protected over 20 lakh dogs and cattle across India. And yet, the number remains a drop in the ocean compared to the ever-growing population of strays.
A Small Price to Save a Life
“It’s a tale as old as time,” says Nikhil Zope, a Pawsitivity volunteer. “In most road accidents, dogs and cattle are collateral damage.” His words aren’t just anecdotal—they’re backed by statistics. In 2013, Chandigarh alone reported over 1,600 stray animals injured in road accidents, while Nagpur witnessed a staggering 11,915 cases between 2011 and 2019.
But it’s not just the animals that suffer. The impact of stray-related road accidents extends to humans as well. In 2022, Haryana reported 900 deaths due to accidents caused by stray cattle. Data from the ACKO Accident Index (2022) further revealed that across six megacities, stray animals were the second biggest cause of accidents.
Pawsitivity is tackling this issue head-on, and you can be part of the change. For just Rs 40, you can sponsor a reflective collar and help save a life.
More Than Just a Collar
The benefits of Pawsitivity’s reflective collars extend far beyond accident prevention. Designed with a QR code, each collar encodes essential information about the dog—including name (if given), approximate age, vaccination history, medical records, and location. “Anyone who scans the QR code can access crucial details, helping reunite lost dogs with their feeders,” Rimjhim explains.
These collars also play a vital role in sterilization and vaccination drives. By tracking treatment records, they prevent duplication of medical procedures, ensuring resources are used effectively.
Animal welfare officer Seema Tank from Maharashtra shares another crucial benefit: “During the festive season, firecrackers often leave dogs disoriented and lost. These QR collars act as an identity marker, helping reconnect the lost animals to their caretakers or NGOs.”
A Necessity, Not a Luxury
In Jabalpur, where highways intersect the city, speeding vehicles have long posed a threat to strays. Volunteers recall witnessing countless accidents near highways. But since Pawsitivity introduced reflective collars in the area, the trend has started to change.
“At first, people thought collars were a luxury for stray dogs,” Rimjhim says. “Now they understand they are a necessity.” Even drivers have noticed the difference, reporting reduced anxiety while driving at night in areas where animals wear the collars.
The initiative also extends its impact beyond the animal world. In Indore, Pawsitivity has empowered underprivileged women by training them to make these collars. Since 2019, the organization has provided sewing machines and resources, allowing them to earn an income while working from home. “We pay them per piece, and they usually earn between Rs 15,000 to 18,000 per month, sometimes even more during high-demand seasons,” Rimjhim shares. Currently, 12 women are employed in the initiative, with expansion plans in the pipeline.
Join the Movement
Meanwhile, in the heart of Silicon City, a black dog lounges in the sun. With a bright red collar around his neck, Timmy no longer blends into the background—he belongs.
This Valentine’s Day, you can give thousands of dogs across India this same sense of belonging. For just Rs 40, you can ensure a stray gets a reflective collar, reducing road accidents and giving them a chance at a safer life.
Let’s spread love—not just among people, but to our four-legged friends who need us the most. Donate today and be part of something truly pawsitive.
