Here’s some good news from India.

Thanks to Mumbai Newsline for this article.

Garage sale raises Rs 25,000 for stray dogs

Welfare of Stray Dogs puts up a sale of household items, aims to sterilise 40 canines

Nitya Kaushik

Mumbai, May 28: A one-year-old washing machine. An electronic oven. A massive old-style candle stand. Cassettes and LP disks. It is difficult to figure out a connection between these household items and stray dogs. But a garage sale of these disparate items, organised by the NGO Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD), has managed to raise nearly Rs 25,000.

The sale was held over the weekend in the porch of a residential bungalow at Bandra Reclamation, and WSD plans to use the money to sterilise as many as 40 stray dogs. At a time when the state is contemplating culling of stray dogs in the city, and the BMC is yet to initiate a successful sterilisation programme, a garage sale could indeed be a simple and cheap solution. Recent surveys suggest that Mumbai has about six lakh stray dogs.

Though the funds collected are not much, a garage sale is a zero-investment plan. An animal lover lent us her front yard to set up the sale, and the items were all donated. Our only criterion was that the items should be in working condition,” said Abodh Aras, director of WSD.

The sale attracted myriad visitors some came out of curiosity, some to help out a genuine cause and some looking to pick a few knick knacks at a cheap price. Even as a little, sick pup (fondly named Babli by WSD members) struggled to find a peaceful corner to rest, enthusiastic housewives and their young children scampered around, restless to grab the best clothes for just Rs 20. Napkins, cassettes, table mats, candles, crockery and shoes were the other items that seemed to be in great demand.

There was even a washing machine in perfect working condition, but it was picked up on the very first day,” said Aras. Clothes at Rs 20 are the fastest selling items at the sale,” added WSD member Rohan Mukherjee, other popular items include handbags and tapes.” While some items were available for a mere Rs 5, a three-piece suit fetched a considerably higher price of Rs 500.

A few of the items on sale are antique and interesting. Among them is an old wooden wall-clock, which has been turned into a battery-operated one now,” said Aras, adding that WSD received a lot of donations from animal lovers.

I dont mind picking things from the sale and donating them back to WSD next year. I am happy as long as the proceeds are used for the wellbeing of a dog,” concluded one canine lover.