Laura Bierer-Nielsen found a puppy in very poor condition on the streets of Pudhukottai district in Tamil Nadu in April 2022. She called various organisations that referred to themselves as charities and asked them to come and collect the puppy. She offered to pay for the treatment etc. None responded except one exceptional young man, Raja Shahul Hameedh from Madurai.
Raja travelled 150 kms on a scooter and took back a puppy that he then cared for in his home. Laura only paid the expenses. Raja had already decided to dedicate his life to stray animals in his hometown of Madurai and had applied for non governmental (NGO) status for his small organisation, since granted in 2022.
In January 2023 Laura’s parents, Sharon Bierer and Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen travelled to Madurai to meet Raja and his family. They met the animals living in his home, all of which were rescued. During their visit, they visited land for purchase which could potentially be suitable for the shelter and clinic.
Sharon and Henrik started AWI (Animal Welfare India) as a vehicle that could work with Raja and his NGO by fundraising to provide a properly built and equipped sterilisation clinic in the outskirts of Madurai with a large plot of land for a shelter for unadoptable animals that have been sterilised.
