The Nakulu Dog Shelter in Thimphu, a leading animal welfare organisation in the country gives food and shelter to almost 400 dogs. Today, the shelter’s compassionate care is overseen by the dedicated team at Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs, a non-profit organisation. Zeus says the shelter’s impact transcends its furry occupants and creates employment. However, limited resources are posing the shelter a formidable challenge, leaving its operators opening their pockets to meet daily finances.
The Nakulu Dog Shelter was constructed in an area spanning two acres by the Department of Livestock in December of last year. The department spent almost Nu 2 M to construct the facility.
The management of the facility is done by 35-year-old Thinley Norbu, who founded the Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs. Zeus was started in 2020 to help sick stray dogs, provide them with food, and address dog bites in the community.
“Some dogs did not get food. Some were hit by vehicles, and some with scabies. I felt for the dogs, thought of helping them, and started the shelter. The dog menace national issue and dog bites are a community concern. Therefore, to address the community issue in collaboration with the National Accelerated Dog Population Management programme, we brought these dogs here and gave food and shelter to them,” said Thinley Norbu, the programme director of the Nakulu Dog Shelter.
To enable the shelter to seek donations, plans are in store to register it as a Civil Society Organisation. The shelter spends over Nu 300,000 monthly on dog feeds and staff salaries.
Lack of budget is a real concern. So much so that Thinley spends between Nu 50,000 and 100,000 every month from travel agent income.
“After the registration, we will be able to work according to the country’s law. If we do not register as a CSO, we do not have the opportunity to collect donations from the public. Although we are a recognised organisation and we have letters from the Thimphu district, and the local government to collect donations we have yet to start,” added the programme director.
With people coming in to support them, today, he gives around Nu 50,000 from his personal savings. Sherub also seeks assistance from his parents, relatives, and friends. Apart from the founder, Sherub Tenzin, who handles finances for the shelter once spent Nu 300,000 from his pocket.
“We need to give meals twice a day to dogs. We spend Nu 320,000 per month. Bhutanese people support us but we get Nu 100,000 or 150,000 per month as donations but the remaining expenses, we spend from our own income and seek support from our parents and relatives,” said Sherub Tenzin, finance analyst of the Nakulu Dog Shelter.
The shelter currently employs eight staff, which includes night guards, cooks, and helpers.
“It has been about three years working for Zeus. Firstly, the organisation has created job opportunities for us. And second, as we are old, we think that we need not have to pray and help the dogs as much as we can. We care for them more than our children,” said Chhimi, one of the staff of the Nakulu Dog Shelter.
Nakulu Dog Shelter is about two kilometres from the Semtokha highway roundabout. The shelter is equipped with CCTV to monitor the dogs and ensure there is no pack aggression. Equipment has also been installed to play spiritual songs and prayers in the compound.
Once registered as a CSO, the shelter plans to seek donations and expand the Nakulu compound by another two acres.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sherub Dorji
