RESQ Nepal Foundation is a non-profit social enterprise focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray and abandoned domestic animals like dogs and cats in Nepal, firstly in the Bagmati Province 3 (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur), with outreach services covering the rest of the country in collaboration with local shelters, volunteers and veterinary clinics. We are seeking to establish a sanctuary capable of housing at least 100 dogs at any time on the outskirts of the valley, along with medical and surgical facilities, an adoption center, and community outreach programs.

Stray animals are a big issue in Nepal, with thousands roaming the streets and suffering from starvation, disease, abuse, and accidents. The issue is not confined to reproduction among strays alone; pets run away from home and illegally operated breeders sell animals to ill-prepared owners who quickly tire of the responsibility. People buying expensive breed dogs but not knowing how to take care of them and getting tired of them is a big problem now. Bull calves are being thrown out on the road because they lack a purpose for farmers, and donkeys being used in factories getting weaker are left on the road. Adding to these challenges is the scarcity of organizations available to help provide shelter and veterinary care; most of them have little chance of finding new homes or any sort of care. Our plan is not just about looking after animals; it is also about making a change in animal welfare and how people care for them and involving the whole community to make the change.

RESQ Nepal Foundation will provide quality housing, nutrition, medical/surgical care, spaying/neutering, and rehabilitation therapy to prepare the animals for successful adoption locally and internationally. We will also run education programs on responsible pet ownership, care for community animals and compassion.

To sustain and expand operations, we have planned ethical income strategies such as boarding/daycare services, a veterinary clinic, a pet store for merchandise, café, and adoption centers. We aim to become 100% self-sustaining in 5 years. Our team has expertise in animal care and management, marketing, and finance.

We can be one of the organizations helping transform how stray animals are treated in Nepal and inspire nationwide connections and campaigns for animal welfare and law reform.

How you can help

RESQ Nepal Foundation is proposed to be established in 2024, it represents a vision conceptualized by a passionate group of animal activists, veterinarians, and Dr. Krijn de Best and the de Best family, who is our Patron. Driven by deep concern for the ever-increasing number of stray animals and their appalling conditions.

We envision creating a 40-50 Ropani (5-6 acre) sanctuary that includes a veterinary hospital, adoption/sponsorship programs, and a progressive sustainability model. We aim to initiate work by 2024, The initial phase will be dedicated to establishing a shelter for dogs and cats to house around 50 or more dogs while also establishing a clinic, a hostel including day care to start housing 20 dogs and cats as part of our income source.

Stray dogs and cats are a common and sad sight in the streets of Nepal. Conservative estimated number is around 100,000 in Kathmandu Valley alone, but the actual figures may be over 300,000. The situation escalated after the 2015 earthquakes when many pets were abandoned. With more being abandoned because of the economic conditions of the country. Other factors are a lack of sterilization initiatives and weak animal rights law enforcement.

These voiceless populations of abandoned and abused animals face immense suffering and brutality. Starvation, dehydration, accidents, abuse, and diseases like canine distemper virus and parvovirus lead to premature death - the average lifespan of street dogs is only 1-3 years.

Furthermore, inadequate veterinary services have resulted in public health threat as indicated by the World Health Organization. Reports show that 99% of global rabies transmission to humans comes through stray dog bites. This is a preventable epidemic if mass rabies vaccinations, spaying, and neutering of strays are conducted regularly.

While the government hosts irregular vaccination drives, there is no long-term, ethical solution-focused solution. There are fewer than 10 notable animal shelters in the whole country that are severely constrained by their limited capacity and resources. Critical gaps remain for extensive services in rescuing, housing, sterilizing, treating, and rehoming stray or abandoned small animals.

This is why we believe compassionate, professional supervision of stray dogs, cats, and domestic animals can create an enormous positive impact if executed humanely. Our sustainable social enterprise model can lead the transformation in how Nepal's stray animal populations are managed.

Vision, Mission, and Values

Our vision is a Nepal where no stray animal suffers on the streets, unwanted and uncared for. We aspire to extend this care to all animals, ensuring they are valued and treated with compassion and respect.

Our mission is to provide compassionate care, shelter, and advocacy for domestic animals in Nepal, promoting their welfare and fostering responsible pet ownership within our communities

Our Goals and Values

Our goal is to create a safe haven for over 500 stray dogs and cats by providing them with care, shelter, and the opportunity for adoption, while also promoting responsible pet ownership and reducing the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs.

Our Values are:

● Compassion: Treat every animal, especially the sick, injured, and vulnerable, with warmth and empathy.
● Respect: Affording dignity to the lives of all animals in our care, and the ones we can help.
● Integrity: We operate transparently and ethically in all our endeavors.
● Community: Building collaborative programs to educate and involve citizens in animal welfare.
● Innovation: Pioneering solutions to long-standing issues plaguing stray animal populations.
● Sustainability: Conducting operations ethically and moving towards self-sufficiency.

Our objectives

● Rescue and Rehabilitation: Rescue stray and abandoned animals, provide them with medical care, and rehabilitation, and find suitable homes through adoption programs.


● Community Education: Organize workshops, seminars, and outreach programs in local languages to educate the community about responsible pet ownership, traditional livestock management practices, and the importance of spaying/neutering and vaccination.


● Spay/Neuter snd vaccination Initiatives: Collaborate with local veterinary clinics and animal welfare organizations to offer subsidized spay/neuter and vaccination programs, particularly targeting community-owned animals and street dogs.


● Emergency Response: Establish a 24/7 hotline for animal emergencies and rescue operations, providing prompt assistance in cases of accidents, abuse, or natural disasters, leveraging local networks and resources.


● Advocacy and Legislation: Advocate for animal rights and welfare by working with local authorities and community leaders to enforce existing animal protection laws and enact new legislation where necessary, considering cultural sensitivities and local customs.


We are transparent

● Annual Reports: we will publish comprehensive annual reports that include audited financial statements, governance disclosures, program details, and impact assessments. These reports will be easily accessible on our website and distributed to stakeholders during public meetings and events.

● Online Transparency Portal: The Foundation will create dedicated online transparency portals or sections on our websites. This portal will house audited financial statements, tax filings, board meeting minutes, conflict of interest disclosures, and other relevant governance documents.

● Public Meetings and Events: Hold yearly public meetings where we will present our activities, financial information, and future plans. These events will provide opportunities for our stakeholders to ask questions and provide feedback directly to our leadership.

● Social Media and Online Engagement: Leverage social media platforms, and blogs to share updates, reports, and information about their operations allowing direct engagement with the public and promoting transparency through open dialogue.

● Public Repositories and Registries: The Foundation will submit its audited financial statements, governance documents, and other relevant information to public repositories and registries maintained by regulatory bodies to ensure that the information is widely accessible and centralized,

Programs and Services

RESQ sanctuary facility and operations in Kathmandu will provide:

Rescue and Shelter Housing

● Round-the-clock rescue helpline for reported cases within Kathmandu Valley.
● Capacity to house 100 dogs on site at any time with room for growth.
● Safety, hygienic, and calming shelter housing for dogs, cats, and other animals.
● Training dogs on leash manners and socialization therapy for successful adoption.

Veterinary Care

● Full in-house veterinary hospital/clinic with surgery room.
● Treatment for injuries, infections, and communicable diseases in strays.

● Administering vaccinations and deworming medication.
● Spaying and neutering all animals before adoption.

Adoption Center

● Screening local families and international visitors interested in adoption.
● Counseling on the selection of a suitable pet companion based on lifestyle and environment.
● Post-adoption monitoring and assistance with helpline.

Community Outreach Programs

● Conducting monthly low-cost veterinary health camps in municipality areas.
● Visiting schools and community centers for education on safety around strays and being compassionate pet owners.
● Partnering with local animal shelters, feeders, and community leaders.
● Community Education Programs: conduct workshops and outreach programs to raise awareness about the importance of coexisting with wildlife, responsible pet ownership, and the prevention of human-wildlife conflict.