Two street dogs from Mysuru found homes in Germany through adoption drive. india news

Last updated:December 18, 2025, 11:20 IST

Two German tourists, Fenia and Arena, who were in Mysuru on their visit. Instead of simply watching the event, they decided to adopt 2nd Street Dogs on the spot.

On an ordinary morning in Mysuru, Karnataka, a quiet but unusual moment unfolded. During a local adoption drive organized by the Mysuru City Corporation, 2 street dogs found new families, not from the neighborhood or the city, but from Germany. What started as a civic experiment in animal welfare soon turned into a story of cross-border compassion, drawing attention to how Indian street dogs are being viewed and valued beyond India.

German tourists step up adoption drive

20 street dogs were brought to a public place near the Town Hall in an adoption drive organized by Mysore City Corporation in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department. Among the visitors were 2 German tourists, Fenia and Arena, who were in Mysore as part of their visit. Instead of simply watching the event, they decided to adopt 2nd Street Dogs on the spot.

His decision surprised officials and spectators alike. While street dog adoption is still slowly growing locally, international visitors have stepped forward and added an unexpected dimension to the initiative. Tourists expressed happiness over the adoption of Indian street dogs and indicated plans to take them back to Germany after completing the necessary procedures.

Indian street dogs, global appeal

Indian street dogs are often viewed locally through the prism of fear, nuisance or public safety concerns. However, animal welfare groups have long argued that these dogs are resilient, intelligent, and highly adaptable. The interest of German tourists powerfully reinforced that argument. To them, dogs were not “strays” but potential companions.

Officials said such moments challenge common stereotypes. When street dogs are vaccinated, sterilized and well cared for, they can adapt well to domestic environments, including international ones. While taking dogs abroad involves strict protocols like vaccinations, microchipping, health certification and airline approval, the willingness to go through that effort speaks volumes about changing attitudes.

Executives take the lead, but the spotlight shifts

The event was inaugurated by Mysore City Corporation Commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif, who fed the dogs on the occasion of the launch. MCC officials Pratima and Anand also adopted a dog each, indicating administrative confidence in the programme. However, it was the German adoption that became the most talked about moment of the day.

Of the 20 dogs brought to the venue, 5 were immediately adopted. While local adoptions are important in their own right, international adoptions gave the campaign wider visibility and started a conversation beyond Mysore about how Indian cities handle street dogs.

more than a day’s gesture

Mysuru City Corporation clarified that the adoption drive was not a one-time event. Now a permanent adoption system has been opened for citizens who want to adopt street dogs. Officials believe that combined with adoption, sterilization and vaccination, the number of unidentified dogs on the streets can be gradually reduced.

The adoption process in Germany, while symbolic, helps highlight adoption as a viable solution rather than just an emotional gesture. When international visitors show trust in the system, it adds credibility to the city’s animal welfare efforts.

What does this mean for Karnataka’s cities?

Mysore’s experience raises an important question for other cities in Karnataka, including Bengaluru, which is grappling with concerns over street dogs. If adoption campaigns are run transparently with health checks and post-adoption support, they may encourage more residents to consider adopting street dogs rather than purchasing a pet.

The sight of Mysuru’s street dogs finding homes thousands of kilometers away may also prompt local residents to rethink their perceptions. If these dogs are deemed worthy of homes abroad, perhaps they deserve the same acceptance closer to home.

A small event with a big message

While only 2 dogs crossed the borders that day, the message went far. The streets of Mysore are briefly lined with German houses, reminding the city that solutions to urban problems sometimes come in the most unexpected ways. Adoption, empathy and shared responsibility may not eliminate the street dog issue overnight, but they have given it a new, hopeful story.