Sharanaksh · Est. August 2018 · Bengaluru
Home to 250+ Rescued Dogs
A story of love, grit, and a city coming together for the voiceless.
Our Journey & Philosophy
Why I Started Sharanaksh
A message from Sai Geetha Pratap, Founder & Managing Trustee
Transforming Lives, One Dog at a Time
Welcome to Community Streeties India (CSI). From humble beginnings sheltering just 8 dogs, our journey has been one of deep compassion, unwavering commitment, and an evolution into structured, impact-driven animal welfare. Founded in August 2018 under the Sharanaksh Trust, we intentionally transitioned corporate management principles into the grassroots reality of rural animal rescue.
Today, as I look at the more than 250+ thriving dogs currently under our care at the CSI sanctuary, my heart swells with gratitude.
Operating from a dedicated 1.15-acre rescue and rehabilitation facility in rural Devanahalli, Bangalore, we actively bridge the massive gap in rural veterinary access and stray animal care. Our vision has always been to create a society where every community animal is valued, protected, and given a dignified life.
A Dedicated No-Kill & Hospice Sanctuary
Unlike standard shelters, our facility operates on a strict no-kill and hospice-oriented framework. We firmly believe that every animal deserves absolute dignity.
In the animal welfare space, there is a common misconception that simply providing any space off the streets — even if it is unhygienic or unkept — is “better than nothing.” At CSI, we fundamentally reject that standard.
We believe that community dogs who have survived the harsh realities of the streets have risen through immense struggle. Because of what they have endured, they deserve a standard of care and environment that equals, or even exceeds, that of a household pet. This is why maintaining a highly structured, sterile, and meticulously well-maintained shelter is non-negotiable for us.
Driven by this principle, we prioritize the uncompromising quality of care we provide to every single animal at CSI over the sheer number of rescues we take in. We refuse to compromise on their health, safety, or comfort just to scale numbers.
Our specialized infrastructure focuses heavily on palliative care, providing a peaceful, clean, and loving end-of-life environment for senior, paralyzed, and terminally ill “indie” community dogs. Every dog we rescue, stabilize, and care for is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together with deliberate determination and uncompromising standards of respect.
Join Our Mission
This journey belongs to all of us. I invite you to stand with us as we expand our medical reach, stabilize populations, and give the forgotten streeties of Bangalore a safe haven. Whether you choose to sponsor a resident, partner with us through corporate CSR channels, or volunteer your time at our Devanahalli sanctuary, your support creates a direct, lasting footprint of empathy.
Together, let us build a future where no animal is left behind, and where authoritative care and compassion are extended to every corner of our community.
Thank you for being an indispensable part of our mission.
Sai Geetha Pratap
Founder & Managing Trustee, Sharanaksh
Our Roots
The Story of Sharanaksh
Sharanaksh is a non-profit trust dedicated to the rescue, care, rehabilitation, and re-homing of neglected and abused dogs. The name comes from the Sanskrit words Sharanam — shelter — and Raksha — to protect. The animal shelter under this trust is called Community Streeties India (CSI).
The trust was established in August 2018 by a group of avid animal lovers led by Sai Geetha, starting with just 8 dogs rescued from BTM Layout. We first made our home in Devanahalli, near a village called Avathi. In 2023, after being given only six months to vacate the premises, we left no stone unturned — and in September 2024 completed the big move to Yambarahalli, closer to Nandi Hills. The new premises is much bigger and far better located, with a lot of scope to save many more dogs in need.
We believe that all living beings have an equal right to the Earth's resources and to live without pain, suffering, and desperation — and that it is the duty of humans to prevent cruelty against animals.
Today CSI is home to over 160 dogs — pups, young adults, and elderly dogs happily living out their days at the shelter. We have rescued more than 2000 dogs over the past decade, and beyond rescue we serve 450+ meals every day to community dogs across South and North rural Bengaluru — so there are fewer hurt and fewer hungry animals in the city.
From 8 Dogs to a Haven for 250+ Rescued Dogs
Our Journey
The Spark of Our Journey
Sai Geetha Pratap began feeding and rescuing injured stray animals from the streets of Bengaluru. Operating entirely out of her own apartment, she lovingly nursed them back to health, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong rescue mission.
A Dedicated Safe Haven
We officially opened the doors to our dedicated shelter, transitioning from an apartment rescue to a permanent sanctuary. Starting with 8 rescued dogs, this milestone provided a safe space to grow our operations and secure a stable future for dogs with nowhere else to go.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Response
When the pandemic struck, the crisis on the streets intensified. We scaled our operations rapidly, expanding our daily community feeding initiative from 110 dogs a day to more than 300+ dogs, ensuring vulnerable street animals survived the lockdown.
Milestone: 100 Lives Changed
Driven by the incredible generosity of our growing community of donors and volunteers, the shelter officially crossed the milestone of housing 100 permanent residents — that's 100 precious lives changed forever.
Expanding Our Horizons
To accommodate the growing number of rescues in need, we moved to a newer, much larger, and significantly upgraded facility, allowing us to enhance the quality of life and rehabilitation space for all our residents.
Building Our Advanced Veterinary Wing
We are actively expanding our medical facilities by constructing a brand-new, state-of-the-art veterinary wing. This will provide advanced, in-house surgical and critical recovery care, eliminating the delays and risks of emergency transport for critically injured rescues.
A Thriving Community of 250+ Residents
Today, our shelter is home to over 250+ dogs. Every single resident carries a unique rescue story, and each one is deeply cherished, loved, and receives high-quality medical and emotional care every single day.
The Spark of Our Journey
Sai Geetha Pratap began feeding and rescuing injured stray animals from the streets of Bengaluru. Operating entirely out of her own apartment, she lovingly nursed them back to health, planting the seeds for what would become a lifelong rescue mission.
A Dedicated Safe Haven
We officially opened the doors to our dedicated shelter, transitioning from an apartment rescue to a permanent sanctuary. Starting with 8 rescued dogs, this milestone provided a safe space to grow our operations and secure a stable future for dogs with nowhere else to go.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Response
When the pandemic struck, the crisis on the streets intensified. We scaled our operations rapidly, expanding our daily community feeding initiative from 110 dogs a day to more than 300+ dogs, ensuring vulnerable street animals survived the lockdown.
Milestone: 100 Lives Changed
Driven by the incredible generosity of our growing community of donors and volunteers, the shelter officially crossed the milestone of housing 100 permanent residents — that's 100 precious lives changed forever.
Expanding Our Horizons
To accommodate the growing number of rescues in need, we moved to a newer, much larger, and significantly upgraded facility, allowing us to enhance the quality of life and rehabilitation space for all our residents.
Building Our Advanced Veterinary Wing
We are actively expanding our medical facilities by constructing a brand-new, state-of-the-art veterinary wing. This will provide advanced, in-house surgical and critical recovery care, eliminating the delays and risks of emergency transport for critically injured rescues.
A Thriving Community of 250+ Residents
Today, our shelter is home to over 250+ dogs. Every single resident carries a unique rescue story, and each one is deeply cherished, loved, and receives high-quality medical and emotional care every single day.
What Drives Us
Mission, Vision & Goal
Our Mission
To inspire and equip individual citizens to stop waiting for external solutions and start taking personal, humane responsibility for the community animals on their streets.
Our Vision
A harmonious India built on the truth that the earth belongs to all, where caring for our community animals is an act of shared humanity, cultural pride, and active citizenship.
Our Goal
To establish compassionate, self-sustaining neighborhood animal-care networks across Indian towns and cities, drastically reducing cruelty and neglect while fostering peaceful coexistence between humans and street animals.
What We Stand For
Our Values
Compassion
We treat every dog with empathy, love, and respect — recognising their inherent worth and giving them a safe, nurturing environment.
Rescue & Rehabilitation
We rescue dogs from the streets and give them proper medical care, rehabilitation, and a genuine chance at a better life.
Responsible Adoption
Through a careful adoption process we find well-matched forever homes, building lifelong bonds between each dog and their adopter.
Community Engagement
We work with our community through education, awareness, and sterilisation programmes to promote responsible, humane treatment of animals.
Collaboration
We partner with like-minded organisations, volunteers, and supporters to amplify our impact and create lasting change for street dogs.
Transparency & Accountability
We stay transparent in our operations, finances, and decisions, and hold ourselves accountable to our donors, supporters, and the animals we serve.
What We Believe
Our Core Philosophy
The Earth Belongs to All of Us
Animal welfare isn't a government department; it is a human calling. We believe that true love for our nation is reflected in how we solve its smallest, most vulnerable problems.
Beyond Complaints
We don't wait for the state or an NGO to step in. We believe in the immediate power of the individual to create positive, proactive change right on their own street.
Our Cultural Roots
Coexistence is deeply woven into our collective heritage. We tap into time-tested cultural and humane values to respect, honour, and protect all life forms.
Shared Guardianship
No single entity can carry this weight alone. It takes an active, compassionate network of everyday neighbours to make streets safe and healthy for everyone.
The People Behind CSI
Our Trustees
Sai Geetha Pratap
Founder Trustee
A spirited and passionate animal-rights champion, Sai Geetha gave up the security of a conventional corporate career to pursue the cause she cares so deeply about. Drawing on her experience across hospitality, human resources, fashion design, pet grooming, and entrepreneurship, she plunged full-time into running an animal shelter under a registered not-for-profit — the trust she christened 'Sharanaksh', in Devanahalli, Bengaluru. Sharanaksh began in 2018 with just 8 dogs she rescued and relocated from BTM Layout, born of her deep desire to help ease the pain of these voiceless beings.
Saraswathi Pratap
Managing Trustee
A loving, ever-smiling homemaker with boundless energy, Saraswathi has always been passionate about learning and every form of art and creativity — nurtured through her love of cooking, baking, fashion design, and more. Above all, she has been a committed champion for the voiceless, playing the critical role of guide and mentor to Sharanaksh since its inception, and continues to contribute in every way she can to the organisation's journey.
Change a Life Today
Give a Dog a Second Chance
Your donation funds vital medical treatment, nourishing meals, and safe shelter for homeless dogs. Together, we can create a brighter future for them.