Our journey
I’m Bipsha, Founder of Street Souls, a UK-registered charity supporting street animals in Nepal, my home country.
Street Souls began as a personal journey sparked by a dog called Sheru, a former street dog who now lives with my family in Nepal (but continues to roam around his community). He was my first real connection to a street dog, and he still gives me the best welcome every time I visit.
During lockdown, seeing the growing crisis for street animals pushed me to take action. What started as small acts of compassion grew into rescue work and wider animal welfare initiatives rooted in safe coexistence.
That journey became a mission and that mission became Street Souls.
2020
During lockdown, my cousin sent me a photo of a street dog in Nepal with a large tumour on his face. From the UK, I reached out to every charity I could. Travel was restricted, resources were stretched, and help on ground was incredibly hard to access.
Despite finally connecting with a rescue centre, the dog, who I later named Angel, could not be saved. I remember sitting in my bedroom, crying and feeling completely helpless. I couldn’t get Angel out of my head and I thought to myself I have to do something…
2021/22
With travel still restricted and urgent cases rising, I began researching rescue networks in Nepal and building relationships with people working directly on the ground.
I focused on raising awareness and personally funding medical treatment for injured and sick animals. These years were about consistently learning, planning and doing whatever I could to help.
2023
I travelled to Nepal during my annual leave to do field work. Doing street rescue first-hand changed everything.
The trust and resilience of the dogs stayed with me and till date street rescues hold a space place in my heart. Later that year, I organised a MT Snowdon fundraiser climb for my 26th birthday before returning to carry out on ground work, supporting 80 medical rescue cases, volunteering in shelters and providing the rescued animals with the essentials needed.
2024
Balancing a full-time job, I saved up, raised funds and returned to Nepal to do further work on the ground.
I ran our first feeding initiative, reaching over 400 animals, supported 40 rescue cases with street vets, and built partnerships with local shelters. I also spent time with the local community members and dogs, feeding them, listening to their stories and learning more about their behaviour. Those interactions shaped the ideas that would become Street Souls.
2025
Working on the ground taught me that lasting change for street animals begins with how people see and treat them. Real impact comes from shifting everyday attitudes and behaviours.
In Kathmandu alone, there are over 20,000 street dogs. Addressing an issue of this scale requires community-led solutions, strengthening coexistence, improving safety for both animals and people, and supporting long-term care. I knew then that more had to be done. That’s how Street Souls was born.
On 17 September, I received the charity registration confirmation and cried beside my dog, Rolls, this time, tears of happiness.
This year, we ran a feeding initiative for over 100 dogs, delivered 2 creative educational workshops, supported 30 urgent medical rescue cases, and secured local partnerships to strengthen long‑term impact.
What began as heartbreak has grown into a commitment to speak up for the souls of the streets too often forgotten and we are just getting started.
Photography by Nirish Shakya, nizzah.com
Frequently asked questions
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Healthy, vaccinated, and cared-for animals reduce public health risks, prevent conflict within the community and foster compassion, benefiting people and animals alike.
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Coexistence means creating environments where people and street animals can live safely alongside one another, through access to food, healthcare, vaccinations, education, and community care.
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Our main focus is on street dogs, as they make up the largest street animal population in Nepal and face significant welfare challenges. However, we’re not limited to dogs – we also help cats and other street animals in need. Our aim is to create safe, respectful environments where all street animals can co-exist with people.
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No – our goal is coexistence, not relocation. We focus on helping street animals live safely where they are by providing food, water, shelter, and vital vaccinations (like rabies), along with medical care, while promoting awareness and compassion in the community.
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Some animals need more than medical care, they need a completely different environment to live safely.
When a street animal can’t return to the streets due to health, disability, trauma, or safety risks, we look at what’s best for them, case by case.
Here’s what happens:1. We help provide medical care and try to place them in a trusted local rescue shelter
If the streets aren’t safe for them, our first step is to find space in a reputable shelter where they can receive long‑term care, protection, and rehabilitation.
2. If a shelter isn’t suitable, we explore adoption within Nepal
In some cases, adoption gives animals the safe, stable environment they need. When that’s the best path, we help find responsible adopters in Nepal who can give them a loving home.
Every decision is made around one guiding principle:
We always do what is best for each individual animal.
There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all answer. What matters most is ensuring they can live safely, comfortably, and with dignity wherever that may be. -
Most street dogs are not aggressive by nature. Like any animal, their behaviour is shaped by their environment, health, and how they are treated by people.
Fear or conflict usually stems from illness, hunger, pain, past mistreatment, or a lack of understanding. When dogs are healthy, vaccinated, and treated with consistency and kindness, risk is significantly reduced.
Awareness is key. Understanding how street dogs communicate, how to behave around them, and how to recognise signs of stress helps prevent incidents before they happen. Education encourages calm, informed responses rather than fear – which is often what escalates situations.
Vaccination, especially against rabies, plays a vital role in creating safer communities for both people and animals. When communities are informed and involved, street dogs become familiar, protected members of the neighbourhood rather than something to fear.
At Street Souls, we believe safety comes from care, understanding, and shared responsibility.
Check out our Street Dog Etiquette.
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One of our biggest learnings is the power of community. Many street dogs form strong, meaningful bonds with the people around them. You’ll often see them relaxed, social, and deeply connected to their neighbourhoods.
Real, lasting change comes from strengthening those existing connections, encouraging and equipping people with the knowledge to become active carers and advocates.
When awareness turns into shared responsibility, street animals are protected, valued, and able to live safely with health and dignity.
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Absolutely, there are many things you can do to help from fundraising initiatives to helping with our campaigns, make sure you follow our social media pages @streetsoulsofficial to stay connected and check out the Join the Squad page.
