The Story

Delhi the Street Dog Foundation was established in 2018 to address and combat the overwhelming stray street dog population in India. The Founder, Jessica Haltzman, was navigating a soul searching, solo-backpacking trip in New Delhi, India in 2017. While she was only hoping for a greater sense of self in her return home, she managed to not only find herself and her passion, but her forever best friend, Delhi the Street Dog. 

While sitting in her hostel in New Delhi, Jessica was startled by horrific sounds of yelping and crying. Running out of her hostel not knowing what situation she was about to encounter, was a small puppy with a large wound, limping on his back leg. Jessica immediately took the aching puppy to a local veterinarian, whom helped clean the wound and bandages his leg. Jessica couldn’t bear the thought of leaving this puppy in his fragile state and made the decision that she was going to take this puppy home. All the way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She would later name this puppy, Delhi, in honor of where his life began, and hers as well. After getting the puppy all of his vaccinations, she found out there was a 30-day waiting period before they could go home. This meant that rather than flying home with Delhi right away, they would now have to travel together on the remaining schedule of her backpacking trip, through Nepal and Thailand.  This was no easy task as Delhi could not fly on planes to each destination so together they traveled by bus and train, some rides as long as 24 hours to get to their various destinations.

Delhi has made an indescribable impact on Jessica's life, making her life full, and lighting her inner fire to make a difference in other street dogs lives in India. While traveling through India, Jessica crossed paths with so many loving street dogs that deserved a chance to find their forever homes. Becoming a team with Delhi gave Jessica a greater understanding of not only herself, but of love. She decided to build a foundation in hopes of giving street dogs in India as well as individuals in the United States, the chance at a new life. Delhi not only made Jessica’s life complete, but Delhi is now going to be the reason that many more stray street dogs in India will have the opportunity to have a forever home. Jessica poses the challenge to all dog lovers: help as many of these stray dogs find love and safety in their forever homes.