A Registered Non-profit Animal Rescue Organization


Chitra Besbroda, ACSW, AASECT


Chitra Besbroda is a Sri Lankan born Buddhist. Chitra's love for animals was learned
in childhood from her parents who were nurturing and caring to their children and
pets. She is a Fullbright Scholar to the U.S. and a practicing psychotherapist.
She currently lives and works in Manhattan as a full-time social worker for the
New York City Board of Education. She started her rescue work in Harlem in 1973
when she found Teddy, a neglected and abused German Shepherd. Her mission has not
ended since that date.

Dubbed the "Angel of Harlem" by writers and supporters, this small yet resilient
woman with indomitable courage and boundless energy still visits the junkyards of
Harlem to provide food and good cheer to the remaining animals. When they hear her
voice and footsteps, they greet her with leaps of joy and kisses. Chitra is the
only source of nurturing for these abandoned animals who live in misery. On her
feeding rounds, Chitra has been threatened and physically and verbally abused
numerous times by the petulant people who cannot comprehend her type of kindness.

Since the beginning of her one woman crusade, Chitra has rescued 3,5000 animals.
They have been spayed or neutered and placed in carefully picked homes.
In 1994, Chitra founded SENTIENT CREATURE, INC., a non-profit animal charity.
Chitra's dream of a lifetime finally came true when she opened her animal shelter in 1997
for Harlem's abused animals. The shelter has become a haven of love and peace for
these animals. Many miracles have taken place in the 300 square foot shelter which
is spotlessly clean, air conditioned and well ventilated.

Chitra's work with animals has received ample publicity and acclaim. She has been
featured in over 100 written articles ranging from neighborhood publications to
the New York Times and national magazines both her and abroad. She was awarded the
"Heart of Gold" award by the Animal Medical Center and the "Unsung Hero" award
by the Veterinary Medical Association. Duncan Moon of the Christian Science Monitor,
wrote an article describing Chitra as the "patron saint of Harlem". Roger Caras,
former president of the ASPCA, affectionately calls Chitra the "Mother Teresa for
Animals". Her work has inspired many people to start small rescue groups across
the country. In spite of all this, Chitra's humility is remarkable. She still
patrols the dangerous alleys and back streets of Harlem looking for animals
to feed and rescue.

Despite dangers, difficulties and hardships, Chitra's grim determination to save
as many animals as possible in her lifetime will sustain her spirit.


UPDATE: Death of a Dream:

The dream of Chitra Besbroda to have a shelter for these rescued animals became a
reality on September 14th, 1997, when the cozy home-like shelter opened on the Upper
West side of Manhatttan. We took in abused, abandoned and neglected animals who were
often large, noisy, destructive and hard to handle. This was our challenge and we
accepted it with dedication and pleasure. Knowing that our consistency in nurturing
could result in finding near-perfect homes for these victims of man's depravity.

Within six months of occupancy, a lawsuit was filed to evict us. We fought a costly,
time-consuming legal battle and won. But when our lease was up for renewal in Sept. 2000
we were ordered to vacate. There was no recourse.

To this day, that space has not been rented......we can all shed a quiet tear for the
loss of that place, the sanctuary of love and peace for many a trouble junkyard dog.

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