Kalimpong Animal Shelter

In 1995, after a long search, helped by a local resident, Dr. GS Yonzone, Christine Townend met Mr. Donald Karthak, who offered to sell to the trust at a minimal price, an acre of land, on a beautiful hillside of rice fields on terraces. Paddy, with views to the north over Sikkim and the Relly River valley.

The land, at Devisthan, in the middle of Bong Busty, on the outskirts of the town of Kalimpong, in the foothills of the Himalayas, about two hours’ drive from Darjeeling, had no road access or connections electrical in this peripheral area. This land originally belonged to the Lepcha people, farmers with a sophisticated culture ruled by kings.

A charming mountain trail, about two kilometers long, winding through rice fields, patches of forest and small houses made of bamboo and mud, led to the shelter site. However, there were rumors that a road would be built. So in the near future the land was gratefully purchased from Mr. Karthak.