Sameera Reddy adopts Indie dog Maya from Goa shelter, shares emotional video
Synopsis
Sameera Reddy’s adoption of Maya, a native Indie dog from a Goa shelter, is more than a celebrity feel-good moment — it puts a spotlight on the #adoptdontshop movement in India. With her move to Bastora and a horror-thriller comeback on the horizon, Reddy is quietly rewriting what life after mainstream Bollywood can look like.
Key Takeaways
Sameera Reddy adopted a native Indian dog named Maya from Paws Panjim shelter in Goa on 22 June 2026 .
She shared an emotional adoption video on social media on Friday, 3 July 2026 , which went viral among fans and celebrities.
Husband Akshai Varde and the couple’s children also feature in the video welcoming Maya.
Sameera used the post to advocate for adopting native Indie dog breeds from shelters over buying pets.
The actress has permanently relocated from Mumbai to Bastora, North Goa .
She is set to appear in the upcoming horror-thriller ‘Chimni’ , playing the role of Kali .
Actress Sameera Reddy has welcomed a new furry family member, adopting a native Indian dog named Maya from Paws Panjim, an animal shelter in Goa, in an emotional moment she shared with her followers on Friday, 3 July 2026. The heartwarming video, posted on social media, captures the actress visibly moved as she holds Maya for the first time.
How Maya Found Her Family
In her post, Sameera Reddy described the adoption as a moment of love, gratitude, and fresh beginnings. “Welcome baby Maya. We adopted her from @pawspanjim in Goa. On a rainy day we found our girl or rather she found us. So excited and grateful for this new chapter in our life. 22.06.26 the journey begins. Thank you to all the doctors and volunteers at @pawspanjim for all the help and support,” she wrote.
The video also features her husband Akshai Varde pampering Maya, while the couple’s children are seen playing around the newest addition to the household.
A Message for Indie Dog Adoption
Beyond the personal milestone, Sameera used the moment to advocate for adopting native Indian breeds from shelters. “Adopting a native Indian dog breed like Indie dogs from an animal shelter home can prove to be the best decision of your life. But it is important to understand the commitment and hard work that goes into this decision. Beyond just wanting a sweet puppy,” she wrote, adding the hashtags #adoptdontshop and #dogs.
Notably, actress Bhumi Pednekar reacted to the post with an “OMG,” among other responses from fans and fellow celebrities.
Life in Goa: A Permanent Move
Sameera Reddy has made a permanent shift from Mumbai to a spacious home in the scenic village of Bastora, North Goa. The adoption of Maya fits into a broader lifestyle pivot the actress has embraced, away from the bustle of the film industry’s hub city and toward a quieter, nature-connected life.
What’s Next for Sameera Reddy
On the professional front, Sameera is preparing for the release of her upcoming horror-thriller ‘Chimni’, in which she plays the role of Kali. The film centres on a grieving mother living in the haunted Chanderi palace, where a malevolent spirit has possessed her daughter. The project marks a significant return to screen for the actress, who stepped back from mainstream cinema several years ago.
Point of View
But Sameera Reddy’s post carries a sharper edge — she explicitly names the shelter, credits the volunteers, and ties the moment to the #adoptdontshop movement, which remains underpublicised in India despite a significant stray dog welfare crisis. Her emphasis on ‘commitment and hard work’ over impulse adoption is a responsible counter-narrative to the trend of buying pedigree breeds. That this comes alongside a permanent Goa relocation and a career pivot to genre cinema suggests Reddy is consciously building a public identity beyond her 2000s Bollywood image — and using social media to do it with intention rather than spectacle.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maya and where did Sameera Reddy adopt her from?
Maya is a native Indian Indie dog adopted by actress Sameera Reddy from Paws Panjim, an animal shelter in Goa. The adoption took place on 22 June 2026, and Sameera shared the news publicly on 3 July 2026.
What did Sameera Reddy say about adopting an Indie dog?
Sameera Reddy wrote that adopting a native Indian dog breed from a shelter can be the best decision of one’s life, while stressing the importance of understanding the commitment involved. She used the hashtag #adoptdontshop to encourage responsible pet adoption.
Where does Sameera Reddy currently live?
Sameera Reddy has permanently relocated from Mumbai to a spacious home in Bastora, a village in North Goa.
What is Sameera Reddy’s upcoming film?
Sameera Reddy is set to appear in a horror-thriller titled ‘Chimni’, in which she plays a character named Kali — a grieving mother whose daughter is possessed by a malevolent spirit in the haunted Chanderi palace.
Who else appeared in Sameera Reddy’s adoption video?
The video features her husband Akshai Varde pampering Maya, and the couple’s children are also seen in the clip celebrating the new addition to the family.
