Animal welfare is universal. It cuts across language, race, nationality and borders. Because animals accept and bring you into their tribe without questioning your political, social or familial relationships.
They know good intention by instinct and respond to it. with kindness, acceptance and love. In the state of Rajasthan - city of Jaipur one organisation has been caring for, attending to and bettering the lives of animals in the city and its surroundings.
For the better part of 4 decades in the hustle and bustle of one of the most visited cities in India, is an organisation working for the welfare of camels, dogs, and other domestic animals. Help in Suffering (HIS) in Jaipur, Rajasthan does so much more than just rescue animals.
Beyond the obvious needs of medical treatments and rescue infrastructure is an organisation that educates. The next generation of citizens (local and global) are individuals with their own thoughts and feelings. But their experiences and educational inputs will shape their behaviour and sense of responsibility to all forms of life.
HIS has a Humane Education programme which teaches children the basics of animal welfare and needs. Provides study materials and teaching aids for educators and is invested in helping the next generation approach the animal and human world with empathy and awareness.
Volunteering is one of the best preparations for life in the real world. Once you learn (at any age) to show up consistently, put in the work and see tangible results- for no monetary reward- it humbles you. And gives you an appreciation of the invaluable work "activists" and animal welfare workers perform.
HIS performs routine surgeries to control stray dog populations. The services and functions of the shelter extend to larger animals such as camels, horses and donkeys. These animals are often used as work animals as well as in the tourism and entertainment industry. Awareness is growing about the harms of using animals for rides in large part because of the awareness work done by the NGO's.
By partnering with welfare agencies abroad as well as local communities HIS is able to offer veterinary and diagnostic care to animals.
Visit them when you are in Rajasthan, and if you cannot visit, support their cause. The vision of two ladies who refused to let animal suffering be normalised have left a legacy of hope and help for the animals of Rajasthan.
