Spring newsletter: more captive elephants find freedom at WRRC, a paralyzed dog responds to TLC!
We hope this update finds you well!
Gearing up for the challenges of summer
The scorching summer heat is starting to make its presence felt in India, bringing alarming water shortages to many locations. Some cities are already on a restricted supply. The heat and dryness will continue until the monsoon season arrives, typically between June and September. Until then, water will remain a constant worry.
In times like this, caring volunteers are especially conscientious about putting water bowls out for the thirsty street animals and wildlife. Sometimes the animals need more than just water; they may need emergency veterinary care or long-term shelter, and our partners are there to provide it.
Being prepared for the natural disasters of summer, such as floods, cyclones and heatwaves, is also a vital necessity. To be most effective, our partners need to be ready at a moment’s notice to provide lifesaving aid when the need is greatest.
Can we count on your support during the intense Indian summer?
Freedom for Shakila and Janavi! WRRC rescues two more captive elephants
Newcomers Shakila (left) and Janavi (right) sidle up to graze alongside their new bestie Janumani, who has enjoyed the good life at the ECF since 2022.
Two more Asian elephants have been rescued from captivity by our outstanding partner, the Bangalore-based Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC). While the two senior ladies, Shakila and Janavi, are well past their prime and in less than stellar health, they are mentally young and curious to pick up where they left off since being captured from the wild where they were born many years ago. Located on 100 acres of Karnataka Forest, WRRC’s Elephant Care Facility (ECF) will be a haven where Shakila and Janavi will heal and flourish in the company of WRRC's six other rescued elephants — including Janumani, seen here in a love sandwich with her new grazing companions.
Shakila and Janavi now have access to the many changes, large and small, that bring so much meaning and comfort to elephants who have endured lives in captivity. That includes medical attention from the WRRC elephant care team and an acclimatization process to ensure they thrive in their spacious natural abode.
The happy-ever-after endings for WRRC’s growing family of formerly captive elephants are made possible by support from kind donors like you and through the generous auspices of the Karnataka Forest Department. Providing the best care for these magnificent beings is costly — and worth every penny. Please help us help WRRC keep up their great work!
People For Animals to the rescue
From charismatic megafauna to adorable fur babies! On the streets of West Bengal, the gruesome arrow injury suffered by the unlucky stray cat seen here was likely a casualty of tribal hunting practices. But there’s a happy ending for her, too. Alerted to the cat’s plight by student volunteers, the Uttar Dinajpur People For Animals team sprung into action. Their prompt operation to remove the arrow was successful, and their ongoing care as the kitty made her recovery testify to the team's hands-on commitment to animal welfare.
While any of Help Animals India's grantees will come to an injured cat’s rescue, our efforts to save as many cats as possible are centred on our cat sterilization projects in Nepal with Catmandu Lovers and in India with CUPA in Bangalore. These programs are crucial to controlling the stray cat population (always a target for animal abuse), and they provide much-appreciated subsidies to people who can't afford to spay/neuter their own beloved kitties.
Witnessing tender, loving care at the Varanasi for Animals shelter
Help Animals India’s volunteer Lama Jangchub, who co-founded the Sarnath Animal Welfare project with HAI founder Eileen Weintraub, took time out from her Buddhist studies in India to visit HAI’s Varanasi for Animals shelter (which also runs the nearby Sarnath project).
(L to R) Volunteers: Sonam Thakuri, Ani (Tibetan Buddhist nun) Drolma, Lama Jangchub
Lama writes:
“The trip to Varanasi for Animals was very encouraging this time. I was assisted in making the journey by Sonam and Dolma, two volunteers who have been with the project now for eight years.
“The centre has become a wonderful sanctuary for the wounded animals of Varanasi and surrounding areas as well as a fine example of a well-run ABC/ARV (animal birth control/anti-rabies) project under the very competent supervision of head veterinarian Dr Deepak Singh. It was a pleasure to be there and see the animals so well cared for. Several were recovering from maggot wound treatments, some from road injuries and other dogs were recovering from ABC before being released back to their area.
“Any dogs beyond saving are provided a comfortable place with extra care. [It is] wonderful for them to be able to be in a peaceful place for their last moments, away from the chaotic city with the dusty and dirty roads, being yelled at and perhaps even kicked or run over. It all underscores the importance of the clinic’s work in providing dignity and compassion for all rescued animals.
Of TLC and mobility: Dr. Deepak Singh and his paralyzed (but not for long) canine buddy
“Varanasi for Animals has become just an absolutely stellar place. There was one little dog who was paralyzed. This little dog was getting physiotherapy because it’s obvious that he will be able to walk again, if not perfectly at least he will be able to manage. Watching the tenderness Dr. Deepak had when dealing with the little dog lifting him up so that he could stand on his wobbly legs and then watching him run down the hall was so touching.
“We had a lovely visit. Thank you to Help Animals India and all involved!”
Rescued from slaughter, these cattle need food!
Hundreds of cattle rescued from a gruelling journey to the slaughterhouse by the Karuna Society for Animals and Nature need our support to make it through the brutal Indian summer. Please donate if you can.
Karuna writes:
“As there has been no significant rain during the last monsoon, we are facing severe serious problems for humans and animals alike: severe drought, higher temperatures (45 Celsius / 113 Fahrenheit), water shortage and power cuts. For our rescued cattle it means that there will be no grass in the forest to feed on.
“A generous donation from Help Animals India will help purchase 128 tractors of maize grass from local farmers and stock it up. During the coming 5 months we will provide green fodder, maize grass and cattle feed inside the compound for all our rescued cattle, until the monsoon showers have arrived and the grass has grown back in the forest.”
Love of animals comes naturally to children. We only need to nurture it.
We are privileged to be a funder of the Compassionate Classrooms project of Stray Relief and Animal Welfare India, or “Straw.”
💯 #Truth The 17th Karmapa of Tibetan Buddhism is a great champion of animals, turning all his monasteries vegetarian and supporting camps to help all animals!
Help Animals India grants your kind donations to both well-established and emerging animal protection groups who confront daunting obstacles every day in their mission to rescue, shelter and fight for the rights of animals. We work closely with these groups and vouch for their courage, compassion and determination. Our guidance helps them improve their missions and operations so they can maximize their effectiveness as advocates for and defenders of the animals of India and Nepal.
Thanks for reading! We wish you health, joy and success in your efforts to bring happiness and comfort to all!
With deepest gratitude and appreciation — from the Help Animals India team, our colleagues in India and Nepal, and the animals we love and serve.
