Animal Rahat Update

October 2011

This month's news from Animal Rahat is quite exciting: Animal Rahat organizers have won a watershed victory that will prevent the suffering of countless bullocks. As you read about it, I hope you'll remember that it is only because of your support that important things like this happen.

Animal Rahat learned that a bull race was scheduled to take place in the Ichalkaranji area of Maharashtra. Immediately, its veterinarians made arrangements to meet with all the bullock owners. The Rahat team explained to the owners—many of whom were race participants or race organizers—that bull races, during which the animals are commonly beaten with sticks that often have nails protruding from them, are extremely cruel.

They also explained that public bull races are no longer legal, now that a vigorous campaign by PETA India recently resulted in the addition of bulls to the list of animals who are prohibited from being used in "performances."

On race day, in front of a huge crowd of more than 5,000 people, Animal Rahat officials took the bold next step. With the bullock owners' support, the Rahat team had a two-hour discussion with the race organizers, spectators, and participants. Miraculously, not only did they convince the community to stop the planned race, they also extracted promises from officials never to allow bull races to take place around Ichalkaranji, never to participate in bull races elsewhere, to encourage other bullock owners to do the same, and to report any bull races to Animal Rahat or to the police!

In addition to all the already overworked bulls who will be spared from these violent spectacles, there is another group of animals who would thank you if they could—the numerous animals rescued this month by the Rahat team. This month's rescued individuals came in all shapes and sizes.

First, railway police were summoned after screams were heard from passengers who had discovered an Indian star tortoise in a box hidden in a ladies' room on a train. These tortoises are an endangered species, and this one was likely being smuggled by someone involved in the illegal exotic-"pet" trade. The police turned the tortoise over to forest officials who didn't realize he was a land animal and popped him into water, resulting in his becoming ill. Luckily, the forest officials contacted Rahat for help. After vets showed the officials what to do, the tortoise quickly improved and is now recovering nicely.

Other animals rescued this month include a baby rabbit who was moved to safety after almost being killed by dogs, a Trinket snake who was taken from a "snake charmer" and released back into the wild, and the four dogs in the following photos.

The little black and tan dog was suffering from a skin disease but is responding well to treatment. He has been adopted by a Rahat staffer. A dog who had somehow become wedged between a pipe and a wall had been suffering for an unknown period of time before she was spotted by Rahat team members and freed. And these two little shepherd-mix puppies were from a litter of four who lost their mother in an accident. Their two siblings are being fostered by a Rahat volunteer, while these two are being cared for at the Animal Rahat sanctuary.

The Rahat vets were also able to provide valuable training to numerous veterinary professionals and students this month. Program Manager Dr. Sudheesh Nair made a presentation at a national conference called "Holistic Approaches to Integrating Animal Welfare into Veterinary Education"—the first workshop of its kind organized by an Indian veterinary university.

During his presentation about the treatment of working animals, Dr. Sudheesh said that it was clear from the expressions on many of the attendees' faces that this was the first time the horrors faced by working bullocks, ponies, and donkeys had truly registered with them. The experiences of many of the veterinarians and students there had been limited to urban areas or were focused on wildlife, companion animals, animals in zoos, or animals raised for food. Now that they have heard Dr. Sudheesh's experiences and seen the compelling case photos in his presentation, they are much more aware of the need for veterinary attention that India's working animals have been deprived of for so long.

Immediately afterward, the leaders of two other veterinary schools invited Dr. Sudheesh to speak at their institutions—a sign that Animal Rahat's revolutionary approach is making waves in the veterinary community.

Additionally, PETA India's director of veterinary services, Dr. Manilal Valliyate—who oversees the veterinary programs of Animal Rahat—conducted a training course in humane restraint and field anesthesia on bullocks at the Worldwide Veterinary Service's International Training Centre. He also led attendees on a trip to an outreach health camp to work with donkey owners, promoting regular tetanus vaccinations, timely first aid for common injuries in working donkeys, and proper harness-fitting to prevent injuries.

We are very pleased that Animal Rahat's message of compassion is reaching a whole new generation of veterinarians. This is the kind of at-the-roots work that translates into huge changes in the way a society treats animals and promotes new respect. On behalf of Drs. Manilal and Sudheesh and the entire Animal Rahat staff—as well as the many animals they serve—thank you so much for making this vital work possible.