Lighting lamps on Diwali spreads joy and is a reminder to uphold the true values of life, such as being kind and compassionate to others. At Animal Rahat, that means always going the extra mile to help animals.

Many wells in Maharashtra are not covered, and animals can be injured or lose their lives when they accidentally fall into them. A dog who plunged into a 70-foot-deep well remained trapped inside the structure for three days until villagers finally discovered him and called Animal Rahat for help. A rescue staffer carefully descended into the well on a rope, sedated the frightened dog, and carried him to safety. If the dog hadn’t been found, he would surely have died from starvation.

It’s not just dogs who are at risk of falling into wells: These perilous holes in the ground have also trapped cats, cobras, and even a porcupine. In one instance, Animal Rahat rescued a cat who had been desperately balancing in a crevice in the wall of a well just above the water for four days before being saved. Given the shape and state of the well as well as the cat’s mental and physical exhaustion, our rescue team had to use a full bag of tricks to free the frightened feline.

Another pitfall in animals’ lives is the circus. Following a legal complaint that detailed numerous animal-welfare violations, Rambo Circus surrendered all the animals it had been using. This included Sagar and Saifali, two ponies who used to spend their lives performing tricks or traveling from venue to venue without enough food or water. Now, Sagar and Saifali live at Animal Rahat’s Home for Retired Bullocks, where they can enjoy life.

Animals used by the Grand Circus also had a happy outcome. After inspectors from Animal Rahat and the animal charity PAWS Thrissur uncovered several infractions, circus management agreed to relinquish its 18 animals for rehabilitation and to become an animal-free circus. Animal Rahat had the pleasure of welcoming the only camel in the group to our Home for Retired Bullocks. Formerly named Laxmi, she was renamed Tracy and is much happier now that she is no longer suffering from mange, as she had been in the circus. Tracy already made a new friend, a rescued camel named Waheed.

This Diwali, don’t forget to share your holiday happiness by helping animals. You can help the Animal Rahat team be prepared to assist animals both this Diwali and throughout the coming year by making a generous gift right now. 

Shubh Diwali, and thank you for your continued support!