He will work from dawn into the night and sleep on the road or beside his owner’s hut on the ground in all weather, seldom with shade or shelter.

He will eat brush beside the road if he can find any, and sometimes he will find a garbage dump and eat plastic, which will kill him as it becomes painfully wrapped around his intestines.

He will drink when his owner remembers to give him water, but owners often mistakenly believe that the thirstier bullocks or horses are, the harder they will work.

He will haul materials (or people in the case of pony traps) to and from a sugar mill, a foundry, a brick kiln, a retailer, or a farm—heavy loads because maximum delivery means more money.

He will often be decorated with garlands during festivals but made to work harder by taking his owner’s family to a fair.

Working animals in India endure almost unimaginable hardships every day. Animal Rahat strives to alleviate the suffering of these animals by giving rest to the lame, nourishment and water to the hungry and thirsty, medical care to the sick and injured, and education about health and safety practices to owners.

Animal Rahat conducts vaccination camps for foot-and-mouth disease; stops illegal bullock races; enlists the help of local police to avert acts of violence, such as overloading and horn rasping (the painful shaving of layers of horn off in order to make bullocks appear younger and healthier); and confiscates whips, nose ropes, spiked chains, and other weapons that add misery to working animals’ lives. The group’s work benefits animals and their owners, who often can’t afford to provide veterinary care and proper nourishment to maintain their animals’ health or take time off to allow their animals to rest and recuperate.

At markets, fairs, and religious festivals, Animal Rahat provides free veterinary care, animal feed, water, and shelter from the sun. At the annual Mayakka Devi fair, Animal Rahat provides free bus service as a humane alternative to riding in overloaded bullock-drawn carts. By working directly with event organizers, Animal Rahat is able to ensure that proper provisions are made for exhausted animals, such as ample water taps, loading ramps, and rest stops.

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