Help Gauri rescue 50,000 overworked animals from injury and abuse at tourist destinations

Forced to work day and night, Yamuna suffered multiple fractures on her leg while carrying heavy loads up steep inclines at a hill station. But rather than being rushed to the hospital or given rest, she was whipped mercilessly and forced to continue. Yamuna died from exhaustion caused by severe malnourishment within a couple of days. Yamuna was just one out of hundreds of working animals, including mules, horses and other equines that are made to live a miserable life and are even worked to death at tourist destinations across the country. 

Gauri Maulekhi and her NGO People for Animals Uttarakhand have stepped in saved the lives of thousands over the last decade. Gauri has not only ensured that working animals get proper nutrition and health care, but has also given a home to over 70 abandoned equines who were left to die. 

Strapped for funds, Gauri has been struggling to help many more animals who continue to be abused and overworked. You can strengthen the efforts and save the lives of abused animals. Donate generously.

Donate easily through UPI, all debit/credit cards and net banking. Charitable donations to this fundraising campaign are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act (India), & 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (USA). 

A fate worse than death

Many people are enchanted by the idyllic scenery and peaceful atmosphere of hill stations, but unfortunately, they often overlook the harsh reality faced by the countless working animals that make these mountain retreats accessible. These animals are subjected to grueling labor, hauling essential supplies up steep inclines and even carrying tourists and construction materials. Sadly, many of them are exploited to an extreme degree and forced to work illegally, without proper rest or care. As a result, the majority of these animals perish from exhaustion within just a few years.

“I don’t think there can be a more painful way to die than from exhaustion and starvation. The owners of these animals have no incentive to care for them. Their only objective is to make a profit at the cost of the lives of their animals. Their aim is to recover the money they spent to purchase the animal as soon as possible. The owners force equines to carry loads over three times their own body weight and deprive them of nutrition as well as health care”, says Gauri while elaborating on the extent of abuse meted out to working animals. 

A battle to save lives

Once a working animal sustains an injury, its owner often abandons it, unwilling to bear the cost of treatment. The animal is then left to suffer and deteriorate, and it is only a matter of time before it succumbs to starvation or infected wounds. This tragic fate befalls countless animals in the hill stations and holy places. Animals are viewed solely as commodities to be used and discarded, rather than living beings deserving of compassion and care.

“We make efforts to get abandoned animals to our Happy Home sanctuary. Here, sick and injured animals are provided with immediate medical care. We give them a highly enriching meal concentrate along with green fodder, so that they recover faster. At People for Animals Uttarakhand, our vision is not just to save an animal but to ensure it lives a happy life,” says the NGO founder.

Gauri says, “Currently we have over 70 equines that were rescued by us, but we continue to get calls every other day. It pains me to see the plight and suffering of these animals and I want to make sure that the abuse and mistreatment is brought to an end. But I cannot do it alone. It is imperative that we come forward as a society and do our bit to save them. I request each one to come forward and strengthen our efforts. Donate generously to save more lives.” 

Donate to this fundraiser by India Animal Foundation on Give, India's largest online donation platform, to help working animals and so many other animals suffering from cruelty.