Dec09
Help Working Cattle and Donkeys
Posted at 03:09 PM | Permalink
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Comments (5)
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Forget Heifer International (I'll tell you why in a minute)—here's the wonderful Animal Rahat, which means "animal relief." Animal Rahat is based in Indian villages that produce bricks and sugar cane and was created (with PETA's help) to provide relief to the working bulls, donkeys, ponies, and horses the impoverished villagers rely on. Animal Rahat has greatly improved the lives of these animals by giving rest to the lame—something the owners could never afford by themselves in their hand-to-mouth existence. Animal Rahat also provides free medical relief to lame, sick, and injured animals. The owners of these animals are often too poor to afford even the most basic nutrients that the animals require to stay strong and healthy—let alone pay for veterinary services.
Animal Rahat has even created a retirement program in which owners are offered a small subsidy to "retire" older animals and allow them to live out the rest of their lives with their human families—rather than send them to hideously cruel slaughterhouses.
With the holidays upon us, kind folks are opening their checkbooks in the spirit of helping others. Please, let's not forget about those hard-pressed working animals who need a day's rest, a poultice for a wound, a bridle that doesn't eat into their faces, and more.
And let's not be fooled by organizations like Heifer International, which send animals to families abroad. This only perpetuates the cruelty to which animals raised for food are subjected—and they always end up slaughtered. And in addition to preventing daily cruelty, it's far more efficient to feed the hungry on a vegetarian diet, as the resources stretch a lot further. After all, it takes 6–16 pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat—and that's a lot of wasted food …
So, why not save a life this holiday season and help these working animals? You know you want to …
Posted by Jennifer Cierlitsky
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We stopped donating to Oxfam because they were doing a Heifer International program, and doubled our donations to a few other charities we were already dealing with.
Posted by: Canaduck | December 9, 2008 04:07 PM
I offen think about these animals from time to time. Most people that own bullocks do care for them but are too poor and uneducated to care for them properly, overworked, tired, depressed... then along comes Animal Rahat!! These people are saints, just read about them!! We all should send them a donation small or large it all helps!! Wow!!!
Posted by: Carla | December 9, 2008 04:32 PM
Animal Rahat is a wonderful organization...god bless!
Posted by: pw | December 10, 2008 10:46 AM
Wow! I never knew about these folks before. Another worthy cause for animals to look into!
Posted by: David | December 12, 2008 12:22 AM
Hmmmm ... I wonder if Jennifer has ever visited any of the projects like those of Heifer International or is she just going by her thoughts? I had the opportunity to see a few of Heifer's projects in Honduras. From what I saw, most of the animals given by Heifer lived a better life than their owners. Of course, you have to visit a project with an open mind and not a blind eye to see that.
Posted by: William | July 25, 2009 01:32 AM