Towards the end of January this year I went to India, to visit one of my favourite projects operated by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). This project is all about removing hard working animals from the streets of Delhi (specifically the street markets) where all kinds of animals are used to move goods and equipment around using a cart (see photo’s below). Ponies and donkeys are used to move smaller loads of materials such as fruit and veg and the larger animals such as bullocks, horses and water buffalos are used to move heavier loads such as bricks and concrete. Sadly, no matter what size the animals are, they are always carrying far too much weight resulting in them suffering from numerous ailments such as swollen knees, bruised backs and open skin wounds due to the way in which the harnesses are tied to them. And, on top of all of this, chronic arthritis is rife.

Harsh life on the streets

It was very upsetting for me to witness suffering to this degree. I tried to connect with some of the ponies and horses who had been left on the side of the road tied to their empty carts waiting for the next job, but they seemed dead behind their eyes, they had simply given up. They are worked very hard and a lot of the time in extremely hot conditions, they do not get sufficient rest time and are underfed with limited access to water. All of this results in untold suffering and many of them die at a young age. It was heart breaking to see so much suffering but this is where PETA is so amazing. In 2019 they came up with a solution to end this suffering which is when the Delhi Mechanisation Project was born.

PETA & Animal Rahat to the rescue

OAT have supported the work of PETA for a number of years, but this particular project pulled on our heart strings. In simplistic terms it incentivises the owners of working animals on the streets of Delhi to relinquish their working animals in return for the provision of mechanised e-rickshaws / electric Tuk Tuk’s. This is a much more efficient method for transporting goods and the animals get to retire to Animal Rahat, a local, purpose-built sanctuary supported by PETA. Owners can choose the type of Tuk Tuk i.e. a pick up truck version where they can continue to move materials around or, a taxi version enabling them to change their line of business and become taxi drivers.

I love the simplicity of this project as its a win-win situation for the animals and their owners and better still, the Delhi government are right behind the initiative ensuring that the suffering of working animals will continue to diminish.  The government are very happy to support this project as well as it means better hygiene for the city (less animal waste and potential for infectious diseases) and it also takes away the hazardous elements associated with animals / carts and cars all sharing the same roads.

Comforts of Sanctuary Life

I took time to visit the Animal Rahat sanctuary during my visit and this was a much more pleasurable part of my trip. It is a top quality sanctuary where the animals are able to live out their lives being treated with kindness, love and respect and in a peaceful, safe environment. They are provided with the necessary veterinary treatment and care and are given nourishing food, comfortable spaces in which to rest in the sun or shade and paddocks for grazing and socialising. On top of all of this they are provided with every comfort you can image – even lovely warm blankets for the colder days and nights.

The Future

To ensure the ongoing management and success of this project, a PETA representative visits the markets most days to monitor animal welfare in general and to look out for further rescue opportunities. They also keep a respectful eye on previous animals owners to ensure they do not revert to using animals. The latter has not happened as yet as tight contracts are drawn up at the time of the animal / vehicle trade.

Since this project was founded in 2019, PETA has rescued and retired 73 horses, 49 bullocks and 5 mules. There are many more animals in need of rescue but we are assured that all 12 sites covered by this mechanisation project in Delhi will soon be animal free.

Thank you’s…

Hopefully one day the unnecessary suffering of these animals will become a thing of the distant past. OAT are pleased to say that our close friends of Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries were as excited about this project as we were and in 2021 decided to co-fund a grant to kickstart the initiative.  Huge thank you to PETA, Animal Rahat, Delhi authorities and Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries for making this awesome project possible. We could not be more pleased and proud to support this life changing work.