Emergency Rescue

Animal Aid runs a busy helpline and rescue programme for injured and ill ownerless street animals in Udaipur. Each year we respond to more than 3,000 calls reporting animal suffering, with cases ranging from a cow hit by a car, to a dog with a maggot-infested wound, to a case of abuse.

Our rescue programme relies on the compassion and involvement of Udaipur locals who call our helpline to report animals in need. With invaluable support from donors, volunteers, and Udaipur locals, Animal Aid has rescued more than 25,000 animals since 2002.

Compassion in Action – the Udaipur community helps animals

Eight years ago, before Animal Aid was founded, there was no hospital, no rescue team, no ambulance, and no veterinarian or nurse, to help an injured or ill stray animal. If an animal was hit by a car, had a broken leg, was suffering from mange, was brain damaged from a head-injury, was semi-paralysed, or ill in any way, even an animal lover would have found it impossible to take action.

But now, all that has changed.

Now animal lovers in Udaipur can save lives, and they do. It takes just one phone call to report a stray animal in need to ensure medical care, shelter, and love for that animal.

The Rescue Team

Trained in butterfly-net dog catching, the Animal Aid rescue team deftly navigates through narrow alleys and busy streets to catch even the shyest and fastest of dogs.

When the patient is a 300 kg (500 lbs) cow who has fallen in a ditch and is unable to stand or pull herself out, we rely on the help of Udaipur-ites, who are usually more than willing to pitch in.

Emergency callers also assist in the rescue by trapping the injured animal in a room in their home to make sure we are able to find and catch the animal.

Emergency Rescues Case Studies

1. Animal Aid received a call for a young pig who had fallen into a well full of garbage and plastic. He was more than 15 feet down and there was no way he could get out. It was a matter of time before he grew tired and drowned. Rescue-team staff Ramu and Heeralal managed to pull him out of the water with a rope. As soon as he was out he ran off before we could even snap the “after” shot!

2. On-site treatment and anti-rabies vaccinations for street dogs cared for by locals.

3. Responding to a call reporting a sick street cow.

4. We received the call for a donkey who had a maggot-infested wound on his nose. He was roaming the streets and had received no treatment.