Animal Care in India

Caring for cows that are sick or have had operations

Animal Care in India – who it’s suitable for

Animal care in India is a great volunteering experience for those:

• wanting to work in the veterinary professions i.e. as a vet or veterinary nurse
• for those wanting to work with animals, in particular cows, donkeys and dogs
• for animal lovers who love taking care of sick and vulnerable animals

A life saving charity for injured wild cows and donkeys

In India the cow is a holy animal and wanders freely wherever it likes.  Hence, cows appear in the cities walking amongst the traffic on the busy roads, on railway platforms and railway lines and on motorways.  It’s not surprising that many of them get injured in accidents and need emergency help from this animal charity.  Also, although the locals buy greenery in the markets to feed the wild cows, many of the cows eat rubbish they find on the roadsides and can suffer serious intestinal problems that require an operation.

Bull sunning himself calmly on a road in Udaipur

The same goes for the donkeys that roam freely and the many wild dogs, often with a litter of puppies.  This charity helps all these animals.

This donkey has lost its hind leg, perhaps due to being hit by a car and infection setting in

Animal Care in India – what the work entails 

The animals you will be working with are mostly wild cows, donkeys and dogs.  The type of work you would be involved in is:

• physical therapy for dogs with spinal injuries
• bathing animals
• feeding the cows and donkeys with hay and grasses
• feeding the dogs, keeping an eye on them if they are not eating.  Giving special encouragement to those who are not eating and giving them special food
• giving some tender loving care to those animals that are depressed and need some love and support
• helping treat the cows and donkeys – sometimes treatment will involve 5 people helping to secure the animal and do the treatment
• pacifying animals after their operations specially when they feel frightened and scared
• sitting with animals receiving drips
• cleaning kennels with soapy water and a scrubbing brush
• collecting up all the animal poo’s with the pooper scooper
• grooming donkeys and dogs
• Socialising animals that are afraid
• Airing bedding outside to dry 

Giving dogs some tender loving care and attention

Please discuss with us what your objective is and we can try and make sure you get the kind of experience that you will enjoy and benefit from.

Eating some fresh greens

Whilst on duty, it is important to observe the animals are look for any signs of distress of illness and alert the staff accordingly, namely:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• behavioural changes
• runny eyes or noses
• if the animal feels particularly cold or hot
• if the animal is attempting to escape

Volunteers in the Animal Care project must all be vaccinated against Rabies and proof of vaccination must be sent to us before departure.

Animal Care in India – where you will stay 

Whilst volunteering with this animal charity, you will stay at a Volunteer House which also houses volunteers who are teaching in schools, orphanages, a street children project and a school for the disabled.  So you will have plenty of company and interesting conversations over supper!

Dining Area

Accommodation is in single sex shared rooms with bunk beds

Bedrooms are single sex, and shared with others

Bathrooms are either en suite, or in the corridor and shared.  They have western toilets, basins and hot showers.

En suite bathroom at volunteer house

There is a lounge where you can relax in your spare time and watch DVDs or read a book.

Lounge with tv, DVDs and books to read

The lovely modern and clean kitchen is where the cook will prepare you Indian vegetarian food and delight your taste buds.  You are welcome to use the kitchen if you want to cook for yourself something.  There is also a large tank for filtered water and you are advised to bring with you a water bottle and fill up daily to take out with you.

Modern kitchen

On the rooftop, there is a gym for those of you who like to keep in shape.  Situated in the shade, you can work out during your time out from volunteering.

Rooftop gym!

and – all mod cons – a washing machine where you can do your washing and hang out to dry in the lovely Indian sunshine!

The washing machine!

How you will get to the animal charity daily

You will be transported daily to and from the Volunteer House and work at the charity Monday to Friday, departing at 9am and returning to the Volunteer House at around 4/4.30pm.

Vaccinations and Travel Insurance

We recommend you visit the travel nurse at your local doctors as soon as possible to check that your vaccinations are all up to date and suitable for Udaipur in Rajasthan and in particular, as you will be working with wild animals, you have your Rabies vaccination.  We will need to see a copy proving that you have had this vaccination before you travel as well as proof of travel insurance for the duration of your stay.

Volunteers sunning themselves on the roof top during ‘time out’