Just the other day I was bemoaning the lack of viability behind ’send a goat to Africa’ Christmas gift schemes. It worsens the hunger of people in the developing world, by forcing them to funnel already scarce resources into keeping the animals, and of course the animals suffer as they are often poorly cared for. For people who like the idea of helping animals and people overseas, I have just the present for them – Animal Rahat.

Animal Rahat, which means “animal relief,” is based in Indian villages that produce bricks and sugar cane, and was created to provide relief to the working bulls, donkeys, ponies and horses that impoverished villagers rely upon to survive. The lives of these “working” animals have been greatly improved, thanks to Animal Rahat, by giving rest to the lame. Sadly, this is something the owners could never afford by themselves. 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.

There is also 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 the slaughterhouse.

So if you, or someone you’re buying for, want to help people and animals in need this year, check out Animal Rahat and be a guardian angel today.

Image: FlickR / CC