Animal Aid Unlimited in Udaipur, India, one of two 2006 HSI Animal Advocate awardees, began as all animal welfare organizations do—with a vision. It took a lot of compassion and hard work, but five years after their initial contact and subsequent guidance from Humane Society International, Erika Abrams and Jim Meyers established one of the best-known animal welfare groups in India. The society is now a haven for the many homeless, sick and abandoned animals of Udaipur.
In 2001, Chaman Singh Chauhan, a friend of Erika and Jim and a veterninary assistant at the society, was hired to scout the area for homeless animals, educate the public, take "inventory" of local animals and note what immense work lay ahead. With training from the already-established Help in Suffering (based in Jaipur, 200 miles north) and support and guidance from HSI and other charities, the society created its own facility, complete with a veterinarian and volunteer staff.
From the start, Animal Aid Unlimited recognized that the top priorities should be population control and treatment for these homeless animals. Their sterilization clinic and hospital opened in 2003.
To date, the group has treated more than 8,000 animals, operating with a staff of 15, including three veterinarians. It also runs an emergency hotline, which responds around the clock to calls regarding abandoned, abused or injured animals, from dogs to donkeys.
Animal Aid Unlimited's successful growth caught the attention of the local government, which recently asked the group to undertake a large-scale evaluation of shelters in the state of Rajasthan. Additionally, it was tapped by municipality officials to take the reins in their animal control program, guaranteeing the process is humane and more compassionately managed.
In June 2004, HSI helped Animal Aid Unlimited establish a rural treatment center and recovery site for donkeys and other large working animals in Bansi, Rajasthan. HSI also sponsored Ms. Abrams' attendance at our annual Animal Care Expo in 2005 and 2006, and that of her daughter Claire in 2007.
Animal Aid Unlimited
President: Erika Abrams
4508 SW Massachusetts St.
Seattle, WA 98116
To contact Animal Aid in India, please call:
011-91 9352511435
India mailing address:
Animal Aid Unlimited/Animal Aid Charitable Trust
Hawala Village, Near Shilpgram
Badi Post
Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
INDIA
E-mail: info@animalaidunlimited.com
Web: www.animalaidunlimited.com
Updated February 15, 2008
