We are happy to report that our Braj Animal Care feeding program is doing very well. Twice a day, we go around Vrindavan in our erickshaw feeding the animals along the parikrama marg and nearby areas. In addition to the staples like milk and chaara, we often add special treats to the animals’ meals according to the season. For example, while gur is a favourite of cows in the winter due to its sweetness and heating properties, watermelon is a big hit in summer. It is so satisfying to treat them to their favourite foods.
Our feeding program also helps us connect more intimately with our community and learn more about the local animals and their needs. In the Raman Reti area of Vrindavan, there is an unusual colony where 50 to 60 dogs live together peacefully. Usually, our local dogs are very territorial and distribute themselves over a wide area in small packs of five to seven. Whenever we go to this special “dog colony” to distribute food, we are also pleasantly surprised to see how the neighbours also contribute towards the dogs’ care. They often feed them food scraps from their houses, and they always let us know when any one of them is sick or injured. There is even a paralysed puppy that receives lots of love and care from the colony residents. When performing animal care seva, you will see many cases of animal cruelty, which can lead you to question humanity itself. But situations like these give us hope and remind us that many people do care.
Although our medical services are temporarily closed, we hope to continue as soon as possible.