India is a country with a rich and diverse culture, history, and wildlife. It is home to more than 1.3 billion people and over 500 million animals, including cows, dogs, cats, elephants, tigers, and many more. India also has a strong tradition of compassion and respect for all living beings, as reflected in its religions, philosophies, and laws.
However, India also faces many challenges when it comes to animal welfare and protection. Some of these challenges include:
- Overpopulation of stray dogs and cats, leading to conflicts with humans, diseases, and suffering.
- Cruelty and exploitation of animals for entertainment, such as circuses, zoos, and animal fights.
- Lack of awareness and education among the public about animal rights and responsibilities.
- Inadequate laws and enforcement to prevent and punish animal abuse and neglect.
- Poor conditions and practices in animal agriculture, such as factory farming, dairy farming, and slaughterhouses.
These challenges require urgent and effective solutions that can improve the lives of animals and humans alike. That is why the Humane Society in India (HSI India) was established in 2007 as an affiliate of the Humane Society International (HSI), the global arm of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the nation’s most effective animal advocacy organization.
HSI India is a non-profit organization that works to protect all animals through education, advocacy, research, and direct action. HSI India’s mission is to create a humane and sustainable world for all animals, including people, by applying proven methods that seek to reduce animal suffering.
Some of the programs and campaigns that HSI India runs are:
- Street Dog Welfare: HSI India works with local governments, NGOs, veterinarians, and communities to implement humane and effective methods of managing stray dog populations, such as sterilization, vaccination, adoption, and community engagement.
- Farm Animal Protection: HSI India works with farmers, consumers, retailers, food companies, policymakers, and media to promote humane and sustainable alternatives to animal agriculture, such as plant-based diets, cage-free eggs, and cruelty-free dairy products.
- Wildlife Protection: HSI India works with wildlife authorities, law enforcement agencies, conservation groups, and local communities to protect endangered species from poaching, trafficking, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. HSI India also rescues and rehabilitates wildlife victims of cruelty and exploitation.
- Animal Testing Alternatives: HSI India works with scientists, regulators, industry representatives, and educators to advance the development and acceptance of non-animal methods for scientific research, testing, and education. HSI India also campaigns for the end of cosmetic testing on animals in India and globally.
- Humane Education: HSI India works with schools, colleges, universities