A sanctuary where inmates treated as 'angels'

UDAIPUR: Here is a sanctuary with a difference! Unlike those created to conserve wild species, Animal Aid is a vital rescue centre, hospital and sanctuary for injured and ill animals too fragile for the streets. Situated at Badi road, some 15 kilometres away from the city, it is presently home for around 150 animals, including dogs, cows, bulls, donkeys and pigs.

The inmates are loved here as 'angels' and have more than 3 acres of land to roam, play, doze in and investigate throughout the day. An American family-Erika, Jim and Claire Abrams Myers are the founders and managing directors of Animal Aid.

Serving animals is their life's passion and absorbs their attention full-time. Inspired by their selflessness, animal lovers from around the globe come here throughout the year as volunteers to render love and service to their mute friends. Entire expenses are met by donations received from kind souls far and wide.


Enamoured by the Indian culture and values, in 1995, the Myers decided to gradually try to shift their lives from Seattle (United States) to live full time in India. Claire was just six-year-old then. They came to Udaipur in intervals of two to three months in a year, stayed in guest houses and made friends with the local people.

In 1999, the family decided to make a permanent home outside the city, in a small village called Chhota Hawala near Shilpgram. "We saw injured animals on the roads and realized that there were no veterinary services for them. The govt hospital for the animals focused on dairy cows and goats and had neither facility nor desire to rescue un-owned street animals," Erika and Jim said.

Animal Aid Unlimited was officially set up in 2002 and the first operating theatre, hospital and kennels were opened in 2003 with a staff of 7 including a vet, nurse, three rescuers, watch man and a cleaner. Animal Aid's vehicle moved around the city with the staff inquiring with the people if they have seen any suffering animal in their streets.

Slowly awareness increased and people began calling at the helpline number to report about ailing animals. Claire started making classroom presentations in various schools to generate awareness among children about the importance of rescuing street animals. By 2013, she had addressed 100,000 kids.

Since 2003, their animal treatments have grown exponentially and by 2015, more than 50,000 animals have been treated. They have shifted from the original site which was very small to a rented 4-acres where 400 animals-250 who are under treatment and the rest in sanctuary, are housed each day and where 50 full-time staff members and volunteers from around the world take care of them.The rescue team reaches often more than 30 different rescue locations in a single day . The team is working on to get a third ambulance for faster help. The organization is also working with the Udaipur Municipal Corporation to ensure legal compliance and humane treatment of street animals.