What We Do
People for Animals is India's largest animal welfare organization with a nationwide network of 2.5 lakh members, 160 units and 26 hospitals. With Mrs Maneka Gandhi as our chairperson, we undertake animal rescue and rehabilitation work across the country. It is our aim to set up animal welfare centres in each of India's 600 districts.
What we do:
Create Infrastructure – Upgrade and establish facilities for animal rescue and rehabilitation such as shelters, ambulances, mobile clinics and helplines.
Influence Policy – Act as a pressure group to bring about environment and animal friendly legislation.
Endure Implementation – Take direct action through units to protect animals and punish offenders.
Street Animal Sterilization – Conduct sterilization and vaccination programmes for street dogs in order to bring down their numbers in a humane manner.
Animal Adoption Drives – Undertake massive adoption drives for Indian dogs and cats.
Educate and Sensitize –
Conduct a school contact programme. Introduce animal welfare either as a school or extra curricular activity.
Produce and promote media programs on animal related issues
Conduct training programs for lawyers, police, vets and animal owners
Produce books and expert guides on animal care and related issues
Partner with influential community leaders and opinion makers
Action
- A sustained PFA campaign has resulted in a total ban on cattle transport by rail.
- A PFA campaign against abuse of laboratory animals has brought about stringent reforms. PFA members are board members of every Laboratory Ethics Committee. 600 labs have been checked and over 3000 animals rescued.
- A PFA campaign against bullock cart races has stopped them in Andhra Pradesh and other areas.
- A PFA campaign against whipping has led to its regulation on racecourses. PFA members are checkers at all turf clubs.
- A PFA campaign halted plans to rear ostriches for slaughter in Karnataka.
- A PFA campaign has led to ensure maintenance standards and daily checks for beach horses in Chennai.
- PFA has provided emergency food and medical aid for animals affected by natural disasters.
- PFA has put an end to 300 animal sacrifices.
- PFA members are on the Film and Censor Board of India to check animal abuse in films. PFA has successfully filed cases against films that misuse animals.
- PFA checks circuses to ensure compliance with the ban against the display of tigers, bears, panthers, lions and monkeys. Scores of animals have been rescued and rehabilitated.
- PFA actively patrols highways to check against overloading and smuggling of animals for slaughter.
Litigation
- PFA won a landmark judgement replacing the municipal killing of dogs with a sensible sterilization program.
- In 1994, a PFA petition won camels their freedom from beach rides. Mumbai' camels were returned to their native desert.
- In 1995, a PFA petition led to a ban on mini and mobile zoos. Members have helped shut down and rescue animals from over 250 such zoos.
- In 1996, a PFA petition put an end to bull-fighting in Goa , saving 4000 bulls a year.
- In 1997, a PFA petition resulted in making dissection optional in biology classes in schools.
- In 1999, a PFA petition resulted in a court order directing the Governments of the states of Punjab and Haryana to set up 73 and 43 animal infirmaries respectively.
- In 2001, a PFA petition resulted in the compulsory labeling of all packaged food items with a green dot for vegetarian and a brown dot for those containing animal ingredients.
Pending in court are PFA petitions against oxytocin, illegal roadside slaughter, banning of airguns and animal testing for cosmetics.
