Thanks to the caring people in Sangli, Maharashtra, Animal Rahat veterinarians were able to vaccinate 75 donkeys to protect them from tetanus, an acute and often fatal infection of the nervous system. The animals are forced to haul bricks at a brick kiln in Ankli. Recently, three animals at the facility died of tetanus and had to suffer through painful muscle spasms. Tetanus causes many donkeys to become so weak that they cannot eat or drink, and some cannot even stand. The people who work at the brick kiln – natives of Aurangabad – contacted Animal Rahat for help.

When the veterinarians explained that all donkeys need tetanus vaccinations – along with follow-up booster shots – all the donkey owners in the brick-kiln chipped in and raised enough money to vaccinate the 75 donkeys.

In the past two months, Animal Rahat has treated more than 150 donkeys in Sangli alone, but there are many other sick, injured and exhausted donkeys, horses and bullocks in Sangli who still need help.

Working equines (horses, donkeys, etc) are highly prone to tetanus. It costs less than 20 rupees (half a US dollar) to vaccinate a donkey or a horse. Kind-hearted people can help equines by contributing to Animal Rahat.

By changing minds and changing practices, PETA India's friends at Animal Rahat are devoted to providing relief to animals forced to work. Whether they are confiscating whips and yoke spikes, providing veterinary care to elephants chained in temples or convincing owners of elderly bullocks to let their animals retire to the Animal Rahat sanctuary  rather than forcing them to face the abattoir, Animal Rahat staff members are easing suffering and saving lives one animal at a time. Here are just some of Animal Rahat's accomplishments from last month:

• Provided veterinary care to 664 sick and injured animals
• Presented a lecture on animal welfare to students at Magnum College of Engineering
• Confiscated 18 nose ropes from animals who were in severe distress and convinced many more owners to remove them
• Held a drawing competition for schoolchildren about the cruelty involved in bull races
• Succeeded in getting several days of rest for 106 ailing animals
• Erected four wall paintings with educational messages about animal welfare
• Provided 113 donkeys with tetanus vaccinations

Animal Rahat is a non-profit organisation that relies on donations from compassionate individuals to continue to provide relief for animals forced to work in India. Consider giving someone you love the gift of saving an animal's life by making a donation to Animal Rahat in his or her name.