Brooke India Felicitated with LOUIS PASTEUR ANIMAL CARE AND ONE HEALTH GLOBAL AWARD 2024 on the Occasion of World Rabies Day
Brooke Hospital for Animals
The Brooke is an international charity that protects and improves the lives of horses, donkeys and mules, which gives people in the “Global South” or “world’s most fragile states” the opportunity to work their way out of poverty for better livelihoods and resilience.
Brooke’s Vision is of a world in which working horses, donkeys and mules are free from suffering and have a life worth living.
The Brooke’s Mission is to achieve immediate and lasting positive change in the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the communities that depend on them.
Brooke Hospital for Animals (India)
In India, Brooke has been working since 1999, to improve the lives of vulnerable working equids and communities in some of the most challenging areas of the country. In India, Brooke operates directly through 36 Equine Welfare Projects (EWPs) across 11 States, thereby reaching out directly to approximately 2,08,321 working equids and the equine-owning communities that own/rear for livelihood. Additionally, BI extends its reach indirectly to a broader population of equines. BI has multi-disciplinary teams with core strengths in Animal Health & Welfare and Community Development including Human Behavior Change, Gender Empowerment, Livelihoods and Resilience.
Strategic Areas of Our Interventions
Brooke’s strategy of intervention has evolved over the years and is now driven by the Theory of Change to bring about sustainable change in the lives of both equines and equine-owning communities.
Brooke’s Various working contexts
Brick kilns
In India, large numbers of animals including horses, donkeys and mules work at the BKs under challenging conditions. These animals often face extreme temperatures, lack of shade, difficult terrain, and overloading, which can result in suffering, diseases and injuries. To address these critical issues in brick kilns, Brooke India has developed a comprehensive strategy focusing on improving the welfare of the working equines.
Brooke India operates in approximately 1,800 brick kilns across 11 states in India, reaching around 30,000 equines and 12,000 equine owners.
Equine fair
Brooke India actively engages in 68 equine fairs across the country, recognizing these events as crucial for equine owners to trade and showcase their animals. Brooke India provides emergency treatment to distressed equines and builds the capacities of local health providers and farriers, equipping them with the right knowledge to offer professional services during fairs.
Community Development & Engagement
Brooke India has achieved significant success by establishing over 2,300 men and women Equine Welfare Groups (EWGs), which function as Self-Help Groups dedicated to improving the welfare of working equines. These groups are actively involved in enhancing the living conditions of these animals while also providing alternative livelihood opportunities for their owners.
A noteworthy achievement is that approximately 1,500 of these Equine Welfare Groups are specifically focused on empowering women. Members of the Women Equine Welfare Groups are connected to the National Rural Livelihood Mission, giving them access to microcredit schemes.
Impact
Over the last 25 years, Brooke India has transformed the lives of countless equine owners and given working equines a life worth living. Our impact is reflected in the numbers: through our dedicated efforts in over two decades, we have enhanced the wellbeing of over 350,000 equines, ensuring they receive the care and attention they need to lead healthier, happier lives. We have positively transformed the lives of 750,000 members of equine-owning families who rely on their animals to earn a decent living.
BI REACH
| Reach | Data/Figure Available |
| No. of EWPs running | 36 EWP in 11 States |
| Equines Reached Directly |
2,08,321 equines |
| Owners Reached Directly |
84,515 |
| Knowledge Partners & Institutional Partners | 45 |
| WEWG (Women EWG) | 1,438 |
| WEWG Linked with the National Rural/Urban Livestock Mission (NRLM/NULM) | 1165 |
Brooke India’s Advocacy Highlights
- Year 2016:BI’s constant efforts resulted in the rise in compensation amount from INR 50 to INR 25,000 for Horses and INR 16000 for Mules & Donkeys euthanized due to Glander-positive cases.
- Year 2016:Animal Board of India (AWBI) issued Guidelines on the use of working equines employed at Shrines, for ferrying passengers and goods
- Year 2016:AWBI issued Guidelines to promote equine health and welfare during the equine fair.
- Year 2017: BI’s constant efforts made equines (Horses, Donkeys and Mules)part of livestock which resulted in the inclusion of equines under livestock insurance by the Animal Husbandry Department, Govt of India.
- Year 2022:AWBI issued Guidelines for the equines working at Brick Kilns (BK), addressing their complete welfare and well-being.
- Year 2023:The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), issued an advisory on the use of small ear tags for insuring the working equines to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering.
Awards & Recognition
Brooke India has been recognized as a Great Place to Work for the two consecutive years in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Brooke India was also ranked among the top 20 NGOs in India to Work For in 2023 by Great Place to Work.
Brooke India has been honoured at the GLOBAL CSR & ESG AWARDS 2024, being named one of the TOP 10 BEST NGOs OF THE YEAR. Organised by Brand Honchos & IIT Mumbai as part of the Indian CSR Awards, this recognition celebrates social leaders and organisations making a positive impact on issues such as discrimination and inequality based on religion, caste, gender, and wealth. Contributing to social welfare and nation-building.
Pashudhan Praharee and it’s sister concerns feels proud to felicitate Brooke India with the most prestigious LOUIS PASTEUR ANIMAL CARE AND ONE HEALTH GLOBAL AWARD 2024 for their recognition of significant and outstanding contributions in the field of “Animal care and One Health approach ” on the occasion of World Rabies Day, 28th September 2024.
We Congratulate her for this achievement.
