In Support & Care of all Furry animals in Bhutan
As Humans are endowed with the ability to Think & Act, this gift is the only thing that deprives all animals of the ability to care, think & fend for themselves. As Buddhist Masters have reiterated that helping out an animal in distress is the greatest good deed one can attain when you are living.
All sentient beings no matter the size need love, shelter, food and warmth which is fundamental once born in this world, for all the furry animals that cannot think or speak, we as a Human Being possessed with these qualities should in our capacity, help and support the Animal fraternity.
It is one of the greatest good, a person can contribute in his/her life time to help an animal. In Buddhism this deed no matter the size truly evokes Good Karma, in this life and the next.
Our furry friends in Bhutan also need your support. There are organizations in Bhutan who are dedicated in supporting for the benefit and welfare of all animals and they are doing a really good job of it.
In spite of the organizations and people doing a tremendous good job, there still are spaces where much support is required:
Through our initiative let us organize a transparent, need to support basis portfolio of the few Animal Welfare Organizations in Bhutan who truly need your support and help. Your generous support funneled to the right people and society where it makes a tremendous impact and note-worthy contribution in benefit of all sentient beings.
Visit Bhutan and witness first hand where your contributions towards Animal Support has been utilized, ushering concrete, reliable and effective usage of your donations. We will solicit a professional and transparent approach whereby your support reaches the right organization and brings about changes. Every follow-up and formalities would be undertaken by us, so that you can rest assured
A handful of Animal rescue & Care service organizations currently active in Bhutan:
Jangsa Animal Saving Trust
Jangsa Animal Saving Trust was established by Lama Kunzang Dorjee in 2000 after a personal experience of ‘auspicious coincidence’ when five bulls appeared to seek refuge from the slaughterhouse at his main seat monastery of Jangsa Dechen Choling. This incident of saving of the five bulls heralded the inception of Jangsa blessed by the spiritual patronage of Their Holiness Kyabje Chadral Rinpoche and the 70th Je Khenpo – Trulku Jigme Choeda Rinpoche.
Jangsa is now a registered NGO engaged in the spiritual practice of Tsethar- ‘saving of animals lives’, and actively involved in all fields of animal welfare – rescuing injured and sick animals, providing medical intervention and care, and maintaining animals in shelters, sanctuaries and pasturelands in Bhutan and India.
The higher purpose of Jangsa is to create the environs of active ‘Compassion in Action’ in the kingdom through the method of universal love for animals to ultimately inculcate the realization of Bodhicitta in all sentient beings.
By the truth of interdependence and the power of aspirations and dedications, Jangsa’s activities are the seeds that will enhance the collective karma of our world and links all beings to activities of great merits. A key function of Jangsa is to collectively engage our younger generation, communities, private and public organizations, and religious and government institutions in the ethos of ‘Compassion in Action’ and Bodhicitta.
Over the years, Jangsa has saved and maintained thousands of animals – large and small, Sheltered in 7 sanctuaries run by about 18 caretakers in the kingdom besides sanctuaries in India. Jangsa animal shelter in Serbithang, Thimphu alone has rescued 8976 animals, mostly sick dogs, according to our records.
https://www.jangsaanimalsaving.org
Zuse Nakula Dog Shelter
Statement of Objectives
Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs recognizes the universal truth that all sentient beings fear starvation, cruelty, and death.
Our vision of “giving a rightful life to all dogs” and our mission of “rescuing, feeding, and caring for dogs” form the cornerstone of the fundamental values upheld by Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs.
As Buddha said, “Relate it to yourselves before you inflict any harm on others,” we strive to give a complete life to all dogs within sanctuaries of freedom and fullness.
Our dedication to providing a rightful living to all dogs in the Kingdom is unconditional. We observe and uphold the basic rights of dogs through total selflessness, where our actions speak louder than our name.
Victories
Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs has achieved significant milestones in its mission to support and care for stray and homeless dogs.
During the lockdown, we successfully rescued 60 puppies and 33 adult strays in need of medical attention. We extend our gratitude to Jangsa Animal Rescue and Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care for their invaluable assistance during this critical time.
Over the past three years, we have consistently fed over 300 stray dogs in the capital city. Additionally, we have housed over 15 dogs, including puppies, in personal apartments.
Our efforts extend beyond rescue and feeding. We have conducted numerous veterinary programs focusing on dogs, including sterilization, anti-scabies treatments, mange treatment, anti-tick and flea treatments, distemper vaccinations, deworming, and more.
We have also been active in spreading information to combat animal cruelty
and raising awareness, leading to a remarkable impact on public perception and behavior towards animals.
One of our most significant roles has been in the National Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Program (NADPM & RCP). This effort culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs and the Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Royal Government of Bhutan, making Zeus for Homeless and Stray Dogs a Citizen-Government Undertaking.
Today, Zeus Nakulu Dog Shelter I houses over 390 dogs, and Zeus Nakulu Dog Shelter II shelters over 250 dogs. Both shelters are in the process of being officially recognized as Sanctuaries of Freedom, further cementing our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all dogs.
Intern Opportunities
Practicing compassion is not as easy as talking about it.
Students, young people from colleges, and graduates in pursuit of their dreams can learn the essence and values of performing unconditional actions through our internship program. By engaging with our work, you will not only contribute to the well-being of dogs but also experience personal growth aligned with the principles of Buddha Dharma: cleansing defilements, accumulating merits, and fostering virtues. Join us and discover the profound impact of compassionate action.
https://zeusnakuludogshelter.org/
Barnyard Bhutan (Animal Rescue & Sanctuary)
In pursuit of gross animal happiness
Every day, animals are found sick, injured, and in other situations which threaten their safety and well-being. Similarly, every day the people that see their pain and suffering are also adversely affected. And often it’s not just the animals who feel helpless.
Our mission is to help the animals, and the people that love them.
The Barnyard Bhutan works with the community, farmers, pet owners, horsemen, Paro Veterinary Hospital, Department of Livestock and vets throughout Bhutan, the Royal Bhutan Police and other stakeholders to ensure animals are rescued and can receive the needed care, treatment, and sanctuary required to hopefully save them, and keep them healthy and happy. All services are provided free of cost.
As many of the animals we help do not have owners, have been abandoned and/or have special needs, our work usually becomes a life-long commitment to caring and providing for the animal – large and small.
Though sustainability is difficult when many animals cannot safely be returned to where they were found, to keep them is a choice we must make to ensure he or she remains loved and protected.
The Barnyard Bhutan Animal Rescue and Sanctuary was registered as a Civil Society Organization 5th November 2020.
However, its life-saving work began informally 15 years ago and was earlier known as The Maya Foundation, which is our Executive Director’s U.S. based 501(c)3 non-profit that initially established and supported the sanctuary.
Though a separate entity, The Maya Foundation, with the help of its donors, continues to financially and logistically provide for the animals at the Barnyard
Bhutan.
The work of rescuing and providing care for animals itself began when our Executive Director, Ms Jamie Vaughan, arrived in Bhutan in 2006 and simply couldn’t turn her back on the ill and injured dogs which at the time were all over Paro.
The shelter property of nearly 2 1/2 acres, originally intended for a hotel, quickly developed into a sanctuary for the in-need animals of Paro, and Bhutan, on demand of the community and emergency cases – now with more than 540 rescued residents.
Still, to this day, the Barnyard Bhutan is the only animal rescue center in Paro. And the only one in Bhutan specializing in equines.
The Barnyard Bhutan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary is currently located at Lamgong, on the way to Sangchoekhor, in Paro – Bhutan. Though most of our small animals hail from one of Paro’s 10 Gewogs, the livestock especially are from all over the country.
And our rescue services for large animals or other special needs patients, especially equines, extend to the whole of Bhutan. Our team and vehicle is frequently traveling the country by road and/or trek rescuing horses and mules with broken legs or from wild animal attacks.
Never a holiday at the Barnyard, our gates and doors are open 24/7 every day of the year to any animal who needs help.
https://www.barnyardbhutan.org
Bhutan Animal Rescue Center
At BARC, we believe in the intrinsic value of animals, independent of the utility value that humans may give to them. Animals are sentient beings with feelings, consciousness, and integrity, and should be treated with respect, kindness, and compassion.
We carry out our mission via four different activities:
Animal Rescue
We have sheltered numerous dogs, cats, macaques, mules, cows, goats, and pigs at our rescue centres in Yoeselpang and Paro. With the help of caring supporters, our 24/7 rescue service can pick up animals in need and bring them to our centres for treatment.
We strive to reintegrate or relocate recovered animals, but those who are handicapped or suffer from chronic diseases find a warm permanent welcome at our shelters.
If you are in Thimphu or Paro and you see an animal in need, you can report it to us here.
Medical Care
We provide medical treatment for wounds, infectious diseases, cancer tumors, gastroenteritis, and skin diseases, as well as orthopedic surgery, prosthetics, and cesareans.
We have a clinic with surgery and treatment rooms and post-care facilities, and an Intensive Care Unit with quarantine.
Sterilization
To support a small and healthy stray animal population, we conduct a weekly
sterilization program with DHPPI-L vaccinations.
A network of kind-hearted citizens help us to bring in stray dogs from their neighbourhood. The sterilized dogs are then released back into the community and given follow-care care if necessary.
Advocacy
We welcome people to visit our shelter to learn more about animal care, as well as how to genuinely practice Buddhism through compassion in action.
Visitors often find opportunities for mutual reflection and learning, and leave feeling inspired and empowered to do good.
https://barc.bt/
Bhutan Nuns Society & Welfare Foundation
Although Bhutan’s guiding philosophy – the principles of Gross National Happiness (GNH) – includes a strong cultural preservation component, the younger generation (Bhutan’s future leaders) can become overwhelmingly caught up with modernization and Westernization. Thus it becomes ever more important to support traditional spiritual practitioners whose work has always kept the country in spiritual harmony.
The country’s culture and traditions are a priceless gift – which can and should be passed on to the younger generation, to help them succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world. Unless nuns and others can successfully take on the values of cultural preservation, the philosophy of GNH could remain a mere dream.
Education and Inspiration
In Bhutan, several thousand nuns live within and outside nunneries. Many young girls and women (ranging in age from 6 to 50) have attended classes in
a nunnery as a form of traditional learning or alternate means of achieving an 9
education, often because their parents could not afford to send all the family’s
children to the formal school system.
Some girls who drop out of that system end up in the nunneries to continue learning in the traditional way; while others join simply because they wish to follow a Buddhist spiritual path – a life of meditation, devotion to Buddhist studies, peace and harmony. Finally, older women often join the Sangha (community of nuns) to seek a second chance in life through learning and devotion.
Women, both young and old, join nunneries because they are passionate about studying Buddhism, and desire to live a peaceful and meaningful life that brings them balance and wisdom in a rapidly changing and increasingly unsustainable world.
Giving Back to Communities
Educational opportunities available through nunneries have no age or learning capacity limit, as the formal education sector often does. Women from all walks of life, after receiving good educations there, become empowered and are therefore in a much better position to give back to their communities. For example, they may become teachers or social workers within their villages and their nunneries.
Living close to the village community, both psychologically and physically, nuns provide important support – especially to women and girls. Supporting nuns’ education maximizes social capital, enhances the role of women in development, and thus helps to achieve GNH. The promotion of nuns’ education and recognition of their role in Bhutanese society is critical to strengthening its sustainable development.
Benefits of empowering and educating women greatly outweigh the costs, and require urgent attention. The Bhutan Nuns Foundation is committed to championing the cause of nuns and nunneries, and solidifying its place in pursuit of GNH and the country’s development goals.
https://bhutannuns.org/