Sneha’s Care seeks to make long-term gains for animals by advocating for humane laws, policies, and regulations. Sneha’s Care engages dedicated staff, volunteers, and legal advisors to advocate for animal-friendly legislation and policy with local, state, and federal governments. Through this program, we develop and draft animal welfare-related guidelines, standards, and policies in collaboration with different government agencies, and stakeholders and initiate their implementation. This initiative has been developing a road map for Animal Welfare because Nepal does not have an animal welfare act. We also develop informational materials and campaigns to raise public awareness on various topics, such as: reporting animal abuse and neglect; the benefits of spaying and neutering; adopting from responsible shelters; and the importance of preventive veterinary care.
Bloodless Gadhimai
The Gadhimai festival is a sacrificial ceremony held every five years at the Gadhimai Temple in Bariyarpur, in Bara District, about 200 kilometers south of Kathmandu and 7 kilometers east of the district’s headquarters in Kalaiya. This location is in southern Nepal, close to the Indo-Nepal border, next to Bihar (Indian state). It is primarily celebrated by the people of Nepal and India. Until the event in 2014, the event involved the large-scale sacrificial slaughter of animals including water buffaloes, goats, chickens, and pigeons in order to appease Gadhimai, who is believed to be the goddess of power. People also offer coconuts, sweets, red-colored clothes, etc.
Sneha’s care advocates bloodless Gadhimai and educates people on how religious practices can be practiced without harming animals.