Animal Nepal (Animal Welfare Organization) Information

Animal Nepal was established as a non-profit company in 2004 by Dutch journalist and long term resident Lucia de Vries, together with friends Jessy and Maria Rai, Roselle Prisno and Jiggy Gaton. After teaming up with social activist and animal lover Pramada Shah, the organization spread its wings and Animal Nepal was registered as a NGO in 2009. Pramada Shah and her team continue to be supported by a professional, animal-loving, all women board. Seeing the dire condition of dogs in Lalitpur and recognizing the cruel methods (culling and poisoning) being utilized for their population management, AN initiated a Community Based Stray Dog Rescue & Release Programme called Humane Dog Management Programme, which was started in 2008. The main objective of the programme is to create a healthy, reduced stray dog population in Kathmandu Valley through Animal Birth Control (ABC), Community-based education and Rehabilitation care. Shocked by the condition of equines in brick factories, AN expanded its programme to include Working Equine. In 2010, A Working Equine Outreach Programme was established in Lalitpur with the support of The Donkey Sanctuary UK. In 2012, the outreach programme was extended to Nepalgunj-Nepal’s main equine bazaar, to address the root causes of the abuse and make a lasting change in the lives of Nepal’s working equines and their owners. In 2016, AN plans to further expand its Outreach programme to Dhading, Kavre and Gorkha. Touched by the living and working conditions of the 200 domesticated elephants employed in anti-poaching units and safari tourism,AN initiated a Working Elephant Outreach Programme in 2014. Under the programme, AN conducts research and works directly with owners to create examples of good practices, such as chain free corrals and ‘humane safaris’. Animal Nepal is also well known for its national campaigns for the welfare of animals in Nepal.