Abhayadana

Every animal – just like us humans – has a right to life, survival and protection; and every being wants to live a life of peace and freedom, devoid of fear. But every year, approximately 200,000 cattle are slaughtered for meat in Sri Lanka alone. This, most sadly, includes cows that are pregnant. I will leave it to your imagination the trauma that every single animal taken to a slaughter house experiences, and the energy that gets absorbed into the blood and meat of a being thus tortured and killed. 

With compassion towards these loving beings who uncomplainingly give of themselves for our wellbeing, whether it be with their milk or their labour, we are carrying out a small-scale initiative to rescue cows with the support of family and friends. It started in 2012, with a cow we rescued and gifted to a group of children growing up in a child care home. They were thrilled to receive a friend, companion and pet to look after and play with! Since then, we have been rescuing at least 2 cows every year – usually a pregnant cow or a cow and her calf – whom we then hand over to milk farmers. This way, we provide a livelihood and sustenance to a family while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of an amimal. We also make sure to monitor them periodically, to make sure that they are not sold back to the butchers.  

In 2021, we rescued 10 cows including 4 pregnant cows. Thus far, we have saved the lives of 29 cows. 

This initiative is currently run in the Matara District where my other social service projects are also being carried out. The cows are normally rescued during the month of September, or the last quarter of the year. 

If you are interested in giving these loving animals another chance at life, and a chance to breath without fear, please contact me, Chathuri Jayasooriya, at dropsoflight6666@gmail.com.