In Delhi, some 300 bullocks and 150 horses are used to haul heavy loads of food, lumber, metal, and boxes of goods. These animals work long hours, trudging through one of the most crowded cities on Earth in blistering heat. They are never given remotely enough to eat and are offered water only once a day. Many are blind, suffer from abscesses, or have sustained painful muscle or joint injuries.

As you may have read in a previous blog post, Animal Rahat’s electric rickshaw pilot program in Old Delhi launched and has resulted in the retirement of 10 animals so far—the ultimate goal is to make the city completely animal cart–free.

Photo credit: Jayant Bhola

Last fall, while meeting with cart owners on the street, the team came across a bullock who’d lost one of his horns in a vehicle accident. Today, he’s relaxing in a sanctuary, while an e-rickshaw pulls the heavy loads that he was once forced to bear.

Transporting the rescued bullocks to their new home at a sanctuary was tricky—political battles are taking place over cattle slaughter, and any cattle transport is eyed with suspicion. Fortunately, slaughter is something that this bullock and his fellow retirees will never have to face.

Meanwhile, the horses arrived at Animal Rahat’s sanctuary after a long journey and, as seen below, were greeted by the staff and Tommy, one of the group’s canine hosts.