Two British pensioners have devoted their lives to rescuing the “slumdog donkeys” of Delhi and even have an ambulance for the animals.In India’s capital, poverty is a trap that ensnares hundreds of thousands of people. Many of them live in illegally-built shanty towns where raw sewage flows in the street. Malnourishment and disease are both commonplace. It is little wonder, then, that animal welfare is not much of a concern for some of India’s poorest people.

But two retirees from Essex would like to change that.

Jean and Bob Harrison, who first fell in love with India when they travelled there in the 1960s, have a soft spot for the donkeys of Delhi. There are around 3,000 donkeys labouring in the city’s building sites. Laden down with bricks and sandbags, many are worked until they die.

“The only time a donkey will ever give up, is when it can’t do any more and it lies down,” explained Jean. “And you know then – that’s it.” With their limited means, Jean and Bob have moved to India on a mission to bring medical care to the donkeys, as well as a little love. Their cottage at home has been let so they can afford the rent on a house in Delhi. They have converted a donated van into a donkey ambulance, and with the help of local vet Dr Bibender the couple now spend their days scouring building sites for animals in need of urgent care.

To find out more about the project, including how you can help, click here.

Source: Sky News

Anna Claxton