On Animal Day, Anant M Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited and founder of Vantara, unveiled the 'Champions of Care' program. This initiative aims to provide long-term support to local organizations to bolster animal welfare efforts within communities across India.
The program unites over fifty animal welfare organizations from various regions of India. It is designed to support groups working with street animals such as dogs, cats, working donkeys, and horses, as well as abandoned livestock. Furthermore, the initiative will assist veterinary clinics, mobile rescue units, feeding programs, and rehabilitation efforts. The program is expected to cover approximately two million animals annually.
The announcement was made following a two-day meeting held at Vantara in Jamnagar. Representatives from participating non-governmental organizations and eight members of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) attended the event.
The initiative will provide support to local animal rescue organizations, including medical equipment, ambulances, diagnostic tools, and staff training. Infrastructure improvements will also be funded, such as solar energy systems, rainwater harvesting structures, and specialized quarantine zones, to sustain the daily operations of the participating organizations.
Anant Ambani stated: 'Every day, countless people quietly care for needy animals, often with limited resources and little recognition. Through Champions of Care, we hope to support this work, strengthen the level of animal care in communities, and help build a more compassionate India.'
S P Gupta, a member and former chairman of AWBI, emphasized Ambani's focus on direct engagement with rescuers to develop effective solutions. The network plans to continue growing, with plans to bring in more animal welfare partners in the coming years.