- An ambulance to provide immediate medical services to stray animals was flagged off.
- The TACO shelter will be constructing an advanced OPD and an operation theatre
FARIDABAD (India CSR Correspondent): The Animal Care Organization (TACO), under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), the philanthropic arm of Vedanta Group, laid the foundation stone for infrastructure upgradation of the shelter and flagged off a veterinary ambulance in Faridabad today. The event took place in the presence of Ms. Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. And Anchor, TACO, and Shri Vikram Singh (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad from TACO’s animal shelter in Faizpur Khadar, Faridabad.
With the launch of the animal ambulance, TACO would provide rescue services and immediate medical attention to stray animals, ensuring high quality of healthcare. Stray animals that are distressed, injured, and need medical care will be brought to the TACO shelter in Faizpur Khadar for intensive treatment. The ambulance, equipped with hydraulic facility and basic emergency life support medicines will provide first aid, care, and immediate relief to animals in distress and carry them to the TACO shelter, shall be manned by a para-veterinarian and a driver-cum-attendee. However, a doctor shall be available on a need basis as well.
The ambulance will operate through an on-call service** across Faridabad and ply in rural parts of the district. At its shelter, TACO has already been running an Outpatient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) to provide medical care to animals. Currently, the TACO shelter houses 100 plus animals and provides treatment to animals on a regular basis.
The event also witnessed a groundbreaking ceremony paving the way for infrastructure upgradation of the 7-acre facility. The shelter, post construction, will be equipped with a fully functional OPD clinic and an operation theatre. It will also include separate enclosures for ailing cattle, pregnant animals, and for those to be under quarantine.
During the flag off, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., Non-Executive Director, Vedanta Ltd. And Anchor, TACO, said, “Project TACO has been formed with the intent of preventing animal cruelty, and ensuring all animals live in an environment in which they thrive. Animals are often deprived of immediate health assistance in case of accidents or illness; therefore, the aim is to ensure no animal loses its life owing to the lack of necessary quality healthcare. To ensure best medical practices for animals, one of the focus areas of TACO is to develop quality veterinary care system which requires better training for veterinarians and availability of quality infrastructure and equipment across India.”
Sharing his thoughts, Vikram Singh (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Faridabad said, “Sick and injured stray animals often go unattended and it is heartening to see the support that Anil Agarwal Foundation’s marquee project TACO has extended for animals in need. We have always welcomed supporting hands from organizations and knowledge partners to create an infrastructure for the well-being of all living beings, giving them the quality life, they deserve. This initiative would supplement our efforts towards providing necessary medical attention to animals and rehabilitate them.”
TACO was founded by Priya Agarwal Hebbar with a vision to create a nurturing environment for animals by advancing care and enhancing welfare. With an initial budget of INR 100 crores, the program is already operational in Haryana & Rajasthan and would be expanded to other Indian States. In March 2022, Anil Agarwal Foundation signed an MoU with the Government of Haryana to adopt Tapobhoomi Gaushala located in Faizpur Khadar, Faridabad, and has developed it as a model animal shelter to provide veterinary healthcare services.
To report about stray animals in need of emergency medical services in Faridabad, call TACO’s helpline number 7500 40 30 20.
The Animal Care Organization
The Animal Care Organization (TACO) is a unique animal welfare project aimed at providing world-class infrastructure, veterinary services, a training facility, and animal shelters to heal and protect animals. TACO’s six pillars of shelter, hospital, academy, wildlife conservation, disaster relief efforts and sectoral engagement aim to develop international standards for animal welfare. Advanced animal healthcare, preventive veterinary care, a spay and neuter programme, diagnostics, and mobile emergency care units will be the main priorities of the proposed multi-specialty veterinary hospital. A TACO run academy will offer short-term courses for a variety of target groups, including veterinarians and paraprofessionals, the animal shelter will concentrate on rescue, rehabilitation, geriatric and palliative care, animal housing services, nutrition, and well-being.
Anil Agarwal Foundation
The Anil Agarwal Foundation is the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s community and social initiatives. The focus areas of the Foundation are Healthcare, Women and Child development, Animal Welfare Projects and Sports Initiatives. Anil Agarwal Foundation aims to empower communities, transform lives, and facilitate nation building through sustainable and inclusive growth.
