Kamdhenu Gau Dhaam Trust
About Us
Beri Gate, Amritsar
Situated inside Beri Gate, opposite Sanjeevan Hospital and adjoining Police Station D-Division, Amritsar – 143001, Kamdhenu Gau Dhaam – Beri Gate is a dedicated shelter providing care, protection and a safe environment to abandoned and destitute cows. Spread across 2,345 Square Feet, the Gau Dhaam currently provides a secure home to 12 cows.
The shelter is managed by a team of 3 paid Sevadaars (helpers), who take responsibility for the daily needs and wellbeing of the cows. From feeding and maintaining cleanliness to observing their health and attending to their individual requirements, the Sevadaars ensure that the animals are cared for with compassion and dignity.
Our philosophy is centred around treating cows with respect and kindness. As Kamdhenu Gau Dhaam does not operate as a dairy business, the cows are never viewed merely as sources of milk. Every animal is considered a life worthy of care, protection and affection.
Special attention is given to the health and wellbeing of each cow. Their condition is observed regularly so that any signs of illness, injury or discomfort can be addressed in a timely manner. Medical assistance is provided whenever required to ensure that sick or injured animals receive appropriate care.
Along with nutritious food and medical attention, the shelter strives to maintain access to fresh drinking water and a clean and comfortable living environment. Our Sevadaars work every day to ensure that the cows at Beri Gate have a place where they can live safely and peacefully, surrounded by care and compassion.
The shelter is managed by a team of 3 paid Sevadaars (helpers), who take responsibility for the daily needs and wellbeing of the cows. From feeding and maintaining cleanliness to observing their health and attending to their individual requirements, the Sevadaars ensure that the animals are cared for with compassion and dignity.
Our philosophy is centred around treating cows with respect and kindness. As Kamdhenu Gau Dhaam does not operate as a dairy business, the cows are never viewed merely as sources of milk. Every animal is considered a life worthy of care, protection and affection.
Special attention is given to the health and wellbeing of each cow. Their condition is observed regularly so that any signs of illness, injury or discomfort can be addressed in a timely manner. Medical assistance is provided whenever required to ensure that sick or injured animals receive appropriate care.
Along with nutritious food and medical attention, the shelter strives to maintain access to fresh drinking water and a clean and comfortable living environment. Our Sevadaars work every day to ensure that the cows at Beri Gate have a place where they can live safely and peacefully, surrounded by care and compassion.
Our Activities
Bringing Them Home
It is mostly through a rescue call that we are informed about an injured cow. Immediately our rescue team makes the effort to bring the cow to our Gau Dhaam where the doctor inspects, prescribes and begins the necessary treatment. After filling the admission form the cow is shifted to a special care unit. The second way is when the Municipal Corporation brings the stray cattle to the shelter. Here, the cow may or may not be injured but it is not allowed to mingle with other fellow cows unless the Vet approves. This is the rehabilitation process which may take a couple of days to weeks depending upon the physical condition of the cow.
Medical Care
Medical Care - It is our next major expense after Nutritious food. Do you know why they were abandoned in the first place. It is because they were of no use to the dairy industry. This means that the cow could either not produce enough milk or was old enough to bear a calf or it was inflicted with some medical ailment which caused money and the dairy owner didn’t want to spend on the treatment. It is, in most cases, after the cow has entered old age that they are left on the streets to eat plastic and die or meet with a fatal accident. We are not here to collect all the stray cattle of the city in one place to avoid road accidents but to provide a loving home that everyone deserves. We have a permanent Vet (Animal doctor) on board with all the required medicines in stock. We only cater to old, sick or injured and guess what, we do not know of even one more cow shed around us that does the same. Apart from the Vet’s office and Special care unit we also have some space for an operation theatre which is only used when necessary.
Nutritious Diet
Our major expense like any other Cow shed is that of a Nutritious Diet for our Cows. One cow eats approximately 10 Kgs of fresh green fodder and its mixed with 10 Kgs of dry grass. Apart from this Chokar is distributed evenly among all. On an average, we purchase 30 quintals of Green fodder, 30 quintals of dry fodder and about 50 KGs of Chokar every day. Our estimated running cost of the entire Gau Dhaam for one day is Rs.30,000 and Rs.9,00,000 for an entire month. If you wish to donate for their nutritious diet or the expenses of the Gau Dhaam.
What Makes us Different
- Unlike other cow shelters running in the state, this is probably the only home that is not involved in the dairy business. If there is any milk left after feeding the calves, it is used by the sevadaars and we do not sell it anywhere.
- We do not differentiate among any cow on the basis of its breed. For us, all cows are the same and all are provided with the same affectionate treatment.
- Our major expense after providing for their nourishing food is their medical treatment. Since they were abandoned in the first place due to old age and ailments. We make sure to provide the best medical treatment possible.
- Being environmentally conscious we do not allow plastic in any form to enter our premises except for the medicine packings. We are also collecting funds to install solar energy panels so that our Gau Dhaam is powered by Clean energy.
- We discourage the breeding of cows at our shelter to prevent them from falling victims to animal cruelty at various dairy farms.
- We have made a different shed for ill and ailing cows, they are kept under special observation and the Vet pays a visit on all working days.
- All the bovine cows have been tagged and named. This helps us keep a track of their medical record and provide better care for them.
- We are collecting funds for installing CCTV cameras so that the lives of our cows at Gau Dhaam are under surveillance and a good music system to play Bhajans and Kirtans for the cows from 6 Am to 6 PM. If you wish to contribute to any specific cause you can contact the manager directly.
Come Visit Us
You have to visit us to believe in the clean and hygienic environment we endeavour to provide at our shelter. We are open for visits from 8 AM in the morning to 5 PM in the evening every day. Any tourist visiting the Attari Border (Wagah Border) or The War Memorial and Museum or Sadda Pind can drop by to pay a visit at our Gau Dhaam. Our vision is to make it a people’s cause where anyone who is genuinely willing to offer seva for distressed cows gets an opportunity at our humble Abode for cows.