Brooke India runs its operations across 10 states of India through its 32 Equine Welfare Projects (EWP). The EWPs comprise the members of the equine-owning communities who rear the equines and depend upon them for their livelihood. Over the period of two decades, Brooke India has grown from a mobile ambulance team that provided free treatment to suffering animals to a team that works in partnership with local communities, large organizations, and the government to raise the profile of working equids and the issues they face.

For BI, equine health and welfare remain critical aspects. BI acknowledges, that the needs of working equines can only be alleviated if the equine owners who own and rear them, are financially capable, sensitized, and trained for adopting good animal husbandry and welfare practices. Towards this end, our programmatic intervention currently focuses on the following two aspects:

• To improve the health and welfare of the equines
• To develop the economic and social conditions of the marginalized equine-owning communities

Our Theory of Change outlines how we believe sustainable improvement to equine welfare happens. Our programs respond to this theory and focus on interventions that can best deliver the goals to be achieved both through our efforts and in partnership with other organizations. Hence, BI delivers on the Theory of Change with complementary partnerships at the advocacy and knowledge level.

We transform equid welfare in communities, helping them to thrive and become more resilient. The adoption of sustainable improvement in equine husbandry and management practices has led to an improvement in animal welfare.

Brooke India’s Strategy of Intervention

Our programmatic focus is on effective community mobilization and participation of equine owning communities. We prioritize diversified livelihood options for socio-economic empowerment of women members in the community thereby promoting freedom from discrimination and the right to participation. We also support women's EWGs to strengthen civil society participation and action towards just and democratic governance that ensures the provision of basic public services and social protection in response to both the humanitarian and sustainable development needs of the community, especially women.

We encourage sustainable equine welfare, adoption of alternate livelihood options to build resilient communities through capacity building, networking and by supporting communities in disaster risk management and emergency response. We have facilitated a conducive National and State policy environment for improved animal health system & welfare of working equines in India. BI also provides emergency treatment services as per Brooke Service Provision guidelines to working equines in need of urgent medical intervention through dedicated equine fair extension intervention.

BI’s Works in Phases

 BI works in phases to accomplish its goals by providing veterinary services for working equines. We work on equine welfare through the provision of free veterinary and support services and focus on long term sustainable improvement in equine welfare. We focus on holistic approach to achieve improved equine welfare with an emphasis on strengthening the local service delivery system in addition to the above.

For the overall welfare of the equines and the equine-owing communities, we try to influence the visibility and inclusion of equid needs in policy and practices at all levels, including disaster and emergency preparedness. We also collaborate with other organizations to prepare equine owing communities to mitigate risk and respond to disasters. BI also develops sustainable animal health systems that meet working equids’ immediate needs. It also increases its visibility by creating partnerships and networks for strategic funding and communication.