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Through His divine teachings, Lord Shree Swaminarayan has taught us to have the utmost of respect for all life. We must show compassion for all of God’s creatures.

In accordance with these ideals, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree inspired a special camp in the town of Unza on 19th and 20th December 2004. The inhabitants of the region around this town are mainly farmers. Most cannot afford medical treatment for themselves. They certainly do not have the capability of providing medicines for their animals.

By the command of Acharya Swamishree, the Mahant of Shree Swaminarayan Temple Maninagar, Sadguru Shashtri Shree Bhagwatpriyadasji Swami and sants presided over the two day camp. Under the auspices of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, over 300 sick animals were treated by veterinarians who had been specially brought in from Ahmedabad. The vets not only diagnosed the ailments, they also provided medicines and even performed minor operations.

During the opening of the camp, Sadguru Shashtri Swami said, “This animal treatment camp has been held due to the benevolence of Acharya Swamishree. In the Shikshapatri, Lord Shree Swaminarayan says that you should keep animals if you have sufficient means to provide for them adequately, with food and water. Otherwise, you should not keep the animals, because by causing distress to them, you are causing pain to a creature of God. For that reason, Lord Swaminarayan has commanded that if people keep animals, adequate fodder must be set aside for them, in the same manner that sufficient funds and food is kept for the future needs of their family.”

Over 50 vets and other volunteers were involved in this camp. The region’s officials also attended the event to lend their moral support and to thank Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan for providing such an important charitable deed in their town.