To say cows get a little more respect in India than they do here in Canada would be a major understatement.
After all, they are sacred.
Earlier this year, the government of the state of Maharashtra banned the slaughter of cows and the possession of beef in the state. With the ban, people are prevented from selling their aging cows to slaughterhouses, which brought up a dilemma: what to do with the elderly cows.
The solution, as it turns out, is to house them in retirement homes, an increasingly popular destination for aging cows.
Now, an estimated 25,000 cow shelters around India provide cattle with protection from illegal slaughter, in addition to comfortable surroundings in which to spend their last years. Here, the cows get to mingle with other cows, daydream the day away in the sun, and graze on quality food.
Not a bad life.
Image: Allison Joyce
Image: Allison Joyce
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