________________
The Rise of Pinjrapoles and the Fall.... : 53
I have volunteered my time and resource with several sanctuaries in the United States and visited quite a few more while I was here, including the Delhi Charity Birds Hospital, the Ahimsā Teerth in Jalgaon, the cow sheltar at Jain Irrigation and the help in suffering animal rescue in Jaipur. Of these four pinjrapoles and goshalas (cow sanctuaries) I visited in India, three were run by Jains, confirming to me the activity of Jain philanthrophy I have heard so much about in this sector.
As of now, pinjrapoles and sanctuaries all over the world operate apart from zoos, but they do not currently challenge zoos to either reform or shut down. Despite this fact, I see an immense opportunity for pinjrapoles to accomplish this feat, becoming both self-sustaining and true centers of humane education, presenting themselves as a kinder alternative to zoo visitors and truly educating their visitors in a humane manner. To get there, however, some major changes do have to occur within the pinjrapoles themselves.
While the intent of pinjrapoles is always the most beneficent, many unfortunately suffer from some of the same problems as zoos. This is especially true when it comes to surplus animals. While zoos hide or sell away their surplus animals, pinjrapoles keep them long-term and as a result often get focused on keeping their inhabitants alive rather than making sure they thrive. As a result, many pinjrapoles often neglect to provide their animals with any more stimulation or naturalistic enclosures than even the worst zoos. Accordingly, not only do the animals in them suffer more than they should but the pinjrapoles themselves are often very depressing for their visitors and volunteers. This in turn does not create the happy atmosphere that is needed for pinjrapoles to truly challenge zoos and attract visitors, volunteers and donations but instead it creates an atmosphere of sadness that many visitors tend to avoid. While zoos solution to this problem is totally impermissible and should not be replicated, this problem nonetheless must be addressed for pinjrapoles to best care for their animals and to overtake the zoo industry.Birthcontrol, a method already being used by both zoos and sanctuaries in the United States, should certainly be implemented in pinjrapoles in India and elsewhere. Additionally,pinjrapoles and goshalas like the Ahiṁsā Tirth in Jalgaon need to stop breeding cows for their milk while they and India generally, are already so overpopulated with cattle. No matter if their intent is pure, this action causes dravya-hiṁsā and it should cease. True euthanasia, used on a case-by-case basis, may also be considered in the case of perpetually suffering animals. Though Jains historically have been quite hard in their stance against this practice, if both the intent and action of euthanasia provide only relief and not suffering, there is a strong argument for Jains to reconsider this stance in the light of anekāntavāda. Several of our Professors already supported this in relation to humans, however, such conversation should also be extended to nonhumans.
Though the Ahimsā Tirth does present a perfect example of an overpopulation problem within a pinjrapole, it also presents an equally important piece of the puzzle in the operation of its You Turn museum. A picture of humane education, the Ahimsa Tirth's You Turn museum operates with the goal of helping people make a “U-Turn" in their life toward animals. On the first floor, You Turn exhibits pictures and information about animal issues ranging from meat-eating to
