Help in Suffering (HIS) began not with grand plans, but with a single act of defiance against suffering. In 1980, Crystal Rogers, an Englishwoman who had spent most of her life in India, founded the first Help in Suffering clinic in Jaipur. With a small team, including early supporters like Mr. G.K. Tiwari, Ajay Lobo’s family, and Dr. T. Ramchandani, she turned a patch of abandoned land in Durgapura into a sanctuary for suffering animals.
Jaipur, India
In the same year, Christine Townend, an Australian activist deeply moved by the plight of animals, arrived in Jaipur. She had already co-founded Animal Liberation in Australia and vowed to dedicate her life to animal welfare. When she met Crystal, their shared vision took shape. Together, they expanded HIS from a modest clinic to a thriving shelter, rescuing donkeys, puppies, and injured street animals, often using nothing more than a cycle-rickshaw.
HIS flourished with the support of international allies. Organizations like Animaux Secours (France) and individuals like Mme. Janine Vogler helped transform the barren land into a verdant, eco-friendly haven. The shelter became a model of free, quality veterinary care, offering emergency medical and surgical treatment to thousands of animals, dogs, cats, cows, buffaloes, camels, and even elephants.
HIS didn’t just treat animals, it changed systems. The Animal Birth Control (ABC) & Rabies Control Programme, launched in 2001, became a blueprint for humane street dog management. By 2003, ABC was adopted as national policy, making Jaipur one of India’s first rabies-free cities. The Camel Welfare Programme, started in 2001, brought veterinary care to remote desert communities, while the Camel Rescue Centre (CRC) in Bassi (2011) became a sanctuary for abused and abandoned camels.
Timmie Kumar, a volunteer turned Managing Trustee, took the helm in 2002. Under her leadership, HIS expanded its reach, treating 5,000–7,000 camels annually and advocating for elephants in Jaipur. Timmie’s dedication earned her the Pride of Jaipur Award (2012) and recognition for her work in social welfare.
Today, HIS stands as a beacon of hope, driven by:
for every life, big or small.
with global partners like Working for Animals (Australia) and FIAPO (India).
in animal welfare, from ABC to mobile clinics.
that kindness can transform the world.
From a single clinic to a global movement, HIS remains rooted in its founding promise: No animal should suffer alone. As we look ahead, we invite you to join us, because every act of kindness, no matter how small, writes the next chapter of our story.
Help in Suffering is dedicated to providing care, comfort, and quality veterinary treatment to animals in need. We work tirelessly to:
Rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned and suffering animals.
Ensure a rabies-free Jaipur through vaccination, sterilization, and community education.
Engage hearts, hands, and minds to create a society that values and protects all animals.
Help in Suffering is dedicated to providing care, comfort, and quality veterinary treatment to animals in need. We work tirelessly to:
A humane and compassionate Jaipur where animals have access to quality treatment and care, and where communities understand the vital interconnection between animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability.
At the heart of everything we do are the values that guide us:
Crystal Rogers was born on November 17, 1906, and dedicated her life to the care and protection of animals. Her journey to India in 1959, originally en route to New Zealand, became a turning point. Moved by the suffering of street and working animals, she chose to stay and create sanctuaries for those in need. That same year, she founded The Animals Friend in Delhi, offering refuge and care to abandoned and injured animals.
In 1978, she moved to Jaipur and established Help in Suffering, a shelter built on compassion, dignity, and community. Her pioneering work earned her the Richard Martin Award from the RSPCA and the Prani Mitra Award from the Government of India and the Animal Welfare Board of India, recognising her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.
Crystal Rogers inspired a generation of animal welfare leaders across India. Even at the age of 85, she continued to build and co-found impactful initiatives that have since grown into some of the country’s most active animal welfare organisations.
Her legacy lives on in every life saved and every act of kindness sparked by her vision. Help in Suffering stands as a testament to her belief that all sentient beings deserve compassion and care.
Over the years, Help in Suffering has been honoured by some of the world’s leading animal welfare and veterinary institutions. Each award is a tribute to the compassion, dedication, and integrity that guide our work every day.
Help in Suffering has received the Global Sustainability Award under SDG 15 (Life on Land) for our commitment to protecting ecosystems through animal welfare. Launched in 2021, the awards honour changemakers worldwide advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, celebrating innovation and collaboration across 20+ countries.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, Senior Veterinary Doctor at Help in Suffering, has been honoured by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) for leading our Animal Birth Control and Anti-Rabies Vaccination programme a model that has helped make Jaipur one of India’s first rabies-free cities.
One of the most prestigious global honours in animal welfare, awarded to Help in Suffering for “Outstanding Practical Work Over Many Years in the Field of Animal Welfare and Protection.
Our Veterinary Director, Dr. Jack Reece, was elected a Fellow of the RCVS in recognition of his pioneering contributions to animal welfare and veterinary science.
Presented to Help in Suffering as the “Best NGO Working for the Well-being of Animals,” recognising our commitment to rescue, care, and rehabilitation.
An early national recognition for our compassionate service and lasting impact on animal welfare in India.
Two of our longest-serving leaders were recognised for their extraordinary dedication:
– Managing Trustee Timmie Kumar (2012), honoured by Dr. Andrew Rowan and Wayne Pacelle.
Dr. Jack Reece (2007), honoured by Dr. Andrew Rowan, President of HSI.
HIS is registered as a Charitable Trust
HIS is granted exemption of Income Tax under Section 80G for all donations and has been given permission to accept foreign contributions under the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act (FCRA)
HIS is also registered with the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)
United States: Help in Suffering, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 99-4006061),
United Kingdom: Help in Suffering UK is a Registered Charity (No. 1081579)
