Animal Aid Unlimited (AAU)

Animal Aid Unlimited (AAU) runs Udaipur's hospital, rescue centre and sanctuary for ownerless street animals. Its founders, Erika, Jim and their daughter Claire, first travelled to Udaipur from Seattle in the 1990s, and in 2002 they hired a vet, rented a small piece of land and began rescuing injured animals. Claire now leads the management team.

Today AAU works from three leased acres in Badi village on the edge of Udaipur, with a staff of around 150 and volunteers from around the world. At any one time it cares for about 700 animals in its hospital and shelter, among them dogs, cows, donkeys, cats and birds. Members of the public call its rescue helpline to report animals that are ill, injured or trapped, and a rescue team brings them in for treatment.

AAU says it helped 22,073 animals in 2025 and sterilised 4,879 street dogs through its Animal Birth Control programme, which also vaccinates against rabies. It runs outreach and education work and responds to cruelty cases. Its rescue videos have a very large following on YouTube. AAU has announced Unlimited Unleashed, a new, larger hospital, rescue centre and sanctuary, with construction planned to begin in 2026.

In India the work is run by the Animal Aid Charitable Trust, which is tax-exempt under section 80G. In the United States, Animal Aid Unlimited is a registered 501(c)(3) charity (EIN 71-0884843). You can donate online, sponsor an animal, leave a legacy gift or volunteer. Its website also has a page for planning a visit.