A sniffer dog salutes His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a public engagement in January 2024.
Photo source: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Instagram page.

“Where there is a mind, there are feelings such as pain, pleasure, and joy. No sentient being wants pain; instead all want happiness. Since we all share these feelings at some basic level, we as rational human beings have an obligation to contribute in whatever way we can to the happiness of other species and try our best to relieve their fears and sufferings.” — His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama

Every life matters. Whether it is a dog waiting for medical care, a rescued farm animal finding safety for the first time, or thousands of tiny creatures being released from danger, each act of kindness creates causes for happiness and great liberation.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and supporters, the Animal Liberation Fund continues to transform compassion into action. The Animal Liberation Fund was established to help fulfill the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche: not only protecting animals from immediate death and suffering but also creating opportunities for their long-term spiritual welfare.

In 2026, a total of US$21,088 has been offered through the fund to support initiatives in the United States, Nepal, France, and India. Together, these efforts show how our compassion for animals can be transformed into meaningful action every day.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche blessing a pony at Les Jardins de Tara in France, 2019.

From sanctuaries offering lifelong refuge to animal liberation practices benefiting thousands of creatures, the Animal Liberation Fund supports many different expressions of compassion. Each project responds to the needs of animals in its own way, while sharing the same aspiration: to protect beings from suffering and create conditions for their long-term well-being and happiness.

Ven. Charles and rescued animals circumambulate a stupa at Les Jardins de Tara in Lavaur, France, February 2026.

Among this year’s recipients is Les Jardins de Tara in Lavaur, France, a sanctuary created and maintained near to Institute Vajra Yogini. The origin of this sanctuary is very moving as the main caretaker was diagnosed with cancer and feared she might not survive. During that difficult period, she made a vow: if she recovered, she would dedicate her life to the welfare of animals. She recovered, and since then has devoted herself wholeheartedly to fulfilling that promise. Her story reminds us how powerful a single compassionate commitment can become.

Today, she cares for more than 1,000 animals, including chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and dogs, many of whom were rescued from slaughter or abandonment. With extraordinary dedication, she works not only for their physical well-being but also for their spiritual welfare, following the advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. Throughout their lives, the animals are surrounded by prayers, mantras, blessed objects, and compassionate care. At the time of death, special practices are performed to help create the causes for a higher rebirth. Through this unique combination of rescue work and Dharma practice, the sanctuary strives to ensure that the animals receive both physical protection and profound spiritual benefit.

As Venerable Charles wrote in a letter supporting the project, the caretaker works “from morning to night, every day,” striving to fulfill Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s wishes for the animals under her care. Her sanctuary stands as a living example of how one person’s compassion can create safety and hope for countless beings.

Liberated crickets at Amitabha Pure Land, Washington.

In 2026, the Animal Liberation Fund awarded a US$4,000 grant to Les Jardins de Tara to help develop secure facilities for rescued animals, including protected areas for dogs and essential animal care infrastructure.

At Buddha Amitabha Pure Land in Washington State, USA, Sangha members continue to carry out animal liberation activities with great devotion and compassion. With the support from the Animal Liberation Fund, approximately 40,000 animals, primarily crickets, were liberated over the past year.

Each week, dedicated prayers and practices are performed for the animals before and after their release, creating causes for future happiness and enlightenment. The monks also continue their unique outreach to animals living in local waterways through the “Wish-Granting Boat,” whose name reflects its purpose: “fulfilling all the wishes of the fish and all others who live in or use this water.” From the boat, mantras and blessings are offered to countless aquatic animals.

Monks of Amitabha Pure Land blessing the beings in the lake.

Compassion is extended even to the smallest creatures. Regular offerings are made to ants and other tiny beings, reflecting the understanding that every life, regardless of size, seeks happiness and wishes to avoid suffering. Through these ongoing activities, thousands of animals receive both practical care and spiritual benefit, embodying the Animal Liberation Fund’s commitment to caring for all beings.

The new Animal Liberation Sanctuary at Sindhupalchok, Nepal. The land is full of lush grass for the animals to enjoy. August 2026.

In 2026, the Animal Liberation Fund granted US$10,000 to help provide food, shelter, medical care, and spiritual support for the rescued animals living at the Animal Liberation Sanctuary in Nepal. A particularly joyful development this year has been the sanctuary’s progress in relocating to its new land in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, creating a more secure and sustainable home for the animals now and into the future. We recently shared a detailed update on the sanctuary’s move and activities, including more photos and stories, which you can explore. 

Rescued dog under the care of Dolma Dog Rescue. Photo source: Dolma Dog Rescue Facebook page.

Dolma Dog Rescue (DDR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and caring for injured, neglected, and abused dogs in Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement in South India. What began as Tsering Dolma’s personal effort to help vulnerable stray dogs gradually grew into a full rescue shelter as the number of animals needing care increased. Since 2018, Dolma, now based in the United States, has largely supported the shelter through her personal savings, while her brother Kalsang oversees daily operations with a small team of staff and volunteers.

Today, DDR provides a safe haven for more than 100 dogs, with regular veterinary care and emergency treatment when needed. In addition to rescuing stray animals, the shelter also supports dogs belonging to local residents by offering vaccinations, medical treatment, and rehabilitation.

Over the past year, DDR vaccinated approximately 700 dogs through its rabies vaccination campaign, sterilized more than 100 dogs, delivered animal welfare education programs to around 500 students, and carried out numerous emergency rescues and specialist veterinary referrals. A US$5,000 grant from the Animal Liberation Fund in 2026 is helping sustain this vital work while supporting plans to improve and expand the shelter’s facilities, ensuring that even more dogs can receive protection they deserve.

Thank You for Making This Possible

None of these achievements would be possible without the kindness of sponsors who understand that animals, like us, experience pain and pleasure, seek happiness, and wish to avoid suffering.

Every donation helps provide food, shelter, medical treatment, rescue from fear and danger, as well as opportunities for meaningful connections with Dharma. Those inspired by these initiatives may wish to explore the many practices and advice recommended by Lama Zopa Rinpoche for benefiting animals.

All are welcome to contribute to the Animal Liberation Fund to help ensure that our work sponsoring animal rescue, care, and liberation continues.