When I came to India, I carried a simple hope: to find a small charity where a single person could make a meaningful difference. Staying in the Rishikesh area gave me the gift of time—time to know the people behind the work, to witness their commitment, and to truly see how compassion can ripple through a community. Within my very first week, I met Nick, a young man whose quiet determination and enormous heart immediately stood out.

Nick runs LivingAnimals77, a grassroots effort devoted to caring for cows and dogs on the streets of Rishikesh. What began as a mission has become his life’s calling. From daily feeding to emergency medical care, Nick shows up—often in the middle of the night—to help animals who have no one else. I’ve seen him rush to assist a cow giving birth, and I’ve also witnessed the heartbreak of losing an animal despite every effort. Through it all, Nick treats each life with dignity, love, and deep respect, even when it means laying an animal to rest with care and honor. Please check out his pages on Instagram and Facebook (@livinganimals77) to see for yourself the incredible work that is being done.

In India, cows are sacred and roam freely, but that doesn’t protect them from illness, injury, extreme heat, cold winters, or the harsh monsoon season. Nick works hand-in-hand with veterinarians, local officials, community groups, and a dedicated team of volunteers to meet these challenges head-on. His dream for 2026 is to build a shelter just outside of Rishikesh—a safe haven where animals can rest, recover, and where mothers and babies can be protected and nurtured together.

This is where you come in. My goal is to raise $750 to purchase the materials needed to build this shelter. The land has already been donated, and Nick is organizing volunteers to bring this vision to life. This is a small campaign, but it has the potential for an enormous impact. I invite you to join me in helping Nik turn compassion into something tangible—something that will shelter, heal, and save lives. Since coming to India, I’ve developed a deep fondness for cows (as you can see in the photo), and I hope you’ll feel inspired to be part of this journey too.