Cow protection is an important issue for followers of Srila Prabhupada and for the world. In his books, Srila Prabhupada often urges cow protection. For example, in the purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.4.9 he writes, “To kill cows means to end human civilization.”
Cow protection may sound a little out of place in modern life. You can’t keep a cow or two in your laundry or even out in the backyard in most cities of the world.
Fortunately Krishna’s devotees are bringing cow protection to us on-line. Using the Internet, you can reach out and take part in the protection and upkeep of Krishna’s favorite animal.
The mission of the International Society for Cow Protection (ISCOWP) is to present alternatives to agricultural practices that support and depend upon the meat industry and industrialized, petroleum-powered machinery.
The ISCOWP website (www.iscowp.org) offers a variety of information about cow protection programs. You can download videos and books such as The Cow Protection Book and Dung Is a Goldmine.
Click on the Adopting a Cow link on the ISCOWP site and find out how you can take part. Browse photos of cows that need adopting.
The Care for Cows in Vrindavan website (www.careforcows.org) helps raise awareness and money for a variety of projects. The goal of this organization is to maintain abandoned cows and bulls, retired oxen, and orphaned calves in Vrindavan, India.
Browse the gallery and see photos of beautiful cows taking shelter at the goshala (cow sanctuary). You can view videos and subscribe to the newsletter. Click on How Can I Help to see how you can assist with the programs. In the Care for Cows on-line store, you can buy cruelty-free incense and soap and even cow dung patties for Vedic sacrifices.
Read the articles that support a vegetarian diet and explain the principles of cow protection. The news section has interesting stories about the use of cow dung and urine as well as cow decoration.
The project urgently needs to acquire more land to protect abandoned cows in Vrindavan. Go to the website to find out more.
Save a Cow Save the World (www.geocities.com/gorakshyamtrust/) is a project of the Gorakshyam Trust. The aim of the Trust is to use cow protection to promote awareness of Lord Krishna and of Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.
The project currently shelters more than twenty-five cows that would otherwise have been auctioned off, ending up at abattoirs. Click on the Adopt a Cow Now link to see photos of the cows that need support.