Jangsa Animal Saving Trust

Overview

Jangsa Animal Saving Trust (JAST) is a registered non-profit charitable organisation in Bhutan, founded in 2000 by Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche. Rooted in the Buddhist practice of tsethar (life liberation — the saving of animal lives), Jangsa is one of Bhutan's most prominent animal welfare organisations, operating shelters, veterinary services, and advocacy programmes across the country.^[1]

Founding

The organisation was established after what Lama Kunzang Dorjee describes as an "auspicious coincidence" — five bulls appeared to seek refuge from a local slaughterhouse at his main seat monastery, Jangsa Dechen Choling, in Kalimpong, India. This event inspired him to dedicate his work to saving animal lives.^[2]

Founder: Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche

Born in 1970 into the sacred Nyö lineage of Gyalwang Lhanangpa, Lama Kunzang Dorjee Rinpoche is a vegetarian Buddhist teacher who holds the spiritual lineages of the Dudjom Tersar and Longchen Nyingthig traditions. His father, Lama Pema Longdrol, was a heart disciple of H.H. Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche, the head of the Nyingma school. Rinpoche is a cousin of H.H. the Je Khenpo, the head of the Drukpa Kagyu in Bhutan.^[3]

He heads three monasteries: Jangsa Dechen Choling (Kalimpong), Lhundrup Dechenling (eastern Bhutan), and Pema Yoedling (southern Bhutan).^[3]

Programmes and Activities

Animal Rescue and Shelter

Jangsa operates animal shelters in Thimphu (near Royal Thimphu College at Serbithang) and maintains animals in sanctuaries and pasturelands across Bhutan and India. The organisation cares for approximately 600 bulls, 40 yaks, 137 pigs, 23 sheep, 2 goats, and 9 ducks in eastern and northern Bhutan. Additional animals are sheltered at sites in Kalimpong and Siliguri, India.^[2]

The Thimphu shelter cares for dogs, pigs, and cattle, providing food three times daily and veterinary treatment. An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was opened to provide emergency care to injured and infected animals, particularly dogs.^[4]

Dog Sterilisation and Adoption

Jangsa promotes stray dog adoption and advocates for sterilisation as a humane method of population management. The organisation was recognised as a key stakeholder in Bhutan's historic achievement of becoming the first country in the world to sterilise and vaccinate its entire free-roaming dog population through the Nationwide Accelerated Dog Population Management and Rabies Control Programme (NADPM & RCP).^[5]

Advocacy and Education

Jangsa runs nationwide advocacy campaigns, with volunteers travelling across all 20 dzongkhags using theatre acts and presentations in schools, government offices, and local communities to discuss food choices and their consequences from both scientific and spiritual perspectives. This campaign was documented in the organisation's film Zhiwai Lamtoen (The Path of Peace).^[1]

Tsethar (Life Liberation)

The Buddhist practice of tsethar — saving the lives of animals destined for slaughter — is central to Jangsa's mission. The organisation rescues cattle, pigs, goats, and other animals from slaughter and provides them with lifelong care in shelters and pasturelands.^[2]

Partnerships and Recognition

Jangsa has received support from the Bhutan Foundation and Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) for its advocacy programmes.^[6] The organisation was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Royal Government for its role in national animal welfare programmes alongside the Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals (RSPCA Bhutan) and the Humane Society International.^[5]

Jangsa is registered with GuideStar (EIN: 20-8701462) and the Civil Society Organizations Authority (CSOA) of Bhutan.^[7]

Media

Jangsa maintains an active online presence through its official website, Facebook page, and Instagram account, sharing daily updates on rescue operations, shelter activities, and advocacy campaigns.^[1]