Animal Welfare Policy

Last Updated Date: 28/08/2025

1. Purpose and Commitment

Highway delite recognizes the importance of protecting all animals and treating them with empathy, as they are essential for humane existence on this planet. We are committed to ethical engagement and lawful conduct, and do not support or associate with any activity that involves cruelty, neglect, or exploitation of animals, whether in the wild, in captivity, or in performance settings or in any activity organized through our Platform.

In furtherance of our commitment towards protection of animals, we adhere to the laws for protection of animals, and this Policy is established in accordance with Indian laws for the time being in force, including but not limited to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, read with allied rules framed thereunder. In India, animal cruelty is punishable under Section 325 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 which stipulates that — “Whoever commits mischief by killing, poisoning, maiming or rendering useless any animal shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both.”

Highway delite is committed to:

  • Ensuring protection and welfare of all animals in conducting its business and otherwise;
  • Discouraging commercialization or entertainment practices that compromise animal well-being;
  • Promoting awareness against animal cruelty through trainings, roadshows, social media campaigns, and educating people that animals are essential for humane existence and protection of environments;
  • Assisting the law enforcement agencies and statutory bodies in taking action against animal cruelty wherever and whenever so required;
  • Periodically reviewing and updating our policy in accordance with extant law and in consultation with experts and stakeholders.

This Policy is integral to our sustainability and ethical tourism goals and applies to all listings, partners, and experiences involving animals.

Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy shall have the meanings ascribed to them under the General Terms of Use of the Platform.

2. Scope and Applicability

  1. This Policy applies to all employees, directors, and all others associated with Highway delite either as service provider or as service recipient, or as business partner, including Merchants.
  2. This Policy extends to all activities done through the Platform, whether conducted in the wild, in captivity, or within controlled environments such as zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, farms, or cultural institutions.
  3. Highway delite recognizes the socio-economic and educational importance of responsible animal experiences, but remains firmly opposed to any form of cruelty, neglect, or commodification of animals for the sole purpose of entertainment or profit. Accordingly:
    • This Policy governs all activities involving direct or indirect use of animals, including observation-based tourism, petting interactions, feeding programs, animal rides, performances, and photographic props.
    • It is mandatory for all Partners offering animal-related listings on the Platform to comply with:
      1. Indian legal requirements, including the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and relevant Rules, Notifications, and Amendments thereof; and
      2. Internationally recognized animal welfare standards, such as the Five Domains of Animal Welfare framework, which include:
        1. Nutrition: access to clean water and species-appropriate, adequate diet;
        2. Environment: naturalistic and comfortable surroundings, free from distressing stimuli;
        3. Health: prompt access to veterinary care, disease prevention, and physical well-being;
        4. Behavior: freedom to engage in natural, species-specific behaviors including socialization, exploration, and rest;
        5. Mental State: promoting positive states and minimizing negative experiences like fear and pain.
    • Highway delite reserves the right to delist any animal-related activity or Merchant that is found, at any time, to be in violation of this Policy, the Applicable Laws, or the values of ethical tourism and animal protection.
  4. This Policy extends to both domestic and wild animals, and applies irrespective of the size, scale, or purpose of the activity. All operators are expected to maintain transparency, cooperate during audits or investigations, and adopt ongoing improvements in line with evolving welfare standards.

3. Prohibited Practices

  1. To ensure that all animal-related activities on the Platform are aligned with the values of humane treatment and legal compliance, Highway delite strictly prohibits listing or promoting any activity, attraction, or facility that involves:
    • Cruelty, neglect, or abuse of animals, including practices that cause unnecessary pain, fear, injury, or long-term distress;
    • Captive animal performances involving forced, unnatural, or coerced behaviors (e.g., dancing bears, dolphin shows, elephant painting, or monkey tricks);
    • Festivals or celebrations of any social or traditional event involving torture on animals (e.g., Jallikattu);
    • Direct physical interaction with wild animals for entertainment purposes, such as petting, hugging, selfie props, or riding, where such interaction is not aligned with animal welfare norms or legal authorizations;
    • Use of sedation, baiting, or confinement to make wild or exotic animals more approachable or compliant for tourists or photographers;
    • Breeding, trading, or capturing animals solely for entertainment, tourism, or commercial gain, in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, or similar Applicable Laws;
    • Trophy hunting, blood sports, or animal fighting, whether offered directly or facilitated through affiliated partners or third-party providers;
    • Consumption, promotion, or sale of wild animal parts, products, or derivatives (e.g., ivory, bile, skin, bushmeat), except where permitted under law and not involving endangered or protected species.
  2. Highway delite will not work with any Merchant, operator, or facility that is found engaging in or promoting any of the above activities, or that has a history of repeated violations, regulatory sanctions, or adverse findings by competent animal welfare bodies.
  3. In case of doubt or ambiguity regarding whether an activity falls within these prohibited categories, Highway delite will consult with relevant legal authorities, animal welfare experts, or accredited certifying bodies before listing or continuing to promote such offerings.

4. Permitted Experiences and Evaluation Criteria

  1. Highway delite supports animal-related activities that are ethical, educational, conservation-aligned, and compliant with all Applicable Laws and welfare standards. The following categories of experiences may be permitted on the Platform, subject to review and continuous monitoring:
    • Wildlife Observation: Non-intrusive activities (e.g., safaris, treks, whale watching) where animals are observed without interference in their natural habitat.
    • Registered Sanctuaries: Visits to sanctuaries or rescue centres officially recognized by Indian or international bodies, excluding any that breed, trade, or exhibit animals for entertainment.
    • Accredited Zoos and Aquariums: Institutions certified by competent authorities (e.g., CZA, WAZA) with demonstrated commitments to welfare, education, and conservation.
    • Domestic Animal Encounters: Farm or educational interactions that meet statutory hygiene, housing, and veterinary standards.
    • Cultural Uses: Traditional animal involvement (e.g., ceremonial use) only where compliant with applicable welfare regulations and subject to periodic assessment.
  2. Highway delite retains full discretion to approve, reject, or delist any activity based on its internal review, expert recommendations, or evidence of non-compliance with this Policy, even if such experience may be permitted under law.

5. Monitoring, Enforcement, and Grievance Redressal

  1. Highway delite maintains an ongoing review mechanism to assess compliance with this Policy. This may include random audits, user feedback reviews, field verification, and consultations with subject-matter experts or regulators.
  2. Any User, Customer, or third party may report a suspected violation of this Policy by writing to compliance@rzervit.com or through the designated grievance redressal portal on the Platform. Reports should include sufficient detail (such as photos, descriptions, or incident dates) to facilitate preliminary investigation.
  3. Upon receipt of a credible report or internal observation of non-compliance:
    1. Highway delite may seek clarification or documentation in support thereof;
    2. Temporarily suspend the listing pending inquiry; and
    3. Where warranted, engage relevant authorities, including local animal welfare boards or wildlife enforcement agencies.
  4. Highway delite's enforcement of this Policy is not contingent upon actual regulatory action or prosecution. The Platform reserves the right to take independent action based on its internal standards and ethics, even in the absence of legal adjudication.

6. Policy Review and Modifications

  1. This Policy is subject to regular review and may be updated by Highway delite from time to time to reflect changes in Applicable Laws, global best practices, expert guidance, or operational requirements. Highway delite may also revise the Policy based on evolving ethical standards, platform usage trends, or stakeholder feedback.
  2. Any material modifications to this Policy shall be published on the Platform and shall take effect from the date of such publication or as specified therein. Highway delite encourages all Merchants and Users to periodically review the Policy to remain informed of their responsibilities.
  3. This Policy forms an integral part of Highway delite’s terms of engagement with its Merchants and service providers. Continued listing or operation of any animal-related experience on the Platform after the effective date of any revision shall be deemed acceptance of the revised Policy.