Reverting to the no-succession plan

You might remember that ever since AnimalCare started on 31st May 2009, I have been running all the day-to-day operations. As a registered society, we also have an Executive Committee and we vote on important decisions pertaining to AnimalCare as a registered society.

For years, I had been looking for a successor to take over AnimalCare when I can no longer run it but have been unsuccessful.

Last year, in October 2023, I asked a few younger friends to ponder over the possibility that instead of one person bearing the sole responsibility of taking over, would a TagTeam be doable, ie. a team takes over so that the work can be divided and shared out. The idea seemed very doable at that time, hence we announced in October last year that AnimalCare finally has a succession plan – the AnimalCare TagTeam!

However, the TagTeam members now agree that it is still too much of a responsibility for the team to take over the running of AnimalCare should I be unable to run it one day. I totally understand that everyone is busy with career, family and life, and it would be unfair to put this responsibility onto them. AnimalCare work is not just limited to giving out aids, it also involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work of responding promptly to calls for help, replying promptly to emails from people asking for guidance, assisting new rescuers in their CNRM-work, dealing with challenging applicants (this is the biggest headache), promptly banking-in aid (never later than 24 hours), evaluating cases, doing the administrative work required of the society, and the educational component of sharing our own real-life caregiving and rescue stories (we won’t advocate something that we ourselves cannot do, hence we have to tell our stories). Ever since we started, we have always practised transparency and accountability, and to maintain this requires speedy and accurate reporting of how funds are used.

So, our TagTeam and Exco has now unanimously agreed that we are putting back the no-succession plan in place with immediate effect. This means that when I can no longer run AnimalCare, it will be closed and deregistered and its remaining funds (if any) will be distributed to animal charities at the discretion of the Exco.

But as long as I can still run it, AnimalCare will remain. As humans, our mortality is an undeniable fact of life, so we have to make preparations for any eventuality. That would be the responsible thing to do.

We still have two members in the TagTeam at this moment and together with me, the three of us will evaluate cases that require aid. Three is a nice number in case of the need for a tie-breaker.

We thank all our dear friends and followers for their trust, donations, moral support and continued support. Without all of you, there would have been no AnimalCare all these years. We hope your support will continue as long as we still exist!

On a more serious note, street animals will always need help. There are no signs at all that the government of the day is interested in helping street animals or relooking at the council by-laws that make life difficult for street animals and their caregivers. I hope more caregivers will take up the challenge of setting up organisations to help street animals. When you start it up yourself, that sense of ownership is what drives you to make it a success. It is yours. I realised that this sense of ownership is what makes any endeavour a success, along with a deep passion, lots of hard work, perseverance and also, some luck.

So, if you share our view of street animals will always need help, start something to help them.

Street animals: Where they are born is where they belong. This earth belongs to them too. 

And let’s hope AnimalCare can see many, many more years to come and continue helping street animals for as long as we can.

P.S. As long as you still hear my stories, you will know I’m still around!