In Cantonese it’s called the “ying-koi” mentality.
The “entitlement mentality” – the backlash that we have to endure when we are no longer able to help someone whom we have been helping before due to (1) lack of funds, (2) changes in policies or (3) violation of policies on the part of the recipient (especially this!).
EntitileMEnt – Me, Me, Me.
It’s a sad phenomenon of the human psyche.
At AnimalCare, this usually happens when we come across dishonest applicants. It takes a lot of work – from cross-checking with the vet, checking details on receipts, etc. to ensure that each claim is genuine. And when dishonesty is discovered and uncovered, we inform the applicant we can no longer help him/her anymore.
Then comes the bombardment!
“You are not a true animal lover!”
“You don’t really care about animals!”
“If you really cared about the animals, why does it matter if I had cheated?”
“I’m doing something noble, I’m helping animals, you SHOULD help me!!”
Really?
It’s the sad, sad “entitlement mentality” of the human species.
This is why our advisers have long strongly advised us to cap the maximum cases we help from each applicant. Yes, we do have a cap and that prerogative is ours. It actually also serves to reduce the chances of applicants developing the “entitlement mentality” and also not to encourage dependency on our funds, which is not healthy at all.
And the bottom line is, we owe it to our donors to ensure that their hard-earned donations, given to us in trust, is used properly and correctly, as per our policies.
We have always had a very hard stance on dishonesty and this continues to this day.
“When a person lies, there is no evil he will not do.”
Lying is never accidental. It is intentional. That is why lying and cheating cannot be tolerated.
Also, AnimalCare isn’t going to be here forever. And more importantly, no one should rely on charity all his/her life. Yes, you have the good intention of wanting to help animals and that is admirable and noble. But please remember that the decision to help animals is yours, no one forced you to do it. As such, shouldn’t you take responsibility for your own decisions? We can help you get started and after that, do please consider becoming more independent and self-sufficient. It may not be wise to do too much and end up with frustration and worse, compassion fatigue. And who suffers? The animals under your care.
Keep it small and manageable, that’s what we always say. That is why we promote “One-Street CNRM”. Not two streets, not three. Just one, unless you have the means to extend it to two, three with your own efforts and finances, and continue caring for the animals to the best of your ability. 