I wish I did not have to write this posting, but I have to. So, here goes:
Our fund comes from the donations of well-wishers and supporters who place their complete trust in me and our small team of volunteers. The rescue rate that I get from our panel vets is also given out of trust that we only extend this rate to strays and newly-rescued animals.
I guess I need to define “newly-rescued”, so let me place that as 6 months from the time of rescue.
For those who wish to seek our financial assistance in helping your animal(s), please understand our constraints and I appeal to you to abide by our terms and conditions. I prefer to work with you on trust and understanding.
If you are really lacking in funds, and you feel special consideration ought to be made for your case, kindly explain your situation with honesty and I will consider it on a case-by-case basis. No promises, though.
When I first started AnimalCare, I sought advice from one of our Chief Monks who has done decades of charity work in Malaysia. Initially, I had no intention of starting any fund at all. I had merely wanted to provide the panel vets and do the education part for CNRM. But he told me that Malaysians, being what they are, will probably not be encouraged to do the work unless some financial assistance is provided for them. He told me to start a fund, and from a person who has never raised public funds all my life, I had to learn how to raise funds!
We were also worried that some quarters might abuse the funds, and this was discussed as well. To this, the Venerable said, “Be prepared that 20% of the people will abuse your goodwill, but that would be their karma, not yours. You are helping the animals, not the people. At the end of the day, the animals benefit.”
I guess that says it all. What goes around, comes around. I prefer to believe in the goodness of humans, and I believe everyone has a conscience.
I work very hard to raise funds, and I do this through my public talks, through this blog (by spending hours writing up reports of the work of our small team), through my free books, and by selling our tshirts (thank you to those who help us on this). So, please understand that the funds are not easy to come by, and it would be extremely sad if the funds are abused. Most importantly, the funds are given based on TRUST, and I would appreciate it very much if the funds are used based on trust as well.
My whole purpose of starting AnimalCare was just to have a small group of volunteers, doing what we can for the stray animals, and extend our help to small-time rescuers, if they need.
My hope is that other groups will do the same too, within their capacity. You’re most welcome to use our model and start your own group, if you like. Sell tshirts, write books about your work, keep a blog, give talks – education is the key to change.
We are small and can only do what we can. But I believe every little bit makes a difference.
So, here’s to sum up what we can provide for now:
1. Our financial assistance is provided for strays animals and newly-rescued animals (not exceeding 6 months from the time of rescue).
2. If your animal does not fall into (1), but you need assistance anyway. Please write to me in all honesty, explain your situation and I will consider it.
3. We strongly encourage CNRM-ers, and will support you as much as we can.
4. As long as we still have funds, we are committed to sponsoring 100% for spay-neuter of strays and newly-rescued strays. As for medicals, it is partial sponsorship now, depending on the amount and again, subject to consideration. It used to be 100% sponsorship, but with so many people asking for help, we cannot afford this anymore!
5. We are NOT rescuers per se and do not have any expertise in doing rescue work. For this purpose, kindly approach the pet rescuers and those who provide such services.
6. We are not a shelter and cannot take in your rescued animals. We do not even have fosterers, and we depend on the goodwill of others for this purpose.
7. Our only way of doing rehoming and adoptions is by publicising it on this blog. We strongly encourage you to use petfinder.my – it is far more efficient and has a much wider readership.
8. All said, if you need help desperately, please write to me and explain your situation. We will do our very best to help you, within our capacity.
We appeal for your understanding and cooperation on this matter.
Let’s work on trust, shall we? Thank you.
And once again, thank you very much to all supporters for your trust in our work.
Kind regards,
kahyein