It IS still a wonderful world

Hi everyone. Before I sign off today, I’d like to share with everyone a very encouraging email I received this morning, from (I presume) a young person:

I came across your website today and was so impressed by all the work that you are doing. THANK YOU for doing this incredible work to help the animals – there should be many more people like you in the world!
I had a look at how outsiders can help. I noticed that most of the ways of volunteering is via physical aspects such as fostering or adoption which may not be possible at this time as my friends, housemates, colleagues and I are the kind of people that are hardly ever home and will not be able to give the time needed for the animals. How else would we be able to help our your organisation? For example, sponsorship? Arranging supplies or materials for your fosterers? Helping to spread the word via marketing initiatives? Or what else does your group need help with?
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, your work seems very similar to that of the independent pet rescue team – are you connected in some way or work together? I think it is great that there are many groups committing to doing this much-needed work!
Thanks Dr Chan.

Well, thank you, dear friend, for writing and offering support.

I have replied this nice lady’s email, but for the benefit of all readers, I would like to highlight certain points here:

1. The biggest voluntary help we need IS in the area of fostering and adopting.

2. We also welcome transport help, especially in ferrying animals to the vets for spaying and neutering. Right now, we have vets in five locations in the Klang Valley – Subang Jaya, Kota Kemuning, Section 17 PJ, Sri Petaling and Puchong. All of us are working people, and there are times we need help (especially during working hours when none of us are available to ferry the animals around).

3. We have been asked to help feeders catch/trap the animals, and this is one area where we have no expertise in. We prefer to make friends with the animals, and bring them in for spaying/neutering. Trapping is very traumatic and stressful for the animal. In places that practise trapping, the animals sometimes put up a fight and bang its head on the cage, causing itself injury and harm. This also increases its stres level, and the risks involved in the surgery. But we understand trapping achieves much faster results. If anyone has the expertise to do this, please do share your experience…and teach us.

4. We would certainly welcome spreading the message of CNRM through “marketing initiatives”. AnimalCare is just a small group. We hope other interested parties will form their own groups and do what we do. Better still, improve on what we do, and share the experience with us.

5. Yes, we are doing what many other groups are also doing and have been doing. When we form small groups, it is more effective because the focus is concentrated. It is also easier to manage the humans in a small group! We would love to work together on the same cause, but I still think small groups are more effective. We can always share ideas and support each other.

Small is beautiful.

And I think to myself…
What a wonderful world…

Goodnight, and thank you.