Of Honouring One�s Word (again?)

Yes, again.

We just posted this not too long ago:�http://myanimalcare.org/2012/11/21/no-more-publicising-for-fosterers-only-for-adoptions/

And it looks like we have to say it again.

It’s very hard being the “middle-person”, (previously) sourcing for fosterers, now adopters and once in a while, rescuers.

Many of those who respond are our friends and they respond because they trust me. Unfortunately, many of those who ask for help are not our acquaintances and while most of them are genuine people who truly care for animals and really need the help, there will always be the few “bad apples” who really mess things up and give us a very hard time when we have to pick up the pieces from the mess they have created and make all the apologies to our friends who responded to our appeals.

And why?

Because some who ask for help do not honour their word.

Fosterers only agree to foster for a certain period of time. Rescuers dump the animals on them and refuse to take back, citing all kinds of reasons. (This is the old story, and I shall say no more since we have ceased publicising for fosterers now.)

Rescuers only agree to rescue, not to send to the vet or bear the bill, or to rehome or adopt. But people who ask for help expect them to do so, despite the rescuer having made it VERY CLEAR that his or her role is only to rescue and nothing else.

It’s very easy to pull the “should” line on everyone.

“You SHOULD help me rescue this animal if you claim to be an animal-lover.”

“You SHOULD help me send the animal to the vet because you are a rescuer.”

“You SHOULD take over this animal, because I cannot keep it, I have no space.”

SHOULD?

Do we have any right to “should” anyone?

I have also had people saying that AnimalCare SHOULD help humans with their medical bills because this person said his Science lessons taught him that humans are animals too. So why can’t I channel some of AnimalCare’s money to help humans in their medical needs? �I SHOULD, he said.

This is what happens when we use the “should” line based on what we think is right.

How about this: “You SHOULD also help orphans and delinquents, why are you only helping animals?”

You see where this is going?

So no please, when it comes to volunteer work, there is no “should”.

Volunteers can only offer so much and that is already a bonus.

Let’s just be thankful that there are volunteers out there who are even willing to help. And let’s please honour our word and work together with them. No one can do everything. If a volunteer says he or she can only do so much, I would be grateful for that help and find someone else to do the rest. Or better still, do it ourselves since we have our own expectations of how things should be done.

I’ve been communicating with someone who just rescued a dog off the streets. He cannot adopt the dog so he is going to get the dog neutered and surrender it to a shelter. A friend is scolding him for surrendering the dog to the shelter. “You SHOULD adopt the dog yourself, you SHOULD not surrender it to the shelter”, said the friend.

Here we go…the SHOULD line again.

I think if we don’t like the way someone is doing things, just take over and do it ourselves, right?

If we think there is only ONE way of doing things and only that ONE way is the right way, then take over, and do it ourselves. That would solve the problem and dissatisfaction instantly, wouldn’t it?

Shouldn’t it?

So coming back to the subject of this post, Of honouring one’s word,�allow me to reiterate that we are only a charity fund. Hence, our mission is to provide medical subsides to street animals (as per our policies), food subsidies to a few selected caregivers and provide free books to the public. That’s all we can do. The rest are extra services – sourcing for rescuers, sourcing for adopters, etc. We can help in these extra services, but we cannot promise we will be able to find the help that can meet the expectations of the requester.

However, once we promise to give a subsidy from our Medical or Food Fund, we will give, provided all the required documentations come in on time.

We always honour our word. We hope our applicants will too.

We have a two-week deadline for all subsidy applications (stated clearly in our policies). And if applicants do not meet the deadline, kindly do not use the “You SHOULD extend the deadline for me because I am a rescuer and I am very busy.”

We know you are very busy.

So are we.

Last but certainly not least, we wish to express our deepest appreciation to volunteers who have responded to our appeals for help. We thank you for your patience, effort and your willingness to help. We apologise if some requesters have given you a hard time and hope you understand that that is something beyond our control.

We also thank all applicants and requesters who do honour their word, respect our policies, do not make unfair demands and have worked responsibly together with all volunteers.

Thank you.

Source: http://myanimalcare.org/2012/11/28/of-honouring-ones-word-again/

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AnimalCare is a registered society that promotes caregiving to street animals and helps in their neutering and medical needs. AnimalCare has a Medical Fund, Food Fund and Education Fund.

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