A reader who has requested anonymity, has been sharing her thoughts with me on the subject of caring for street animals. The topic of returning neutered animals as “community animals” came up, which we say is our “next best option” should we be unable to find homes for our rescues, ie. we return them to the colony because we have no other way to help them when most of the no-kill sanctuaries are already full. From an ecological point of view, this measure is also supposed to help preserve the eco-system so that new un-neutered animals will not come in to colonize the area.
This reader says she does not quite agree because street animals are always subject to many dangers. That’s absolutely true, but most of us do not have the resources nor privilege to house so many animals so we are left with this one option.
But here’s the alternative that she practises. I have her permission to share this, and I hope it would inspire those of you who have the resources, to do it too.
She writes:
The core of its all is essentially whatever methods we do we all do it for the animals. What you do is your calling. I support your work 100%. I will help to spread your messages whichever way I can i.e. books and t-shirts and if can add cash to your funds.There is no right or wrong method as long as our hearts is in the right place.
My late Dad was a staunch muslim and was a teacher whom understands the true tenets of his faith and believe and live by them until his passing. Animals needs respect and protection; it is true measure of our religious faith. no matter what our faith is. Our childhood home is always filled with ‘strays’ be it humans or animals.
Dr. Chan lets people say what they want you know who and what you are. That’s enough.
Our method of trying to reduce strays and get a stray a home is using the method that works for us within our means. In our immediate neighborhood; we have a feeding-station for any cats or any creatures that come into our porch. If we see after a while the cat keeps on coming and is not neuter/spay; we catch and send it to a vet and get it fixed. Then, we release back to our porch. They can stay if they want. The ones that need to be nursed back to health we keep in our sick-bay room until it recovers. We always provide food and shelter for it in our home. We had gone through many cats. this way. Some came just to seek shelter until they passes on; we just provide them comfort and safe haven and proper send offs.
For dogs; we cannot do it since there is no space, we do not want to disturb our neighbors or had them complaint on us ; we donate cash to no-kill sanctuaries or help in any way we can like raising funds when it is needed. I am more confident in handling cats than dogs but ok if need to.
I had an arrangement with my vet; that I give her a ‘petty-cash’ say RM1,000. There are many students (UTAR) and people who are cash strapped in our area who helps strays. She uses her discretion who needs help to pay for medical costs and take out of the petty cash. When the petty cash is low I replenish it. But with one condition; it is only for people who take care of strays and give strays a home. When we are at the vet when we see people in need we just cover their bills or if they need carrier, vitamins, special diet or food, etc. It could be cats or dogs.. Hopefully when one do not have to worry about money they are more willing to help and take in strays or street animals. We need to not know their names and faces. Just feel blessed to be able to help.
We never ask for any discounts from our vet for the past 11 years. We paid in full as any walk-in customers. Our vet needs revenues to do what she do best. Good vet is hard to find; the ones that ‘treat the symptoms and treat the patient as well”. We do not impose on her but support her strengths and limitations. After all vets are only humans like us.
We are also putting aside funds (holidays or luxuries we forfeited) I had not had one vacation in 11 years. Weddings and birthdays we just passed on the ang pows. This special fund is for our future plans we when can no longer do this, to open up no-kill sanctuary ourselves. For now with the resources with have this is good enough.
Dr, Chan keep up the spirit. Like Charles Dickens says ” It is the worst of time, it is the best of times”.
Yes, it is. Dickens was referring to the French Revolution in A Tale of Two Ciites when he wrote that, but it rings true in every instance. Whatever we do, it can be seen in its best or its worst, and sometimes, in between. That is precisely why no one would ever be free from blame. What matters then would be that we do our best and be true to our conscience that it IS our best.
As the reader above says, “as long as our heart is in the right place”!
More Articles By AnimalCare
|
| 
Member Login
