While we have a good base of supporters,
there are still many out there who are learning to build their trust in us.
Some people are uncomfortable with us asking for help with vet bills; some are
scornful of our policies for collecting adoption fees.
However, what they fail to realize is that
rescue work is extremely exhaustive – physically, mentally, and monetarily. So
what keeps us motivated, you may ask? It’s the roller-coaster ride you embark
on with each rescue dog, from the moment you rescue them, to rehabilitating and
supporting them, to finding loving homes for them, and to witnessing them grow
into confident pet dogs surrounded by love and care from the families who have
adopted them.
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| Lisa with Cooper (Cooper is available for adoption) |
The happiest moments of rescue work is also
one of the hardest parts of this process. Because this is when we have to say our
goodbyes and goodbyes aren’t easy to bid. Although we are overjoyed that our
dogs are in safe hands and are finally able to lead a normal, healthy life,
saying goodbye is still a painful process our volunteers have to learn to cope
with and to overcome.
Street dogs, on the other hand, are a lot
harder to rehome. For one, they are not exquisite enough for dwellers of this
material world; secondly, they need time and rehabilitating to adapt to a home environment.
For these dogs, we often have to release them back to the streets after they have
regained their health – see Fudge’s
story.
Could we have done more for the dog? Definitely,
provided we have all the funds in the world, or if we have a good piece of
land like other rescue organizations, then why not? The truth is that we don’t.
We have to rely on our partners / fosters, volunteers and supporters to help accommodate
our rescue dogs at shelters, pet shops and homes. Even as we put our best
efforts in every dog we rescue – regardless if we saved them ourselves or if
they are given to us because they’ve been rejected by other rescue
organizations – and emptying our pockets in the process, there comes a time for
us to decide when to set them free, to make room for other needy dogs.
Talia
is an example of a dog deemed unadoptable by our country’s biggest rescue
organization, but have found a loving home through us.
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| Sherry with Emma the Schnauzer and Talia the Cocker Spaniel |
These unique skill-sets have come in handy when we are out in the field on rescue missions, or to locate missing dogs. I know it may sound gimmicky to some of you, but if it has proven successes with people who practice them, there is no reason not to try it.
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| Need Animal Communication or Reiki for your pets? Sherry and Lisa can help! |
The irony is that large animal welfare organizations that we used to look up to as a child are the ones guilty of this. They’ve possibly passed the most number of death penalties not because they house the most number of animals, but because they run their association like a business.
Dogs that have little value to them are euthanized. Dogs that require more effort to rehabilitate are euthanized. Dogs with minor health issues that are treatable such as scabies are euthanized. Dogs that are senior to them are euthanized.
Why? Because to them euthanizing animals is the simplest, quickest and most cost-effective solution. And as a cover up, they use the same, old, overused excuse that these animals have been assessed by their medical team and are deemed unfit to live. Death is the solution to them.
People turn to us to extend help to these animals, not to euthanize them mindlessly over minor reasons. Supporters help us with vet bills because they believe their funds would go into saving these unfortunate dogs, so they get the chance to live healthily and happily again.
Rescue organizations are here to rescue, to provide aid, and not to issue death penalties. Rescue work isn’t just about doing the basics and raising funds publicly. Although funds (or rather affordability) do play a significant role in determining what we can or cannot do (there is no free meal in this world), it is only sustainable if it is driven by a team of passionate, committed and dedicated volunteers who believe in overcoming austerities to make the impossible possible.
People turn to us to extend help to these animals, not to euthanize them mindlessly over minor reasons. Supporters help us with vet bills because they believe their funds would go into saving these unfortunate dogs, so they get the chance to live healthily and happily again.
Rescue organizations are here to rescue, to provide aid, and not to issue death penalties. Rescue work isn’t just about doing the basics and raising funds publicly. Although funds (or rather affordability) do play a significant role in determining what we can or cannot do (there is no free meal in this world), it is only sustainable if it is driven by a team of passionate, committed and dedicated volunteers who believe in overcoming austerities to make the impossible possible.
To learn more about the work we do, refer
to our interview with Pets Magazine clipped below. Lisa, Sherry, with our
beloved rescue dogs, Cooper,
Emma and Talia
are featured in the interview.
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| Pets Magazine February and March 2013 issue |
As I write this, Cooper
is still waiting for a permanent home. Cooper is barely
one-year old but has already undergone three hit-and-run accidents. The last
accident crushed his hip bones, rendering his hind legs immobile. Today, thanks
to the support from our volunteers and supporters, Cooper is able to walk
normal after months of rehabilitation. Although Cooper can’t go jogging just
yet, he is fit to go on long strolls. Activities such as swimming would
definitely help with his full recovery.
If you would like to adopt Cooper, please email
fiona@hopedogrescue.org
Should you wish to engage the services of Sherry and Lisa, please feel free to contact us.
Should you wish to engage the services of Sherry and Lisa, please feel free to contact us.
Written by Claire Chai
Thank you Pets Magazine for the feature.
