In Search Of Stray Cases

A professed animal-lover with little time but some money to spare? Well, why not put some money where the heart is?

Of course, you fear cheats. Rashmi from Jeevashram feels, "People are disppointed with the output of the organisations. They need to see results to be sure that their charity is meeting its aim."

Most of the charities get some aid from the Animal Welfare Board but that is not sufficient. Dr S Shastri of the Sanjay Gandhi Centre explains, "In a day we conduct six sterilisations absolutely free. Each costs Rs 300-350, apart from the anti-Rabies vaccination that can cost the same. The AWB gives us a quota of 200-300 doses which is not even 20 per cent of our annual tally." No wonder, patrons are so crucial to these bodies. A donation of Rs 10,000 can immunise around 16 dogs !

 

Associations started by animal lovers usually lack the infrastructure for a shelter. Kare, which was started in 1992 by four trustees, still lacks a proper office so they used their savings to run a three-wheeler ambulance which collects small animals injured in hit-and-run cases and takes them to places like the SGC.

Says A Modi, a trustee, "All outfits are overworked and there are not many pick-up vehicles. The SGC has two big vans but they cannot be everywhere. Moreover, costs jump when such a big van is sent for one small dog. So we are networking with the other shelters."

Donations in both cash and kind are welcomed by all. Modi suggests, "One should visit a centre before handing over cash. But it would be more meaningful if help was given in kind. Like leasing out offices at lower rents and raising funds for a decent shelter or a proper hospital."

Irani Mukherjee, a teacher running the Circle of Animal Lovers, says, "Our earnings are mainly contributions by patrons or owners getting their pets treated here. Our staff includes three doctors and a small set-up like ours that houses 100 animals costs almost Rs 40,000 a month".

Even Brook Hospital that is funded by its headquarters in Britain finds the going tough. Col (Dr) Prasad says, "Despite our foreign patrons we are still a mobile team who go to the workplaces of the horses and donkeys to treat them. We still have not been able to set up a hospital where post-operative care can be taken. And local donations are hard to come by." Especially so, as this organisation treats only equines owned by the poor whose livelihood depends on them and that too free of cost.

The need as they all put it is not short-term interest. And Shastri reassures, "We give a receipt for all contributions and patrons can check the progress."

While some over the years have advertised the concept of availing of a 50 per cent tax exemption under section 80 G, others seek dedicated volunteers who would devote time to the animals, take them for a walk, forgo money from the sale of old newspapers... the list is endless.