QAWS Desperate Plea...
Qatar Animal Welfare Society
As much as we hate to beg, we've found ourselves in a situation we just can't manage anymore. In the 6 years that we have been taking in animals we have never had so many in at one time.
At a shelter that officially only has 14 kennels, we seem to have found the space to house 42 dogs and puppies! We also have 40 cats and kittens (2 of which are due to give birth any day now), a donkey, a mule, a bull and numerous ducks, geese, chickens and guinea fowl. Not to mention all the farm cats that come every day for their dinner!
As we are still not a registered charity, we rely soley on private donations from fellow animal lovers although at the moment it doesn't seem to be enough. The rent on our piece of land has quadrupled in the last 5 years and we now have 4 full time workers to look after all the animals. On average we are currently spending approximately QR25,000 EACH MONTH on the basics and this does not include emergency vet bills, maintenance of the shelter or publicity/advertising. We desperately need to become a charity so that we can accept donations from organisations and companies who are willing to help us expand.
If anyone is interested in helping us at all there are several ways in which you can:
1. Donations. We always need dry dog biscuit (Pedigree or Purina), Pedigree Puppy tins, all brands of cat biscuit and meat, litter, blankets, towels, collars, cleaning products, mops/brooms/buckets, toys, treats, beds, travel crates and baskets.
2. Volunteers. With so many dogs and cats at the shelter it is difficult to give them all the time and attention they need. Every dog is walked twice a day (whatever the weather) and the more volunteers we have the longer walk they get. All our cats need cuddling and the kittens need socialising. Bathing dogs and brushing cats is so low on our priority list that we rely on our fantastic volunteers to make sure these are carried out.
3. Support. Your support is needed just as much as physical donations. Sending an email to [email protected] stating your support and asking Qatar to recognise us as a charity will help greatly. Posting this note on your profile to raise awareness of us and spread the word will help more animals get rehomed. Buying one of our calenders that features rescued animals is another way of donating.
4. Adopting. Every animal at the shelter deserves a home where they can grow old and be loved. If you think you are in a position to have a pet (or 5!!) please visit the shelter. We aim to match you to a pet that you will bond with and will suit your lifestyle. We insist on neutering as this reduces the number of puppies and kittens left in boxes outside our gate.
5. Money. Our vets bill is huge! If anyone has a pet that goes to Qatar Veterinary Centre, next time you are there and have a spare QR10 - ask for it to be taken off our bill. Every single riyal helps! To fully vaccinate every animal at the shelter will cost us QR12,300 which is something we can't even consider at the moment. Frontline and deworming tablets take the cost to almost QR20,000 just for the animals we have right now. Every new animal that comes in will cost us a minimum of QR200 for basic disease prevention and will costs around QR100 a week to maintain. We;ve had some be with us for 2 years before finding a home.
We turn away anything up to 10 animals a day. It hurts us to do so and the feeling of incredible guilt that we can't do more to help is constant. Who knows what happens to the animals we can't physically take into the shelter - it's something we try not to think about. Every single person who has worked at a shelter will be able to tell you exactly how many sleepless nights they have had worrying about money, space and what to do with un-rehomable animals.
From the bottom of our hearts we thank every single person who has visited the shelter, made a donation, adopted an animal, visited our website or simply taken the time to read this plea.
Anyone interested in finding out more about what we do, how you can help or adopting an animal, please visit the shelter, our website www.qaws.org or call 539-6074.
With your help we can continue to help those with no voices.
Lots of Love and Licks to all our supporters
* the dogs * - Herbert, Rupert, Lucky, Honey, Bruce, Lulu, Thor, Zoe, Frankie, Bamboo, Royce, Mary, Mungo, Midge, Kimber, Kisses, Sarah, Twiglet, Saffron, Junior, Duke, Timber, Rumble, Boy, Bonnie, Holly, Zack, Bullet, Bella, Hamish, Alfie, Athena, Zikko, Alina, Monsieur, Shaun, Jacko, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Pip and Linus
* the cats * - Jemmy, Cally, Spotty, Nill, Lulu, Captain, Dibble, Muffy, Tilly, Milly, Dilly, Philly, Billy, Dave, Lucifer, Jezebel, Santana, Mikki, Toto, Hissy Missy, Smartie, Bassey, Timmy, Venice, Mama, Sneezy, Grumpy, Dopey, Bashful, Sleepy, Happy, Doc, Marriott, Beverly, Sweety, Beemer, Mrs Beemer, Ninio, Carlos and Scooby
