(CN) Urgent appeal from AAF

[Guest guest]

It's now almost three weeks since the devastating earthquake hit Sichuan in

China and the full horror of the tragedy is really hitting home. As many as

90,000 people could have died in the quake and its aftershocks, which are

still causing panic throughout the province. More than 365,000 people are

injured, many of them also losing their homes and livelihoods.

 

Animals Asia is extremely fortunate and grateful that no staff or animals at

our Moon Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu were hurt, but we too are facing a

difficult time. We are in urgent need of donations to deal with two

emergencies arising from the earthquake. First we are racing against time to

rescue dogs and cats from a town in northern Sichuan, where the authorities

have ordered a cull of all companion animals; and second, we need to rebuild

four of the buildings at our sanctuary.

 

Four of our main buildings, including the big office and accommodation

blocks have been so badly damaged that they will need to be completely

rebuilt at a cost of hundreds of thousands of US dollars. A fifth building

needs repairs. Initially, onsite staff (who launched an immediate donations

drive among themselves for earthquake victims) were sleeping on the floors

of the quarantine area for new bear arrivals, but are now crammed into the

remaining buildings that have been deemed safe.

 

But rebuilding will come later. Right now, there are more urgent needs.

Rescuing already traumatised family dogs and cats from being shot or beaten

to death in the city of Dujiangyiang - one of the worst-hit areas is our

highest priority. The authorities there have ordered a cull of all dogs and

cats, even if they have owners, adding to the misery of survivors who are

clinging to their pets for comfort.

 

We have set up a hotline and a receiving station at a local vet clinic for

earthquake victims to surrender their dogs to us for safe-keeping until they

are back on their feet and can take them back. Many people, terrified that

their much-loved dogs would be killed in front of them have been hiding them

in the ruins of their homes and risking their lives to go and feed them.

 

We have promised those who have handed us their pets that we will make sure

they are well cared for. If, after six months, they are still unable to take

their pets back, we will continue to look after them until they can be

reunited. If they decide they can't take their pets back, we will try to

rehome the animals.

 

So far, we have rescued around 100 dogs and brought them to Chengdu's Qi

Ming Pet Rescue Centre, which can take about 100 more. We have also rescued

some cats and a few starving dogs that have been found wandering around

looking for food. We are giving each a health check and vaccination and will

build a quarantine facility for the dogs at the shelter and provide them

with food. All this too, of course, will cost money - and we're not sure how

long we'll have to provide for these dogs.

 

I am the first person to question where donations are going in a crisis

situation and I can assure you that any donation you make to our earthquake

appeal will go directly to our work rescuing dogs and cats from the

earthquake zone, vaccinating against rabies, building quarantine kennels at

the Qi Ming shelter and supplying other local shelters with food and medical

help. Being here on the ground, I will ensure your donation goes first to

distraught dogs and cats. Any funds left over will go to rebuilding our bear

sanctuary.

 

Given the enormity of the Sichuan tragedy, this is a difficult time for us

to raise funds, as donors are understandably channelling their donations to

the human victims of the earthquake. So please, if you are considering

donating to the earthquake relief effort, remember that animals are victims

too - and by giving to us, you may be helping to save the only family member

a survivor has left.

 

Warm wishes,

 

 

Jill

 

Jill Robinson MBE

Founder and CEO

Animals Asia Foundation

 

PS: Don't forget to check my blog for regular updates on how we're helping

earthquake survivors - both animals and people.

For more information visit Jill blog - www.animalsasia.org/blog

 

To donate now please go to our website www.animalsasia.org.

 

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