My Nonprofit Reviews

Our NGO would not be here doing what we do without the support of the SQ Foundation. It's as simple as that. So to talk about the impact of "SQ" support,is the same as talking about what we've been able to build and accomplish. We are a "Rescue and Healing Sanctuary for Animals" in Tiruvannamalai(southern India)-a municipality of over 200,000. There are between 3000 and 3500 homeless dogs here. In 2006, we were able to stop the killing of dogs to control population, with the caveat that we had to put a population control program in place. We opened in January, 2007. A comment from the founder gives a sense of what has unfolded:::: "So it's going...And it's going beautifully... One can experience spaciousness and love when entering the Shelter...At night, after the day is over...One of my favorite things is to sit and watch the dogs---puppies, big and small, healthy and disabled...adult dogs, several old, several lame, several physically in tact...It's just so heartwarming to watch the joy flowing thru them as they chase, wrestle, snuggle, and romp....The vibration gets very sattvic...With chants playing in the background, it feels like a really wonderful ashram....The staff are loving and work hard...They work beautifully and closely, together… They are devoted to me...And I am devoted to them.....Our senior vet, and our general manager---by name, Dr.Raja, and Vishwa---hold nothing back in their beautiful, quiet, loving efforts to lift suffering from the "Animal Kingdom"....We have all truly been brought together by God...And we are deeply blessed to be able to do this work which so directly lifts vast amounts of suffering....” The Founder Before we opened there was no small animal vet within 75 km...There was no facility which gave "in-house" care...There were literally hundreds of suffering and dying dogs and puppies on the streets...It was too difficult to see. So I think what people did to cope was to walk around without looking at them--to cut them out of their awareness. Now there are no more suffering creatures on the streets. So slowly people have started looking…….. Also if they do see one that is in trouble. Most know they can call us or bring them to the Shelter and they will be completely taken care of free of charge. Our vets are on call and we respond to emergencies 24 hours a day. We have seven core programs...(1)Sterilization and anti-rabies program: It’s objectives are to reduce population and eliminate rabies in the dog population thereby eliminating almost all rabies deaths in the human population.We currently do between 80 and 140 sterilizations each month.The total number at the end of Sept.2009 was 2631(about 2300 were homeless dogs).This should result in a decrease of 5000 puppies born each year, most of whom would have suffered and died...(and we have administered over 3900 anti-rabies injections...(2)Clinic: Our clinic was originally intended to treat homeless dogs only. Many are brought in having been hit by vehicles, beaten, and/or with a variety of serious illnesses. Surprisingly, though, there has been an unanticipated high number of “owner dogs” brought in for treatment. More than any other shelter we know............As the reputation of the Shelter grows, more and more “owner dogs” are being brought in for treatment. Regularly we get people from as far away as 100 kilometers. This is in addition to the ABC Sterilization activity. We usually have between 125 and 200 puppies and adult dogs brought to the clinic each month. A number are brought in for treatment more than once. The number of so-called “visits” (If one dog were brought in three times, it would be counted as three “visits”) vary between 175 and 350 each month. At the end of September, 2009 we had treated over 1600 “owner dogs”...................We will treat any small animal in need. There is a government veterinary hospital that treats larger animals but when a situation arises where a large animal needs care and we are the only ones temporarily available we will, of course, treat the suffering animal. Through August 2009 we have treated 124 cats, 72 cows, 24 calves, 97 goats & sheep, 2 horses, 2 bullocks, 7 donkeys, 1 pig, 27 monkeys, 11 squirrels, 22 rabbits, 2 eagles, 5 parrots, 5 peacocks, 10 doves, 21 pigeons, and 65 other avians. Our clinic is open seven days a week. And we provide emergency services 24 hours a day. Almost all services are provided free of cost..............We use ayurvedic, homeopathic and other alternative treatment modes…as well as classic allopathic approaches. (3) Hospital: If required, we provide hospital facilities.(4)Sanctuary: For animals that cannot survive on their own, we offer sanctuary for the rest of their natural lives. They are not kept in cages but may freely live out their lives in the compound. It's a very good life. And they are very happy.(5)Hospice: If an animal is dying, we take it in and give it intensive, loving care which includes I.V.’s, pain killers, antibiotics, and of course, good food. We do not euthanize...(6) Adoption Service: Through August 2009, we have placed 251 puppies, 9 adult dogs, and 7 cats in good homes...(7) Emergency Services: We provide emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If an animal is injured in the middle of the night, we will pick him up and bring him to the clinic. Our doctors are on call 24 hours a day. The Secretary of the Animal Welfare Board of India considers us one of the best in the country..."In the short span of time that they have been in existence, they have established themselves as one of the very best animal sanctuaries, veterinary clinics, rescue shelters and hospices in the Nation." Now back to our dear SQ Foundation...They have also supported us strongly in many ways other than financially--without any "bureaucrateeze" ...It is not easy to run an NGO like this in India...The path is frought with obstacles... Their faith and encouragement in our work,even before we were firmly established, helped us across many difficult crossings...They have literally strengthed the resolve that we need to go on...

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