Advice needed on how to seek Intl. support for animal org in Okinawa...

[Guest guest]

Can anyone advise me on what international animal welfare

organizations might be interested in supporting my efforts to

establish a branch of " their " organization in Okinawa?

 

I'm getting very frustrated and feeling overwhelmed. Recently, I

discovered that the horses I drive by everyday on my way to get my

mail, are there for the sole purpose of being selected by local

restaurants for butchering.

 

Someone I know offered $3,000 for each of the horses, in a last

ditch effort to spare them from being slaughtered, but her offer was

rejected. Finally, she knew she had to give up. Now she is working

to prevent the slaughter of other horses by attempting to keep them

healthy so that the elderly owner won't concede to horsemeat

offers... at the tune of over $800 a month out of her own pocket.

She helps him maintain his " kiddie ride " business to save the

horses' lives.

 

Spaying/Neutering continues to be extremely expensive for the

ordinary Okinawa citizen (so are meds and veterinary treatment), yet

ownership of pets is becoming hugely popular regardless. Strays and

feral cats continue to roam the streets, and pet owners continue to

tie up their dogs on 2 ft ropes/chains attached to concrete bricks,

or tires to ultimately die from heartworms (or worse).

 

Then, of course, there's the Okinawa Zoo - things have not changed

much for Kei (the wolf) although they have moved her to a slightly

larger enclosure. We continue to work for her release to a

sanctuary where she can retire in peace.

http://www.keithewolf.com And we continue to work for the humane

treatment/conditions for all animals housed at this facility.

 

There is a small organization here that I had once belonged to,

however, their goal is to rescue/foster dogs and cats, and to help

support small " mom and pop " shelters, but not to focus on education

or lobbying the government for changes.. so I left that group to

start my own.

 

What I feel Okinawa needs is the push of an international group or

organization that can establish a branch here, so that Okinawans who

are concerned about animal issues here on the island can take

action. They have no group or organization to turn to! But I know

there would be a lot of interest by ordinary citizens for just such

a group!

 

I'm more than willing to do the work it will take to establish a

branch of SOME organization here, but I need some advice on how to

go about soliciting for this kind of support.

 

Thousands of dogs and cats are gassed each month by the animal

control shelter here... most of these dogs/cats are people's pets.

But with only 3 days to claim them, and NO ADOPTION OF ADULT ANIMALS

ALLOWED (only dogs under 3 months of age can be adopted - the rest

are gassed if they are not claimed), there is simply not enough time

for owners to realize they are there, etc.

 

To top it off - we (my friends and I) are now wondering WHAT HAPPENS

TO THESE ANIMALS once they are destroyed??? I've become very

suspicious that their fur could be getting sold to the fur trade

(the domesticated animal fur that is showing up on clothing, on

toys, etc).

 

Can anyone suggest an organization that might be open to the idea of

having a branch of their organization here in Okinawa?

 

There is still time for Okinawa to turn things around --- I just

need some muscle behind me.

 

Thank You For Your Assistance,

~Kim in Okinawa

http://www.freewebs.com/voices4animals