It may not be best, but Friendicoes is all Delhi has. It needs to survive

Bemoan it, or hate it, but animal welfare NGO Friendicoes is important for animals, especially in a city like Delhi. Some may argue that Friendicoes has been doing a poor job in the recent times, and its claim of never turning away an animal is untrue. Well, you know what, I totally agree with this. I've had a dog that the NGO saved, and I've also had an animal my mother rescued that they refused to admit. I have friends who had faced similar experiences, where Friendicoes had flatly said "no".

This is one NGO which has been, for many, a leader among animal welfare NGOs and shelters. It is one entity that has been taking the burden on itself for the last 35 years. It is important, even if it has not been providing the best care for animals, because it has been, at least, providing some care.

1. Friendicoes needs to survive because it gives hope to other organisations. If the oldest one, which is also the most well-known, can't survive, then what hope do the new ones have? But when it comes to donating money, people are a reluctant bunch. However, the only way Friendicoes will be self-sufficient is if we take our pets there, we pay, and donate. This is not the first time it has come near insolvency, but this may very well be the final time before it shuts shop for good.

2. The most important service, in my opinion, that Friendicoes provides is the night-time ambulance. I had a conversation with Geeta Seshamani, the co-founder of Friendicoes, and she told me that the service has been shut in an attempt to prepare the public for life after Friendicoes. It is arguably the most important and unique thing it had been doing. Imagine seeing an injured stray animal in the middle of the night. Chances are that the Friendicoes ambulance will respond. But now, the night-time ambulance service has been stopped as the NGO can't afford to run it. Donations are needed to reactivate this service. Animal healthcare in India is abysmal and for the sake of that this service needs to survive.

3. Along with the MCD and FSECA, Friendicoes runs an animal sterilisation and vaccination programme. It is for this service that the MCD, according to Friendicoes, owes it Rs 38 lakh. This is a programme that is very important for both the safety of the animals, and the people of the city. It is also important to contain the population of stray animals. Considering there are only a handful of organisations doing this, the survival of Friendicoes is very important.

4. One of the problems that Friendicoes faces is that it doesn't get enough in the form of payments when it conducts walk-ins for owners who have the means to pay. The survival of Friendicoes is imperative and if it does, it will help eradicate this free culture that we Delhiites indulge in. If there is a gig, everyone wants free entry, if there's a match, everyone wants the free corporate box seat and if your pet, that you love is ill, many will go to Friendicoes, not because they believe it will do a good job, but because it can't demand money. This attitude is a malaise and has to stop. If Friendicoes survives, then it will almost certainly come out stronger because of a community spirit. Now, that same community spirit will help in ensuring long-term generosity. I believe to see the best in human beings. That's why I believe it will happen; but who knows, I may be naive.

5. This is about animals, not just dogs. Remember that. There are many NGOs that cater to just dogs, our lovely canine friends. But there are not many that cater to a wide array of animals. Hence, Friendicoes need to be there.

Here's how you can contribute: http://www.bitgiving.com/Friendicoes