I received this comment on by blog from IAR relating to this particular post.
My response is that this is not a lie. If the people at IAR are unhappy with what I've said then the problem does not lie wholly with me, as I will discuss below. I know that 90% of the young animals who come into the centre don't make it out alive. I would also like to point out that I never made any insinuation that the animals would be better off if the centre was closed, I just believe that there are ways to improve things and was proactive in showing you the options. I know from speaking to many people that IAR has greatly improved the stray dog and cat population in Goa, however realising that this is largely due to euthanising animals due to lack of space and homes makes me question if this is really a victory for all.
It clearly states at the rescue centre to NEVER ACCEPT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS RIGHT and that suggestions on how to improve the care given to animals are always welcome. None of my comments or suggestions were welcome, even changing the 90% kill rate to 89% was of no interest. Every time I tried to help in the efforts of IAR Goa, fundraising and otherwise, I was shot down and made to feel worthless. I don't doubt that the team are dedicated however as no interest was shown in saving more lives of the young who come into the shelter I feel that groupthink has become apparent amongst the staff and long standing volunteers and that positive change will never come about while things remain that way. Innovation is impossible if you keep doing things the way you've always done them, and if you are constantly trying to avoid conflict.
I had been in contact with IAR Goa for 6 months prior to my visit to help. It was hugely important for me to come out but I was given absolutely NO prior information about the volunteering apart from that I needed to get some jabs, which I did. My expectations and emotions were not managed at all, prior to or during my time volunteering for IAR.
As for John Hicks going on hunger strike to save beagles, surely his efforts would have been better directed by vegan education or simply by going vegan himself (if he is not already)? Single issue campaigns, focusing on saving beagles rather than birds or anything else, gives the impression that one is more important than the other. By promoting ahimsa and veganism you take an unambiguous and unwavering stand against animal exploitation, rather than promoting single issue campaigns which are ultimately futile. For more information on the abolition of all animal exploitation please visit http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/
I also continue to wonder why the lives of those beagles were so infinitely more important to John than the kittens and puppies who are killed every day by IAR, for the sake of nothing more than population control.
I will write more, detailing fact by fact as to what happened to get to this stage at IAR (sans emotions) but as this is Christmas day I'm going to enjoy myself now.
Christmas cheer to you all!
I.A.R Goa has sterilized over 30,000 dogs and 10,000 cats. They have rescued hundreds of animals from wells, treated thousands of road accidents and sick animal and have a highly dedicated staff. John Hicks the founder almost died on hunger-strike stopping the ICI smoking beagles experiment and has been at the forefront of animal welfare for over 35 years. Do you really think the animals would be better off if the centre was closed?
A more dedicated team you will never meet and it is outrageous that lies like these should be posted on the internet.
My response is that this is not a lie. If the people at IAR are unhappy with what I've said then the problem does not lie wholly with me, as I will discuss below. I know that 90% of the young animals who come into the centre don't make it out alive. I would also like to point out that I never made any insinuation that the animals would be better off if the centre was closed, I just believe that there are ways to improve things and was proactive in showing you the options. I know from speaking to many people that IAR has greatly improved the stray dog and cat population in Goa, however realising that this is largely due to euthanising animals due to lack of space and homes makes me question if this is really a victory for all.
It clearly states at the rescue centre to NEVER ACCEPT WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS RIGHT and that suggestions on how to improve the care given to animals are always welcome. None of my comments or suggestions were welcome, even changing the 90% kill rate to 89% was of no interest. Every time I tried to help in the efforts of IAR Goa, fundraising and otherwise, I was shot down and made to feel worthless. I don't doubt that the team are dedicated however as no interest was shown in saving more lives of the young who come into the shelter I feel that groupthink has become apparent amongst the staff and long standing volunteers and that positive change will never come about while things remain that way. Innovation is impossible if you keep doing things the way you've always done them, and if you are constantly trying to avoid conflict.
I had been in contact with IAR Goa for 6 months prior to my visit to help. It was hugely important for me to come out but I was given absolutely NO prior information about the volunteering apart from that I needed to get some jabs, which I did. My expectations and emotions were not managed at all, prior to or during my time volunteering for IAR.
As for John Hicks going on hunger strike to save beagles, surely his efforts would have been better directed by vegan education or simply by going vegan himself (if he is not already)? Single issue campaigns, focusing on saving beagles rather than birds or anything else, gives the impression that one is more important than the other. By promoting ahimsa and veganism you take an unambiguous and unwavering stand against animal exploitation, rather than promoting single issue campaigns which are ultimately futile. For more information on the abolition of all animal exploitation please visit http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/
I also continue to wonder why the lives of those beagles were so infinitely more important to John than the kittens and puppies who are killed every day by IAR, for the sake of nothing more than population control.
I will write more, detailing fact by fact as to what happened to get to this stage at IAR (sans emotions) but as this is Christmas day I'm going to enjoy myself now.
Christmas cheer to you all!
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