Ayesha Chundrigardh Foundation (ACF) took to Instagram to shed light on how difficult it is to conduct animal rescues during the monsoon season.
ACF is the first and largest animal rescue organisation in Pakistan, which has contributed tremendously to the welfare of animals across the country.
However, recently, the organisation admitted that they weren’t doing so well because of the strains created by the rain in Karachi.
The NGO posted videos of their cars driving through flooded streets and drenched workers lifting up a paralysed dog, who seemed to have been hit by a car.
The organisation emphasised that this was a time when the animals needed their help the most. However, the poor management of rainwater increased fuel costs and made it difficult for them to reach critical places in time.
The NGO further complained that people weren’t paying their meagre Rs 250 fee, which barely covered their fuel costs, let alone the maintenance of their heavy-duty cars.
“When we asked for Rs 250 per rescue,” the post read, “that’s barely covering fuel and many aren’t paying, so we’re just covering costs and going on anyway, as we do.”
The NGO also clarified that they weren’t ‘responding’ to people’s urgent calls because of choppy phone signals created by the rain and because of the difficulty of getting from one place to another in the flooded streets.
“The team is busy just ensuring we get to the location and that our car doesn’t get stuck loaded with injured animals,” the post clarified.
The NGO said that it was difficult to juggle all the required tasks, as more time than usual was taken up by rescue missions during rain season.
“We have to ensure that the 750 plus (animals) that live with us are doing alright,” the post read, “and that the shopkeepers at Empress market are taking some precautionary measures for the animals during the rain.”
The NGO also expressed concern about the health of sacrificial animals, who are at risk because of the rain.
After explaining all the difficulties, the post urged residents of Karachi to donate to the organisation in these turbulent times.
