Pet Providence

1 Photo

by Tom Lee
on Friday, May 21, 2010 12:00 AM

Saving and sheltering strays, Jaiya's Animal Rescue has been rescuing and re-housing dogs and cats since March 2009. It provides both a charity to help these animals and an alternative to purchasing them from stores and street corners, where the treatment and care they receive - as well as the monetary motives of the vendors - can be extremely dubious, to say the least.

The organization was named by Founder Marvin Manalac after his nine-week-old daughter, Jaiya Kristina, who passed away in February 2009 from SIDS. Similar to SCAA (Second Chance Animal Aid), JAR has no facilities to lodge pets, instead relying on volunteers to foster them until a new dwelling can be found. Currently, there are over 30 individuals and families involved in the program, though there is always a need for new people to lend a hand, as every day brings more creatures reclaimed from a life on the streets.

Back in March, the outfit managed to settle on a venue to host their monthly meets for those in foster care, the next of which is on June 13. These social occasions occur at Papas Bierstube, on HongMei Road Snack Street. A furry gathering of all shapes and sizes congregates around the area, some bashfully reticent, others eagerly snuffling at outstretched hands. Even if you're not looking to take in a pet - either temporarily or permanently - there are other ways to get involved. Donations of bedding, clothing, toys, food and money are always appreciated to provide for the animals in their halfway houses.

All of these orphans undergo health checks and vaccinations before adoption; most are also spayed or neutered, depending on their age. The group is careful to stress the responsibilities involved in caring for an animal, as well as the obvious companionship aspect. Registration is essential in China and this can be an expense some are unwilling to incur, aside from any medical bills that may arise. For some owners, the realization that time commitment and patience are necessary to train and nurture an animal quickly wears down the novelty, and they thoughtlessly relinquish what they consider a burden.

To combat this, Marvin hopes to hold more regular fund raisers and bazaars to expand the size of the operation, enabling him to save more animals from the rough and hazardous life of a street prowler.