Compassion and Responsibility for Animals

Compassion and Responsibility for Animals (CARA) is a registered non-profit animal welfare organization in the Philippines. It was founded in 2000 by a group of dedicated animal lovers. Its current president is Nancy Cu-Unjieng.[1]

Objectives

CARA's core objectives can be summed up as ABC and E or Animal Birth Control and Education. The organization focuses on reducing the number of homeless animals and stopping animal cruelty by promoting spay and neuter and responsible pet ownership.

In terms of ongoing projects, CARA has two main goals: procuring a van which can serve as a mobile spay and neuter clinic, and building a shelter for its rescued animals.[2]

Campaigns

CARA actively campaigns for spay and neuter. In 2007, it established the first low-cost spay and neuter clinic in the Philippines.[3] The clinic is located in Makati City. To date, over 2,000 animals have been fixed at the clinic. In keeping with this campaign, CARA also performs Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR), wherein a stray animal is caught, neutered, then released. TNR is currently the most humane and effective solution to curbing the feral cat population. CARA's TNR program has received support from Bonifacio Global City in Taguig and is currently in place in Dasmarinas Village, Forbes Park Village, Bel Air Village, San Lorenzo Village and Pacific Malayan.

CARA has spoken at various schools, such as the international Beacon School in Taguig, on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. It has also held programs during events such as World Animal Day, providing lectures, free anti-rabies vaccines, check-ups, and supplies to pet owners. Among its notable achievements are signing a memorandum with the Makati City dog pound for a better managed facility.

Adoption is another core campaign of CARA.[4] Its animals are either strays, rescues, or pets which have been abandoned by their owners. However, CARA is not an animal shelter and does not have a facility to house relinquished pets. All its animals are fostered in the homes of members and volunteers. CARA's first adoption event was held at Bonifacio High Street in Taguig in February 2009. The event was so successful that two more adoption events followed later that month. A total of 22 cats and 3 dogs were adopted; however, one dog was later returned to the organization.[5]

CARA often works with other animal welfare organizations, such as the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC), in protests and campaigns. It has joined protests against dog fighting, the electrocution of dogs in the local pounds, the poor conditions of the Manila Zoo[6], the giving away of live rabbits and chicks by establishments during Easter, and the illegal dog meat trade. The organization recently took part in training provided by Humane Society International.

Other programs include the Faith Fund[7], Sponsor a Cat[8], Sponsor a Spay or Neuter[9], and Wildlife Party[10]. The Faith Fund was named after a rescued cat and supports the medical expenses of CARA's sick or handicapped rescued animals. Many of them are successfully rehabilitated and are adopted into loving homes. "Sponsor a Cat" allows people who cannot adopt but who wish to help by enabling them to pay for the food, medicine, and other expenses of one of CARA's rescued cats until the cat is adopted. Sponsors receive a certificate and updates on their chosen animal. "Sponsor a Spay or Neuter" lets people make a one-time donation towards a spay or neuter, either of a rescued animal or one involved a TNR program, at the CARA clinic. To raise funds, CARA throws Wildlife Parties for children, wherein exotic reptiles and insects are showcased by trained handlers. CARA also recently held its first garage sale in Bel Air Village, which was a huge success.

Press

CARA has been featured in various newspapers for their work.[11],[12],[13],[14]

They have appeared on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a feature for World Animal Day in October 2006[15]. The adoption event in Bonifacio High Street received considerable coverage[16][17], including by Reuters and Yahoo! News. In 2006, CARA participated in the "Dog Walk for a Cause" to protest the illegal dog meat trade and were noted for being the only group that proudly paraded mixed breed dogs[18]. Local mixed breed dogs (commonly called "askals" in the Philippines) are not popular choices for Filipino pet owners, as most prefer purebreds.

CARA also has a special page in every issue of Animal Scene magazine.

CARA also made the news when a number of their rescued cats became victims of horrific animal abuse. Despite being caged and kept in a secure area in a private subdivision, the cats and kittens were shot point-blank in the head. Many died or had to be euthanized; only 15 of the 29 animals survived. The event drew outrage and sparked an investigation, but the perpetrators were never found.[19]

References

• "Do they need to be voters in order to be heard?" by Totel V. de Jesus. Business Mirror.
• "Cat tales in the city" by Kathy Moran. The Philippine Star. 9 August 2008.
• "Beyond caring for animals" by Jun Ebias. Business Mirror.
• "Center shelters homeless pets" by Marlet V. Salazar. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. 1 October 2006.
• "Manila zoo animals suffer from boredom, abuse" by Abigail Kwok. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. 17 February 2009.
• "Cats in the cradle of compassion" by Tanya T. Lara. The Philippine Star. 6 December 2008.
• "Adopt a cat, animal rights group tells Pinoys" by Evelyn Macairan. The Philippine Star. 22 February 2009.
• "Wigs, accessories for running gear" by Tessa Prieto-Valdez. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. 21 February 2009.
• "Dogs unleash protest against cruelty" by Marlet V. Salazar. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. 9 May 2005.
• "Cat carnage in posh Makati village draws flak" by Elvira Mata. The Philippine Daily Inquirer. 3 January 2008.

External links

• CARA's website
• CARA's blog
• CARA's multiply