HHDRC facing closure. We need immediate help!

[DawnHRD]

With the permission of Admin, I'm posting this appeal. I'm truly sorry to have to ask, but the situation at HHDRC has reached such a point that if we do not get help & funding, we will have to close permanently within the next couple of weeks.

For the last few years, HHDRC has limped from financial worry to financial worry. We have had a number of donations, some very generous, but never a sustainable and consistent fund coming in. Any donations have been sporadic. In the past, when we ran out of money, my Mum & I made up the shortfall from our own money. Last year, we pretty much paid for the center for 7 months out of our own pockets. As our running costs average out at just over 50,000 bt a month (higher, some months), these days, you can imagine how much we (particularly Mum) have spent.

Now, HHDRC has run out of money again, and this time, we can't subsidise it. I paid 6,000 bt I could ill afford last week, I can't give anymore. Our 2 workers' salaries are due to be paid, the vet's bill is overdue and the dogs will need food bought again soon and I can't manage it. So, unless we get some serious funding, HHDRC will need to close and the 140 dogs in our care face...well, I just don't know. It will also be the end of the plans for the neutering clinic.

So, I'm appealing to anyone who can help & thinks we are doing any good at all, to please, please help us. I am totally distraught at the thought of closing & losing all of the dogs, condemning them to an uncertain future (at best). I can't believe all this work may have been for nothing.

What we need:

Money First & foremost. If you run a business, how about sponsoring a dog (or two)? You get a lovely certificate which you can display and show your customers/clients how much you care. Individuals can also sponsor dogs. Or, we would also be extremely grateful for straight donations.

Adoptions If you have ever thought of adopting a dog from us, now is the time to do it. Every dog adopted is one less we have to find funds to feed, and if we do close, you will have saved a dog from an uncertain future. In return, you get love, companionship, loyalty & security.

Volunteers We currently are in the fortunate position of having a fair amount of stock for our shop. However, we have only 4 volunteers who man it. So, it opens for only 4 x half days a week. We can't sell things to get money, if we are not open. If you have time to spare every week, please consider manning the shop. It would help us get a small but consistent amount of money in.
We also need volunteers to organise fundraising events. If you have ideas on how to give people a good time, and still raise money & have the time to put your idea into action, you would be helping us immeasurably.

Fostering If you are only in HH for a few months at a time, can you foster a dog? This makes them more adoptable, gives you companionship and reduces the amount we pay for the period you have the dog. (This option, of course, is subject to us staying open)

Food or vet care If you would prefer not to give money, could you buy food (rice, canned or dry) for the dogs? Or visit "our" vet & pay him some money to reduce our "tab"? That way you can be 110% sure that your donation is (or has) going directly to the dogs. (Money also goes directly to the dogs, but I realise some people feel giving goods is safer)

We would be very grateful for any & all help. The future of HHDRC lies in your hands, now. Please help us.

I'd just like to say a very sincere "thank you" to everyone who has helped us in the past. Without you, this sad situation would have happened a lot sooner.

If you can help, please post, pm me or phone 081 9814406.

Thank you so much.

[kiwi P]

Hi Dawn,sorry to hear of your predicament,i am only to willing to help.Would be a money donation as i'm back here in Kiwi-land.Is there any way of donating on-line or even doing a bank transfer?

Why i didnt pm is we have to keep this thread open and going so others can also help in what ever way they can..

Dawn ......has the idea of going round all the bars hanging pictures of your shelter,with words to the effect of (just a proposal) HHDRC are grateful of the sponsership from (blar-blar bar...guesthouse),,,well something to that effect...

Man's best friends are in Dire Straights,,hope we can all get behind this and help Dawn out..


Peace Out..

[jackie]

Dawn I would also like to make a donation which I will bring with me when I come in April.

I think you are doing a fantastic job so hopefully everyone will chip in for this very worthy cause.

[dane48]

Hi Dawn,sorry to hear of your predicament,i am only to willing to help.Would be a money donation as i'm back here in Kiwi-land.Is there any way of donating on-line or even doing a bank transfer?..

Interested in this possibilty also....... Not a Kiwi by the way (just wanted to make sure....................LOL)

Why i didnt pm is we have to keep this thread open and going so others can also help in what ever way they can..

Dawn ......has the idea of going round all the bars hanging pictures of your shelter,with words to the effect of (just a proposal) HHDRC are grateful of the sponsership from (blar-blar bar...guesthouse),,,well something to that effect...

Man's best friends are in Dire Straights,,hope we can all get behind this and help Dawn out..


Peace Out..

All good ideas -

Here's another one - all contries have National Animal Protection Societies, think members of this board could try to write their homelands Society with Dawns plea for funds.

[DawnHRD]

Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate your help. Have had a few offers of small donations via a newsletter I sent out from our website (all from overseas, interestingly!) I'll pm kiwi p & dane48 with bank account details. Thanks again.

[Roppongi]

Dawn have you thought of seeking funding from animal rights groups like PETA?

http://www.peta.org/

What about trying to get the media (Thai and English) to write a feature on your efforts in a bid to attract sponsors?

The King has a soft spot for stray dogs. Why not seek funding from a few of his animal rescue organizations?

Most people wouldn't classify dogs as wild animals, but this group could lead you in the right direction.

http://www.warthai.org/content/educatio ... etrade.htm

Hang in there.

[Blood]

Dawn, what do you think the dogs did before your organisation was set up? The dogs survived before and they will survive in the future. I am sure your dog home is well intentioned, but you should seriously ask yourself if taking stray dogs in from the street does more harm than good? Who gave you the authority to do this anyway? Why do you think the Thai people can not handle the problem their own way? I would rather give my money to poor people or orphans before I help a Ferang-run dog home which has no reason to exist other than someone decided it would be a good idea. That's my honest opinion and I'm sorry if it upsets anyone, but this is an open forum and I am giving my open viewpoint. I love dogs but can't see how putting them into a dog prison helps them. Dog rescue? What are you rescuing them from? Why do you think dog jail is better then dogs running free?
I'm sure you must be a very nice person, dog lovers usually are, but sometimes well-intentioned ideas are really a bad idea!

[lomuamart]

How long have you been in HH, Blood?
Because I can remember the "bad old days" when you quite literally took your life in your hands when walking around the centre of town after 2am.
The dogs were big and seriously aggressive.
Of course the Thais took care of the problem in their own way - ie did nothing.

[The understudy]

Hi there MS. Dawn
I'm here in Hua Hin right now and would really like to help with my Donation. Plus I have German friends of our Family with me who are here for a couple of days. If they see your work they might be willing to help you out with Donations too. Please pm me for more details how can I send you my donations and how to get to your place. Thanks for the Idea Roppongi! I'm going to wirte An article for the german Dog Lovers Magazine "Hunde" get people and Dog lovers aware of the work that you are doing Ms. Dawn and I hope it gets some Donations in.
A Thanks in Advace your's The understudy!!!

[Blood]

How long have you been in HH, Blood?
Because I can remember the "bad old days" when you quite literally took your life in your hands when walking around the centre of town after 2am.
The dogs were big and seriously aggressive.
Of course the Thais took care of the problem in their own way - ie did nothing.

2 months - but I've been visiting for a few years now.

Are you trying to tell me that the Ferang-run dog rescue has made it safe for you to walk the streets in the early hours of the morning? That's quite a claim! So the dog rescue is full of ferocious dogs which have been tamed?

[Kraka's Dad]

How long have you been in HH, Blood?
Because I can remember the "bad old days" when you quite literally took your life in your hands when walking around the centre of town after 2am.
The dogs were big and seriously aggressive.
Of course the Thais took care of the problem in their own way - ie did nothing.

2 months - but I've been visiting for a few years now.

Are you trying to tell me that the Ferang-run dog rescue has made it safe for you to walk the streets in the early hours of the morning? That's quite a claim! So the dog rescue is full of ferocious dogs which have been tamed?

Blood,
From your posts you are obviously a complete fool.
You have taken in nothing from your visits and have no idea how much good Dawn and the HHDRC have done.
Get a life and open your eyes.

[rosievictoria]

Blood
You would not have an idea what the streets of Hua Hin were like before Dawn & her team took over.
I can remember one year in the main street watching a bitch deliver six pups poor under nourished little things as well as the very distressed mother all laying on the footpath.
So dont be a twerp and talk about something you know nothing about.
We have Dawn who took on the challenge and really cleaned up the Hua Hin streets.
We take all this for granted now and it would be terrible to go back to the old days.
Dawn someone suggested you get media attention.
Lots of the Bangkok well heeled have homes in Hua Hin so make a plea to the Bangkok Post to give you some space to state your case.
Maybe even a personal letter to the King.
Approach a T.V. station.
What about one of the Golf clubs becoming a sponser.
I'm sorry I at present only get to spend 90 days each year in Hua Hin(hoping in the next week or so to get a longer visa) and wont be there till June.
May something good happen for you very soon you really deserve it.
Ignore what stupid people write about you.You know and we know what
a great job you are doing. rosievictoria

[DawnHRD]

Dawn, what do you think the dogs did before your organisation was set up? The dogs survived before and they will survive in the future. I am sure your dog home is well intentioned, but you should seriously ask yourself if taking stray dogs in from the street does more harm than good? Who gave you the authority to do this anyway? Why do you think the Thai people can not handle the problem their own way? I would rather give my money to poor people or orphans before I help a Ferang-run dog home which has no reason to exist other than someone decided it would be a good idea. That's my honest opinion and I'm sorry if it upsets anyone, but this is an open forum and I am giving my open viewpoint. I love dogs but can't see how putting them into a dog prison helps them. Dog rescue? What are you rescuing them from? Why do you think dog jail is better then dogs running free?
I'm sure you must be a very nice person, dog lovers usually are, but sometimes well-intentioned ideas are really a bad idea!

Blood, you are entitled to your opinion. You are also entitled to do whatever you like with your own money. But, please, come & visit our center before you criticise. We do not take dogs off the streets just for the sake of it. We take them because they are sick & injured & (if we can) we put them back, well, neutered & vaccinated. At the moment I have 2 with broken legs. We have paid for their leg pinning ops & they are on 3 months cage rest for the bones to calcify & become strong. Then they are going back to their territories. I have no wish nor money to keep dogs that we don't need to!
Many cannot be put back (like our 4 paraplegic dogs) or those that have lost their territories. Those we keep & try to rehome. Our center is not like a prison. All of our dogs are extremely happy, socialised & well-loved. I invite you to come & see for yourself any time.

[lomuamart]

How long have you been in HH, Blood?
Because I can remember the "bad old days" when you quite literally took your life in your hands when walking around the centre of town after 2am.
The dogs were big and seriously aggressive.
Of course the Thais took care of the problem in their own way - ie did nothing.

2 months - but I've been visiting for a few years now.

Are you trying to tell me that the Ferang-run dog rescue has made it safe for you to walk the streets in the early hours of the morning? That's quite a claim! So the dog rescue is full of ferocious dogs which have been tamed?

Even longer than me. I bow down to your superior knowledge.

[cole]

It seems to me that any charity could be criticised on the basis of " what happened before your charity came along".
Whether one gives to a dog recue center or the donkey sanctuary is a matter of personal choice. That is why it is a charity and not a tax.

On a lighter note I once distressed my (non British) wife when she put money into a collection box for the PDSA; I explained to her that it stood for the "Permanent Disposal of Sick Animals", at which point she lost her composure, she was even more upset when she realised she had been had.