City Crisis – Save Friendicoes & Save Strays, Defence Colony
Have heart, not money.
[Text and photos by Mayank Austen Soofi]
Bad news. Friendicoes may become history.
According to a report by journalist Somya Lakhani in The Indian Express, the Delhi-based animal welfare NGO may soon shut down. It is facing a serious money crunch. The newspaper quoted the NGO’s co-founder Geeta Seshamani, who said, “At the moment, we have 320 animals at the Delhi center and 1.300 at the Gurgaon center. We have run up a debt of Rs 82 lakh, and are in a situation where we can’t afford to pay for food or medicines. We also had to discontinue the night ambulance.”
Fortunately, the news report adds that “individuals and groups across the city have sprung into action” to raise funds for the debt-ridden NGO.
Perhaps the organization, founded in 1979 by a group of animal lovers, was not smart with its finances but many Delhiwallas will attest that Friendicoes has been sincerely trying to change the lives of stray animals in the city. For animal lovers, it has almost become a part of everyday life–you see an injured dog on the road, you immediately call up the Friendicoes helpline.
This organisation deserves a chance to live. The Delhi Walla once photographed some of the animals at the Friendicoes’s shelter, which lies just under the Defence Colony flyover. The images of these sick dogs aim to manipulate your sentiments. Donations on www.bitgiving.com/Friendicoes.
You’ll be better soon, love
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We have to raise some money … thx for the article.
Thank you for sharing this story. They are good people doing good work.