How People Across India Donated Rs 13 Lakh in a Day to Save an Animal Shelter from Shutting Down

Friendicoes, a shelter home for stray animals, which has been serving animals in distress for over three decades now, announced that it would have to close down due to lack of funds. Here is how people came together to save their beloved shelter home in Delhi.

Animal lovers across the country have been deeply troubled ever since they heard the news that Friendicoes, a Delhi based shelter for stray and sick animals, is facing closure due to lack of funds.

The shelter, which was started in 1979, has a policy of attending to all the distressed animals brought to them. The team never refuses to provide services.

However, they had been struggling to cope with monetary crisis since a while now, because of which their night ambulance service has already been discontinued.

As of now, Friendicoes is under a debt of Rs. 82 lakhs, and hence the shelter is being shut down. Apart from this, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) owes the NGO Rs. 38 lakhs since October last year, as per their official Facebook page.

It will be sad to see #Friendicoes shut shop, I really hope the MCD pays its dues towards the pet care facility… @Friendicoes_DEL
— Sulabh Puri (@sulabhpuri) August 25, 2015

The public concern against this was quite evident on social media, and it soon got converted into a fund generation campaign to save the beloved shelter home for animals.

“Friendicoes is not only a shelter. It is a way of life for many. It is a place to learn patience, perseverance and compassion. It is a place where one feels gratitude for the marvellous courage one sees every day, for the lessons learnt from the animals that fight pain, live when we think it is impossible, enjoy life against all odds and are happy with the very little life sends their way. While we see the limitations, the animals see how much fun they can have in the now. It’s a place where you are always loved unconditionally by the animals. It’s a place of great solace, of healing and caring for the hundreds of souls that pass through our doors as well as for us who work in there,” said Geeta Seshamani co-founder and Vice President, Friendicoes SECA

Soon everyone was talking about Friendicoes, and the online campaign managed to raise over Rs. 13 lakh in just a day with the help of over 400 contributors.

Currently, the NGO needs Rs. 20 lakh to continue its operations, and will also need constant financial aid to run its services smoothly.

Apart from the online crowdfunding, well-wishers have also started a collection drive which will take place from Aug 26 to Aug 28 in National Park (behind LSR), Delhi.

With many helping hands, we hope to see Friendicoes back on its feet soon.

You can help the organization by donating here.

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