Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF)
editThe Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF) is a non-profit animal rights and rescue organization located in Karachi, Pakistan.[1] Founded in 2013 by Pakistani activist Ayesha Chundrigar, ACF is the first and largest animal rights and rescue organization in Pakistan. ACF's work includes rescue and rehabilitation of abused, neglected and injured street, labour and homeless animals, as well as education, advocacy and outreach on animal welfare and rights. The organization also engages in environmental campaigns and social initiatives to help people and animals co-exist. Since 2013, 14,378 animals have been rescued, 2,746 animals have been humanely trapped-neutered-vaccinated-returned (TNVR), 6,719 temporary Equine Medical Camps have been arranged and 1,809 temporary Pet Market Medical Camps have been organized. The shelter currently hosts 871 animals and the organization has expanded to 159 volunteers since its inception.[2] The organization has won multiple awards for their humanitarian efforts and campaigns.
About
edit
ACF is an animal rights, rescue and rehabilitation organization for abused and injured animals. ACF was founded in 2013 in Karachi, Pakistan by Ayesha Chundrigar. The organization rescues 200 animals per month and receives approximately 5-15 animals per day.[2] The organization includes a rescue service, sanctuary and shelter. The organization's primary initiatives include the animal shelter, spay/neuter program and donkey camps.[1] The organization also has an ambulatory service, a rescue hotline and an active social media presence for the public to reach them.[2] In addition to the rescue service, sanctuary and shelter, the organization takes part in a host of environmental initiatives, regional and local humanitarian projects, animal welfare programs and mass vaccination campaigns. The rescue works entirely on donations. [1]
Work
editACF Animal Rescue
editACF established the first animal sanctuary in Pakistan, the ACF Animal Rescue.[2] The sanctuary serves abused and injured street animals such as: dogs, cats and birds; labour animals such as: donkeys, horses, camels; and farm animals such as: goats and cows. After rehabilitation and care some animals are let out into friendly localities. Other animals who are unable to survive outside of the sanctuary are given permanent residence.[1] The animals are properly fed, given medical treatment and provided safety. The rescue serves as a special needs home, orphanage, old age home, shelter and hospital for the animals who reside.[2]
ACF Ambulance Service
editACF has an established ambulance service with active helplines, including social media helplines to encourage and allow citizens to report injured animals to the ACF rescue team. The organization's vans and rescue team facilitate this service.[2]
Donkey Camps
editDonkey Camps are treatment and educations campaigns specifically designed for donkeys in Pakistan. The, "forgotten brick kilns" program, is specifically for donkeys used in brick kilns near Islamabad. Donkeys are the primary mode of transportation in the country and are often abused.[1] The program provides medical camps, free treatment and food for donkeys as well as medical treatment to donkey owners and their families. There are also educational resources and community programmes to teach owners how to treat their animals better. Owners are educated on donkey behaviour and how to treat their animals with compassion.[2] Donkey owners are also given aides to help them care for their animals, such as instructions on feeding and rest requirements. Between 18-50 donkeys can be treated in one donkey camp. Sometimes donkeys are taken back to the shelter.[1] These camps are also extended to locales in Karachi.[2]
Trap Neuter Release and Rabies Vaccination Program
editACF also undertakes a mass trap, neuter, release program (TNR). TNR and rabies vaccinations are conducted daily.[2] Vaccinations prevent the spread of diseases within the street dog population and neutering assists in population control. Neutering also discourages illegal breeding. Both male and female dogs are neutered before being released from the sanctuary.[1]
Educational Programs
editACF runs a variety educational and motivational programmes encouraging compassion and empathy for animals. The organization encourages the integration of people and animals in a singular environment. ACF works to foster compassionate and empathic relationships between animals and society. There are multiple outreach programs that encourage the better treatment of animals. Donkey camps serve to educate donkey owners on how to humanely treat their animals. Project Empathy is another program that teaches children how to humanely treat animals. ACF invites schools, special needs institutions and children recovering from drug addictions into the sanctuary to learn more about animal care through Project Empathy. The space is designed to heal and to teach empathy for animals. ACF also invites children to volunteer at the organization to learn more about animals.[2]
Environmental Initiatives
editACF is involved in multiple environmental initiatives including promoting cleaner oceans with the ACF ghost net dog leash. The award-winning leash is produced from ghost net left in the ocean. It is eco-friendly and is also developed in a socially responsible manner. The organization incentivizes fishermen to remove ghost net traps which kill thousands of sea animals each year. Women living in fishing villages are employed to create the leash from the extracted net.The plastic net is braided to create the final product, which is sold locally and internationally. ACF also encourages conservation efforts and environmental protection.[2]
Political Advocacy
editACF actively advocates for tangible societal and political changes towards the treatment and abuse of animals in Pakistan. The organization's mission includes: giving a voice to animals, changing mindsets and stigma regarding animals in Pakistan and enabling discussions regarding the connection between animal rights issues and other social issues in the country. ACF seeks to spread awareness and change legislation.[2]
ACF efforts have pushed government officials to develop SOP's regarding the treatment of animals in pet markets in Pakistan. After a year of campaigning for animal rights at Empress Market in Karachi, government officials took action. A meeting with the deputy commissioner of South Karachi, Irshad Sodhar was arranged to discuss the ethical treatment of animals in pet markets. Adequate sized cages, food, water and fans and shade for captured animals were suggested ideas to be encouraged for merchants. The efforts at Empress Market have set a precedent for the rest of the city of Karachi.[3]
Other Programs
editOther initiatives from ACF include: animal market relief camps, the humane harness program, hydration drives, community stray animal feeding programmes, kid animal heroes, ration distributions, iftaar programs in the holy month of ramadaan, wildlife rescues, the ACF Mobile Clinic, sponsor a pet and the ACF picnic.[1][2][4]
Chapters
editACF has chapters in Karachi, Pakistan and the United States.[2][5] Both chapters help initiatives in Pakistan. ACF also hosts programs in other parts of Pakistan such as the "forgotten brick kilns" program near Islamabad.[2]
Awards
editACF has received multiple awards including:
- KHI Award[2]
- WWF-Pakistan's Green Innovation Challenge[2]
- Conclave Pakistan: Pride of Pakistan[2]
- Hello Awards- Best New Mission With a Cause[2]
- LadiesFund Women Awards 2017- Angel Award Winner 2017: Ayesha Chundrigar[2]
- 7th Corporate Social Responsibility Summit & Awards: Ms. Ayesha Chundrigar[2]
- HUM Women Leaders Award 2021[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Chawla, Mehreen Naveed (2016-03-05). "Something beautiful is happening at the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation". DAWN.COM. NewsKit Publishing Platform. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "ACF Animal Rescue". Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ Desk, Web (2022-02-26). "Govt to develop SOPs at Pet Markets thanks to Chundrigar-ACF Animal Rescue". Behtareen.pk. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ a b Webdesk (2021-03-11). "Ayesha Chundrigar wins HUM women leaders award for trailblazing animal welfare in Pakistan". Daily The Azb. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "ACF USA - ACF Animal Rescue USA". ACF USA. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
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