Since we started bringing the PawzUp sanctuary to life, we have been consistently asked why we thought such a large complex was needed. After all, ROLDA has built two other shelters from scratch, which we have been operating for almost 20 years. So why not just build another shelter?
After all, it would be easier for us to do so since we are familiar with the process. We’d know exactly what to do, how to do it, and how to get the exact funding since we already have enough experience running such a place. Another shelter would be easy to manage and give us the extra space and resources to rescue even more animals—the number of animals potentially saved being in accordance with the size of the newly built shelter. So, again, why not just build another shelter?
As mentioned above, it would be familiar business. This is not to say that running an animal rescue of any size is easy or unchallenging. But since we already know how much we can do at a shelter, we decided to do more.
Things we can do at PawzUp that we cannot do at our traditional ROLDA shelters
Have our own medical clinic
Medical care is one of the top needs of the animals we rescue. Some of them are severely injured and need surgery. Another large group comprises ill animals, most of whom are malnourished and dehydrated. We rarely find an animal with absolutely no medical problem and no need for a doctor, although miracles have happened.
Then, there is the administration of continued treatment for some of our residents and supervision for those undergoing surgery or with complicated conditions.
In other words, a staffed, on-site clinic is more than needed. A shelter is too small to warrant its incorporation, but a complex rescue center could not function without one.
Finally, be able to save and house large animals
Large animals, such as donkeys and horses, are also abandoned in rural communities. The difference is that they are more difficult to help and house, given their size and special requirements.
PawzUp is designed to accommodate larger animals and has already been constructed according to these plans.
We can have room for all the types of facilities we need
An isolation unit, a treatment unit, a medical center, a community space for visitors to interact with the animals, and a room for our animal care seminars and the events in our education and social programs.
Community programs
Conducting our activity from the heart of a Romanian rural community has sometimes been a Godsend. Closeness to people has made us more aware of their real needs and has made them more open to all the good that can be done at a private shelter.
Some of the people around us are the primary beneficiaries of most of our social programs and would love to be more involved and be able to visit and connect with our animals
Access different types of funding
With the shelter, we have been very creative in securing donations and keeping the wheels turning. However, a complex animal rescue center has a different ring and appeal, making us more eligible for the types of donations and sponsorships larger organizations receiveget.
Jobs and volunteering opportunities
But running a rescue center is like playing in the big leagues. Managing it will be a lot more challenging, and the workload will increase tenfold. This is where the community will come in once again. We can hire locals for permanent positions and offer rotating volunteering jobs for vet medical students and other people who need to practice. The good part is that various types of positions will be available, from economic to administrative, communication, and animal care.
All in all, a shelter is functional and helps save lives. An animal rescue complex, on the other hand, is the type of place that can make the dreams of animal lovers come true: big enough to welcome all those in need, well-equipped to take on even the most challenging cases, well-structured to allow animals time to heal without the pressure of having to find them a house, and enough space to get people involved in animal care.
Source: FG Newswire