BAHRAIN’S oldest animal welfare centre is facing a financial crisis and is at risk of closing down its facility by the end of this month due to rising costs and falling donations.
The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) requested urgent support to keep its Animal Welfare Centre in Askar open.
According to BSPCA chairman Mahmood Faraj, its perilous financial situation is making it ‘extremely difficult for the society to continue its operations’.
“As a registered charity of more than 40 years, the BSPCA has provided a variety of services to the community of Bahrain,” Mr Faraj told the GDN.
“These include governmental consultation, spay and neuter programmes, educational programmes for children as well as providing food, shelter, medical care and adoption services to animals in need.
“We are being charged the commercial rate for utility bills which amounts to up to BD1,000 per month during the summer and we aren’t able to keep up with the rising expenses.
“Without the Animal Welfare Centre, hundreds of needy animals would be left without a home or other support.
“We desperately need help and urgent support to keep the centre open.”
Mr Faraj highlighted that given the current situation the centre faces closure by the end of the month if urgent support isn’t provided.
He said that plans for the adoption of 80 dogs and 80 cats under the care of BSPCA are currently being arranged if closure is carried out with all the animals spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated and assessed for their mental and physical health.
The BSPCA was established in 1979 by a small group of committed and passionate animal lovers and was officially registered by the Social Development Ministry as a humane, charitable, non-profit organisation dedicated to the welfare of animals.
The centre opened in 2012 on donated land and features play areas for the animals, a duck pond and an aviary. It replaced a rundown base on leased land in Shakoora which changed classification from agricultural to residential.
The Animal Welfare Centre now has a purpose built clinic, administration offices and a classroom for school visits.
In the past it has relied on sales from a thrift shop selling secondhand clothing and wares, sponsored dog walks, quiz nights and pet food baskets filled outside supermarkets. Cost of living increases has seen a signifiant drop in support from cash-strapped expatriates and locals in recent months.
Over the years, thousands of cats and dogs were rescued and the charity is now involved in helping to tackle the cause of animal abuse and mistreatment, promoting solutions, publicising cases and lobbying for reform.
The BSCPA helped the government draft the first Animal Welfare Law, which outlawed all forms of animal cruelty, and helped steer the bill through Parliament.
“We have had several meetings with the Social Development Minister Osama Al Asfoor and we are hopeful that he can do something,” said Mr Faraj.
“We have been trying to find alternative solutions for a long time and we can no longer sustain ourselves and provide these services without urgent support.
“We have overcome many obstacles and crises over the years and survived despite the circumstances but we can no longer do it alone without urgent financial support.”
Donations can be made in cash or card at the Animal Welfare Centre or through banks using IBAN BH04NBOB00000099073943. If you can help call 17591231.
reem@gdnmedia.bh
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