Everyone can become a Helper

Share stories about how you (or someone you know) has helped an animal (any animal)! This could be an inspiration to everyone else!

Email your stories to animalhelperblog.posts@blogger.com and we'll share it on our social media sites fr where others can learn and take inspiration!

We see animals in need around us all the time! Yet how often do we stop and lend a helping hand?

How often have you felt - I wish I could help, but I need to rush! And the that hurry just said a little prayer hoping someone else helps the poor little soul?!

I can honestly say, we've all gone through it! Times when we wish we could quit our job and just do something for our furry friends.

Network of animal helpers was created so that each of us can help these little ones in any manner possible. Here's your chance - share your stories... Help others help animals!

International Animal Rescue - Bear rescue and rehabilitation

Some months back, I had posted about bear dances being illegal and the reasons why. I recently came across this website about an animal help agency where they talk about the same topic. Despite it being made illegal decades ago, the practice still continues in the country.

How can we put an end to it when people don't know why it's wrong! We can spread the word about how savage the whole idea is, and why it was made illegal in the first place. You can read more on the topic on International Animal Rescue - Bear rescue and rehabilitation.

YOU have to START!!

How many times have you said to yourself "it's not my job, xyz is supposed to do it?"

We have all said it one time or another! I myself have said it on countless occasions! But then I realised how if I just did a little, I could help in a big way. There's a quote in Hindi, 'boond boond se sagar banta hai' (the sea is made of many drops).

I realised this when I saw how just a small piece of bread that I gave the dog in my street made his day! He was neutered. But sadly, he was not going to survive alone. A lady in the community used to feed all the stray dogs in the area. I used to think that was enough food for them. But then I thought to myself. Why only her? We are more than a 100 people living here; each rich enough to blow up money in coffee shops and clubs!So why can't we spend a few bucks and give some bread and milk to the dogs in the area?

This simple idea, led me to start taking food down for the dog. I must admit, I wasn't regular. My  mom was far more active in this area. The bottom-line is, despite not being a big help, it helped him a little, or so I think it did!

If each of us does a little bit, we can make a big difference! There is no point in always blaming the government or people around you! It all starts with you! YOU have to make the start! Will you?

The Strike!

For years man has made profits out of animals. Without realising it, we have trampled over every aspect of their lives. People have forever taken animals for granted. But now, during the recession, it is the animals that face the brunt for somehting they have never done! I don't think any of us can remember an animal coming up to us and saying 'put me in the circus' or 'put me in your stable and I will win races for you!' This was what we people did! But now, when we don't have the money to feed the animals, we just shun them away! Is that fair? Would you do that to your child?

No! Never! Then why do it to your pets? This 'they will survive' attitude must come to an end. The next episode of 'The Takeover' shows how animals are going to take back what is theirs and how they will show us the way out of the recession!

Share it! Let people know what will happen if they don't change their attitude towards animals! 

Learn to Smile, and maybe skip 1 coffee a month!

So I was wondering, how do animals feel when they see us... here's a little glimpse about what they think we do...

What do you think? How often do you smile?

On the other hand, in 'Every Little Bit Helps', Chris and Meg are talking about how people have enough money for clubs and discos, but they can't take out a few bucks to help animals!

So can you spare change for getting animals in your area neutered?

Using the Power of People

Being a Digital Marketing student and an animal lover, I was trying to use the power of social media to promote international collaboration to tackle problems faced by animals in various countries. Unfortunately, I have been a bit busy off-late with course work, and therefore the network has been having to grow and feed itself. However, I realised that people need some way of sharing information and understanding one another's problems. This is why I started the series 'Every Little Bit Helps'. This series highlights the problems faced by people who are trying to help animals.

Since I have lived in India, I am well aware of the problems faced in the cities there, but I am still unaware of the difficulties in other parts of the world. Some places might be similar, while others quite different. This is why I asked my network for help!

I need to first be able to understand the problems faced and then show it to the rest of the world. NOAH will also launch a campaign on the same lines. The idea of the network is to share problems and use the concept of 6 degrees of separation to promote animal welfare!

Using social media for a social cause is what this world needs to start doing! And not just to follow local organizations, but to collaborate and understand problems world over! 

A Challenge - Every Little Bit Helps

The new episode of 'Every Little Bit Helps' presents Chris with a challenge. He has to somehow manage to get 50 people to support his cause. The story is now in the hands of the viewers. His boss has given him upto 1 month to get his support. Will you support him?

If you want to show your support, like the video here: http://bit.ly/zVkJQv

What's with the different web-series?

I have been thinking about how to spread the word about problems faced by people who try to help animals. Considering that I have absolutely no budget for this cause, I have to always find ways that will spread the word, but will not cost me a penny!

While thinking about it, I decided to use something I thought might work - YouTube's creator tools! It is amazing how a simple video can spread the word like fire on oil!

As soon as I posted the pilot episode of 'Every little bit helps', followers on Facebook went up. That was when it struck me, why not do something to promote the point of view of animals? That was when I came up with the next series - "The Take Over - Is it True?"

While ELBH focuses on how people are trying to help animals, the second one shifts the radar to how animals feel we are ruining their lives! Being an animal helper, you cannot ignore either aspect!

The animals in 'The Take Over' have decided to take over the way man runs the world. Can you imagine what it would be like if that really happens? Of course you can rejoice that there will be no office or school, but what will you be made to do instead? and if you don't do anything, will you survive?

Will the rule of the jungle ensue?

In the show 'Every Little Bit Helps', 4 young adults attempt to draw in a crowd to help animals. But sadly, as many of you might have seen (or probably faced yourself), it is difficult telling people to work with no pay! But where there is a will, there is a way. How will they manage to get a group to help animals?

You just might get ideas of how to involve your community people in animal welfare (even if it is indirectly)!

If pictures say a 1000 words, then a movie says a 1000 pictures! Let me know what you think, and I will try and meet expectations!

Every Little Helps - Making the Pitch

The pilot episode of the series titled "Every Little Helps".

The story line revolves around a bunch of young adults who are trying to change the society and help animals through various means. But in our world, it is not an easy task to help people out. The series follows the ups and downs, success and failure of 4 friends who have sworn to make a difference in the world.

Chris: Working for a boss who has nothing but company profits on his mind, he thinks of starting some CSR activities in his office so that he can get a larger number of people involved in helping animals...

Meg: Trying to get people from her society involved with getting the street dogs get treated for illnesses, get sprayed and neutered, etc. is frustrated at the fact that nobody can spare a few bucks to help their society...

Nikhil: Working in a media and PR company, he tries to convince his colleagues to cover a story about a series of dognappings going on in town; but there are other things that need the media coverage such as celeb gossip, and political scandals...

Muskaan: An animal activist trying to make sure that the dognapping is checked by the police faces severe hostility and is unable get any work done...

If you have any suggestions on how they should address the matter, leave a comment below! Feel free to email your suggestions/feedback to networkofanimalhelpers@gmail.com

The Bear Dance

Bear dance is something many kids enjoy. A cute furry little bear dancing around to a drum, one of the most popular things I saw back in my home country. There were also monkeys that were brought around on cycles and made to dance. I used to enjoy it when I was a kid, because at that time I thought the monkey and bear were having fun, just like when people dance and have fun!

However, as I grew up, I learnt of how cruel and horrible such practices were! The torture the bears and monkeys go through is incomparable! Can you imagine a thick rope being pierced through the roof of your mouth and and then through your nose? And then can you imagine the pain felt when someone yanked the rope to make you do something?

It gives me goose bumps to just type this, and those babies go through this every minute! When dancing, if a bear does not make the right move, the rope is yanked. This pains him and he continues. It is the same with the monkey.

In fact at times, camels and horses are also treated the same way. They are not meant to dance, but the rope through their nose gives the rider power to 'navigate' the animal.

The sad thing is that most people are unaware of such horrible things that happen right in front of their eyes! They tend to think that animals are having fun when they are doing what they are supposed to do. True, at times they do have fun, but not always. Most of the times, bears and monkeys do not have a choice. They are inducted into this 'industry' right since birth.

Another problem that these animals face is that the people who own them are not very well-off. They are therefore unable to provide the right medical attention when needed. In fact people who take the bears don't realise that it would pain the bear! It often becomes a family business and hence people just continue in their parent's footsteps.

Awareness and education about the reality of the situation is the only weapon against this! If you have seen something like this, share your story below!

(Image Source: http://www.looking-glass.co.uk/news/library2006/2006-1-wildlifesos-story.htm)

Puppy Mills: Torture for the puppies

When people think of buying a dog, the first thing they tend to do is rush to the nearest pet store. The cutest puppy in the shop is picked and brought home. But what people don't realise is the torture those little babies might have been subjected to. The puppy may as well be from a 'puppy mill'

Many of you reading this, might wonder what 'puppy mills' are. A puppy mill is as the name suggests a place where dogs are bred for profit, or to put it in more 'crude' terms, it is a 'puppy making factory'. The health of the parents and puppies is rarely given any sort of importance at such places. The whole focus of a puppy farm is on the profit they make.

So why is this bad for society?

In most parts of the world, there are a number of abandoned and homeless dogs. Many of these end up being abandoned by owners who can no longer take care of them. However, there are some who are simply put out on the street because the puppy mill owners do not think they are 'profitable'.

The dogs are kept under very cramped and unhygienic conditions. It is not a surprise then that many of the puppies end up with illnesses and ailments. These puppies do not fetch a high price, and are therefore neglected by breeders.

Apart from general health, puppies brought up in puppy mills have a very unbalanced social life. They live in cramped cages in the mills and therefore find it difficult to mix and mingle with other dogs or even people.

The psychological trauma that the animals go through at such places, is unimaginable. Can you try and think about how you would feel, being caged up either indoors or outdoors all the time, and constantly being expected to breed? The lack of food, water and fresh air only make matters worse. When the dogs are old and can no longer reproduce, they are again let out or simply put to death! If they get rescued, it takes them nearly a year or 2 to get comfortable and feel 'safe' around humans again.

This is why people are trying to file petitions world over to ban puppy mills. This is just another form of inhumane behaviour that has grasped the world! People who claim to be animal lovers, and therefore rush to a store to buy a puppy, should remember that they are in-turn funding this industry.

Puppy mills are a reality that people need to accept and change. The cute dog in the store has had a traumatic past. If people turn to adoption and rescue centres to buy pets, these puppy mills will slowly close down.

Next time, I will be writing about why in some countries, the 'bear dance' is being banned, and why in some places it already has been!

Spread the Word like Fire on Oil

People join social media to be able to share things with one another. With NGOs joining Facebook and Twitterto spread the word about their organization, people have the chance of doing a good deed sitting at home or even half way across the globe! How??

Well social media is all about connecting and sharing things with people of similar interests. I noticed that there was a key area that was not used to the full potential -- Using Social Media for a Social Cause! There are many organizations trying to help animals around the world. But the problem is that they only tend to gather followers from their own region. People, however are not as limited when it comes to friends and family! I have friends and family in various parts of the world. They in turn have friends from my country who I don't know.

When I share a post, and thereafter they share it too, the word spreads! But as I said in '

Tips and Tricks to Spreading the Word!', sharing everything might get annoying to your friends!

There is another quick way of spreading the word. Tag the friends who you think might be interested in the post. This works in several ways:

1. It sends them the message directly onto their wall.

2. Their friends can see it when they visit their page.

3. Some of your common friends might also glance at the post.

There are sometimes problems in doing this is. It might sometimes be difficult for you to tag too many friends, or if your friends have privacy settings that don't allow you to tag them, then you can't share it with them directly. But you can always send them a private message to spread the word!

A Humane Solution to deal with Stray Animals

As I said in the last post, 'Different Countries, Different Problems', I will be writing about problems faced by animals in various countries. I am going to kick-off by writing about one of the problems faced by most countries that deal with stray animals.

There are always two sides to a coin. You need to choose which one you want, or you can take the time and patience to carefully balance the coin, so you have the best of both sides. Everyone knows that stray animals often cause problems (this does not imply that they are bad). Circumstances do not allow animals to survive in a world where people are two busy rushing around earning money to bother about dogs that come in their way. As a result, the whole society gets divided.

One half of society wants these animals out of their way, by any means necessary, while the other (often a minority) is trying to save them from the wrath of the former! Getting stray animals gassed has become common in many countries. In some places animals are simply put into dog pounds and given a deadline... 'either you find a home by xyz date or you're dead'.

Whether you like it or not, this has become a reality in most places where stray animals are present. Is there any other way to deal with the situation?

Yes. There is a logical and humane way. Spray and neuter stray animals. People have no right to kill them, without reason (and saying that they cause a nuisance is not a valid reason, I'm sure most people cause a nuisance to someone or another too, but we can't apply the same rules then can we?).

In places where stray animals are a problem, if one person can take on the responsibility of getting one animal neutered, the problem would be easy to deal with. The Government of such places should step in and subsidise the cost of getting this done.

The Government can also take the initiative and mandate people to get at least one or two animals neutered in a year. That is all it will take to deal with this problem without having to be monsters and throwing animals in gas chambers or should I say torture chambers.

Nothing happens overnight. It will take time for the society to reform, but once the wheel starts turning, it will not be long before this is done! The animals who are neutered can be rehabilitated by animal shelters. With time, this becomes easier.

Corporate offices can also take part in such drives. A large number of companies are focusing on CSR activities. This can be one of the forms of CSR that they take up.

There are a number of things that can be done to solve the problem of stray animals without hurting them! Most of those animals end up becoming stray due to the negligence of some owner. I have seen cases of when a well groomed Alsatian is roaming the streets picking garbage from a dustbin, while he should have been home with his family. His future generations would all end up on the street, and people would not even take a second look at them--because they are 'STRAY'! I don't think that is fair! Do you?

Next article will deal with puppy mills, and how it is linked to homeless animals! Please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Different Countries Different Problems

Since this is a global network, there is always the wonder of what kind of problems are faced in different countries. To be honest, I thought most developed countries would probably not face much problem at all!

Truth is that the kind of difficulties faced by animals in different countries is different. While in some places, the problem of stray dogs takes the main focus, there are places where this is not a problem at all! Likewise, there are many places where keeping certain breeds of animal is banned, but a person in a country where such restrictions do not exist may not understand the problem!

Understanding the kind of problems animals face in different countries will only help us ensure that we can form a strong enough global network to help them out. One of the key points in making sure that we understand problems in other places is by keeping our minds open! What may be a perfectly normal solution in your country/area may not be the same in some other place.

A simple example of this is the problem of stray dogs. People in countries where they don't have stray animals, might simply reply--neuter them! But it is not until you live in such a place that you really understand the problems faced by those in that situation!

Through this blog, I will try and bridge these differences! Hopefully with network we build, we will be able to understand the problems faced by animals in different regions better!

Importance of Local Animal Help Organizations

Today, after posting the picture about the little puppy, I suddenly realised how it affected people! I used to think I was the only one who hated seeing such pictures, but I realised that I wasn't!

Can you imagine, if seeing such pictures affects us so much, what would we do if we saw it happen in real? I know that most of you will say that you would have perhaps shouted out, called for help or done something else to stop such things. But is it always that easy? It is needless to say that it is not as simple as just walking into a police station and filing a complaint against the people. Many individuals think it is!

The focus of police in most developing countries is on stopping crime happening to people! Very few of them will even listen to you if you say there are a bunch of teenagers hurting a puppy or a kitten!

If you are lucky you might be able to get a complaint registered, but most probably, in most developing and under-developed places, you will not be as lucky! What can you do then?

This is where the local animal help organization comes in action! They take up your complaint, treat it as the most important thing (most of the times) and then try and find a way to help the animal!

A number of local organizations also focus on helping animals when it comes to getting the neutered or vaccinated or even adopted. Many of them also arrange for foster care homes till the little being has found a permanent new home.

Networking of such groups can be useful to the animals and the groups themselves. There are new shelters and animal help associations coming up everyday. They can learn and take guidance from bigger groups and organizations. This was one of the aims of starting NOAH. Different organizations would be able to network with similar organizations that have already attained a level of success.

Hopefully in another few years, people will learn to live a bit more harmoniously with animals! But till then, let's join hands and help them out!

Don't 'UNLIKE' us!

When people hear 'social media' they are most likely to think about either updating their Facebook status, or tweeting or posting something to their Google Buzz or Google Plus. Professionals may think about LinkedIn or BraveNewTalent. But what do you use it for?

Most people use social networking sites to stay connected to the rest of the world. This is done by staying connected to friends and family, as well as connecting to groups/pages/lists that are of personal interest to people.

This becomes problematic at times. People may want to help out or get updates, but how many of you really want those updates to be the only thing on your wall? When visiting Facebook, if you find too many updates from a page, what do you do?

Most people simply 'UNLIKE' the page or maybe just Hide the page. But that means you get disconnected from that page.

So what is the solution then?

It is the responsibility of the page to post content in moderation. NOAH is an attempt at using social network to connect people who are working for or with animals/birds together. But I do not want people to start blocking our posts, that is why I ensure that I do not spam you with posts 24/7! I understand that you need space on your page for posts from friends and family.

I would however, encourage followers to upload and share images and videos that are related to animals on our page. There may be someone visiting the page who might be able to make good use of the post.

Tips and Tricks to Spreading the Word!

Most people find it very annoying to share everything they like on Facebook. This might also bug your friends and they might not even read what you have posted (even if it is really good)!

So what is the solution to sharing things, but not having to clog the feed of your friend's with just that?

It is actually something that is quite simple. People know that Facebook has a 'LIKE' button. Although it might be meant to simply show that you like the post, it proves to be one of the best solutions for the problem at hand.

When you hit the 'Like' button, the post gets shared to all your friends! HOW?

Have you noticed that you can see the posts, links, pictures, etc. that your friends have liked? Similarly, your friends see things that you like.

People might wonder, how is this any different from sharing. There are quite a few. Firstly, it is a whole lot faster because there is no pop-up and confirmation window that comes when you click the button. So when you read a post that you like on our page, just click like, and your friends will have a choice of reading it too.

The second advantage of using the like button to spread the word is, the posts saying that you like something is actually much smaller than when you share it. This may not affect you, but your friends will thank you for not spamming their news feed with just your 'shares'!

So does this mean we are discouraging you to share things?

Absolutely not! Sharing is good! In fact, when you know that a lot of people might like the post you should share it. Reason--There are a lot more details of the post when you share it. So say you find details of some kittens or pups for adoption on our page, if you share it, people will immediately get details about it.

So then when should people use the 'Like' button?

Say there are adoptions in a country where you don't know anyone. Hit the like button. Your friends can see it, and if they know someone from that particular place, then they can share it! On the other hand, if you see some post relevant to people in your list, share it!

So those were some tips on how to spread the word fast using Facebook! More tips and tricks tomorrow (for Twitter and Google)

Breaking the Language Barrier

When networking, one has to remember that not all of us speak and understand the same language. Since NOAH is creating a global network, it is important that we overcome this problem. There is no use of a person posting a problem and no-one else understanding the language in which it is posted! Likewise, it is a waste if a person posts a reply in a language that others don't understand.

So does this then mean that we do not post if it is not in English?

No! POST as much as you want in whatever language you want... we will translate it and add it as a comment under the post. Simple. People can then read it in English and reply.

So what happens when people understand neither the language used nor English?

When you do not understand a language, you can simply go to Google Translate and get the translation. The reason we have chosen English as a central translation is because firstly it is the most widely spoken/understood language. Secondly, it gives you the freedom to share it on your wall or re-tweet it, without wondering whether others in your list will understand it or not.

But what if people cannot understand how to use Google translate?

It is not very difficult to understand Google translate. All you have to do is paste the post on the left box on the screen and then choose your language (in the second language box which says 'to:'). the translated post will appear on the right side.

Let us make sure that language does not become a hindrance in our path! We will create a network powerful enough to reach people world over!

Social media for a social cause

The world as we know it is changing every minute. Social networks like Twitter and Facebook keep us connected to one another regardless of where we are. Off late, social networking for business or personal needs is widely done by one and all...

So what does this mean for people trying to make the world a better place? Simple... Use the power of social media to help animals world over...

How does it work?

On the same principle the rest of social networking works... The six degrees of separation. The main idea behind the concept is that any one person can be connected to the whole world through 6 degrees of separation! So in short by networking you are connected to the whole world!

Ok so now how can you help animals by networking?

When you network, you connect with some people who are connected to others. So when you share information, people in your network can help you spread the word by re-sharing it with others in their network. There maybe a friend's friend's friend who may be able to help you.

What kind of help can you get through global networking?

Firstly you can help others through your own personal experience. There may be a problem being faced by a person in a country on the other side of the globe, but since you have a common platform, you could guide them with suggestions to solve the problem.

You can also get the message out to a larger audience. Since the chain is long, you just might save a dog from being put to sleep simply because you shared information about the dog's adoption with people in your network!

So what are you waiting for? Join us on Facebook and Twitter!

Just a little bit about the Network of Animal Helpers (NOAH)

The Network of Animal Helpers is intended to be a global community where one and all can seek help regarding problems faced by their pets or just any animal in need of help.

They say that you can learn from another's mistakes!

There could be someone in another part of the world, (whom you don't know), who just might be able to help an animal you know!

Everyone, including NGOs can learn from one another, share ideas and suggestions, so that on the whole, it is the animals who benefit, regardless of how near or far they are from you in person.

So let's create a global network and help those in need.