Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care (BARC)
www.bhutananimalrescue.org – www.pilou-animals.org
Gross Animal Happiness
The vision of the Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care -BARC- is to promote Gross Animal Happiness, which entails stimulating the progression of Bhutan’s society towards Gross National Happiness -GNH-, where animals are treated and cared for with respect, kindness and compassion, and where a healthy and happy co-existence of animals and humans is the norm. Animals are sentient beings with feelings, consciousness and integrity and deserve to be treated with respect, kindness and compassion. Our own happiness can only be achieved through the happiness of all others, including and foremost animals.
BARC alleviates immediate suffering of animals through its Animal Rescue and Care Center in Yoeselpang, just outside the capital Thimphu, which was constructed in 2012 and where its 10 staff provide high standard animal rescue, medical treatment and sheltering services. BARC also conducts advocacy, awareness and education programmes to promote the importance of animal welfare and practicing kindness and compassion in action towards animals.
How we came about
The Bhutan Animal Rescue and Care emerged over the past 18 years from a personal initiative of Marianne Guillet, a French architect and geographer turned veterinarian and Hendrik Visser, a Dutch civil engineer and sociologist. Upon their arrival in Bhutan in 1997 Marianne and Hendrik were confronted with many sick and injured dogs and cats, which they started to care for and treat at their home. They also brought back home rescued dogs, cats and monkeys from all over the country, and over time others were brought to them by their owners or by compassionate people. With an increasing attention for animal welfare in Bhutan over the years, also the number of animals in need of care kept growing and in June 2013 Marianne -also known as “Rochi Ama” or “Mother of Dogs”-, Hendrik and their close friends established the BARC as a civil society organization in Bhutan.
What we do
Animal rescue
The BARC is presently sheltering 267 dogs, 12 cats and 23 macaque monkeys at its rescue centre in Yoeselpang and 86 dogs, 5 cats, 5 mules, 3 cows, 3 goats and 2 pigs at the shelter in Paro. We have a 24/7 rescue service, pick-up animals in need and organize transport through our caring supporters. We strive to re-integrate or relocate recovered animals, but those who are handicapped or suffer from chronic diseases find a warm permanent welcome at our shelters.
Medical care
We provide medical treatment including for skin infections, wounds, orthopedic surgery, prosthetics, physiotherapy, cesarean, cancer/tumors, infectious diseases, gastroenteritis and specialized treatments. We have an Intensive Care Unit with quarantine and a clinic with operation theatre and post-care facility.
Sterilization
To support a small and healthy stray animal population, we also conduct weekly sterilization campaigns with DHPPI-L vaccinations. Our programme is building upon a network caring citizens who bring stray dogs from their neighborhood or assist us in catching them; which makes release of sterilized dogs also successful.
We listen
Many people who visit us are interested to know more about animal care as well as how to genuinely practice Buddhism through compassion in action. This often results in a lively engagement with mutual reflection and learning; and indeed an empowerment for doing good.
How you can help
The BARC as a non-profit organization, depends entirely on volunteers and donations to operate. With your help and co-operation, we can continue to provide animal rescue and care services to the numerous stray animals and wildlife in need in Bhutan. We aim to keep our overhead costs low and since all operational expenses are provided for by our founders Marianne Guillet and Hendrik Visser, we can assure you that all your donations are directly and 100% helping animals in need.
There are many ways you can help, be it your time as a volunteer, a financial contribution or by bringing us -old- blankets, clothes, buckets, biscuits, milk, rice or any of the other items of use to us. You can also adopt or sponsor an animal and become a member of the BARC. But most of all you can help by being kind and generous to the animals around you and to inform us on any animal in need!
www.bhutananimalrescue.org – www.pilou-animals.org
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