COCOON PROGRAM An OUT OF THE BOX ALTERNATIVE to Traditional SHELTERS. Name : Achala Pani Founder and Executive Director- Let s Live Together
WHO WE ARE?
I was 15, when I started picking up puppies off the street and dropping them off in local shelters.
I went back to the shelter often but not once did I meet the puppies.
Let s Live Together is a Charitable Trust. 9 years ago, Let s Live Together started India s first FOSTER based puppy rescue program for orphaned puppies- WITHOUT A SHELTER
ISSUE? Over population of homeless dogs in India.
CAUSE? Irresponsible owners- Unspayed pets Unsuccessful ABC programs Demand for breed dog- Unwanted native puppies
SOLUTION? The Community s set notion: A Shelter. Pick up all the animals and drop them off at the nearest shelter.
WHAT HAPPENS IN TRADITIONAL SHELTERS? Shelters become animal dump-yards Infections and Death rates are extremely high Animals loose their Freedom Healthy animals loose their immunity Young Infants do not have the immunity Dogs don t get individual attention Sick animals together, only get sicker It is an Expensive affair with minimal impact
IS A SHELTER REALLY THE SOLUTION?
AREN T ANIMALS A COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY?
WE NEED AN ALTERNATIVE!
THE ALTERNATIVE IS SIMPLY A DIFFERENT APPOACH TO THE OLD PROBLEM.
1.NOT ALL ANIMALS NEED SHELTER Sick dogs - should be treated and released back Injured dogs- should be treated and released back Healthy dogs- should be vaccinated, sterilized and released back Un-sterilized dogs - should be fixed and released back Extremely Aged - need shelter Terminally ill - need shelter Infants - need individual care.
WHAT, LET S LIVE TOGETHER DOES AS AN ORGANIZATION?
Let s Live Together focuses on changing the community s attitude towards homeless dogs. Let s Live Together s Mission is to Uplift the Image of Homeless Dogs against Breed Discrimination. Animals are the entire community s responsibility.
HOW WE DO IT?
WE BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO CARE FOR ORPHANED PUPPIES.
WE FOSTER as an alternative to TRADITIONAL SHELTERS. Our puppies are raised in foster homes till we find them their permanent homes. Program Cocoon transforms each puppy into a beautiful butterfly.
Program Cocoon- Structure Rescue Helpline Homeless Puppies reported Puppies without mothers Foster Parents Adoption
OUR PRACTICES.
Let s Live Together s Life saving practices. RESTRICT INTAKE Medical Check of all puppies on entry. Monitoring of behavior, Behavior medicine is given throughout foster period. Give out ONLY HEALTHY puppies. We do not take in more puppies, if we have a backlog of puppies.
OUR FOSTER PARENTS ARE: Single people/bachelors Housewives Students living together Families who cannot commit to a dog forever Families who are unsure of adopting a dog- ADOPTION TRIALS!!
BENEFITS OF FOSTERING: WHAT OUR FOSTER PARENTS GET: They get to love with no permanent commitment. They are trained by our team to care for puppies. Puppy care expenses are covered by the organization Integral part of Lets Live Together s Life saving mission. Access to Lets Live Together s Pet Club
BENEFITS OF FOSTERING: WHAT OUR PUPPIES GET: A Save life away from the street Individual care and attention. Medical attention A place to call home, even it s for a short period. Behavior and obedience training A good life.
BENEFITS OF FOSTERING: WHAT THE ORGANIZATION GETS: Healthy, happy socialized puppies. Cost effective model for homeless dog population management Sufficient time to find permanent homes for the puppies. Community participation and support Potential adopters
HAS IT HELPED?
2000 homeless puppies have FOUND HOMES 3 Deaths in 9 years Change in people s attitude. Increase in community participation Growing Demand for rescued puppies. Multiple rescue groups are following our foster and adoption model all over India. Shelters are now inviting us to train their staff to set up the foster model.