The ultimate goal of philanthropy is to promote peaceful coexistence and reduce conflicts | pidancare
by pidan
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In our view, animal welfare is not merely a one-time action, but rather a sustainable, replicable, and publicly engaging self-cycling process that creates a dynamic equilibrium for coexistence among different species. It should continuously evolve and adjust through practical implementation to achieve optimal outcomes.
We aim to explore such a charitable process that allows stray cats, other animals, plants, cat lovers, and non-cat enthusiasts to coexist without interference, enabling them to live in a scientifically safe manner.
We also hope that one day, every person who feeds stray cats will recognize the importance of spaying and neutering.
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As part of pidan's pidan Cares charity movement, we pledge to donate $0.022 from each product's sale to our affiliated charities. We are excited to provide monetary support and supplies to the #pidanCares rescue shelters and charitable organizations who share our passion in providing medical care and housing to abandoned cats around the world.
Over the course of more than a year of implementing the pidan Care project, pidan has donated a total of $138k in cash, assisting over 120 individuals or organizations involved in rescue efforts. Through this experience, we have gained a deeper understanding of what "charity" truly means. We believe that reducing conflicts is perhaps the most effective way to take care of small animals. This perspective may differ from the views of many others, and we would like to take this opportunity to share our thoughts.
Our Actions
When pidan Care first initiated its operations, our objective was to deliver continuous assistance to animals in need. We firmly believed that philanthropy should prioritize emergency relief and provide aid to those who express their hardships.
After having direct contact with rescue shelters, we were deeply impacted by the challenges and constraints faced by both the animals and the rescuers. At this stage, our primary focus for assistance shifted towards the rescue shelters.
However, instead of directly providing our own brand of food and litter, which is a more common approach for brands, we prioritized finding ways to offer better assistance. We encourage our partners to use our funds more efficiently, allowing them to purchase cost-effective food and litter with lower transportation costs.
For instance, in 2021, when Henan, China was hit by severe floods, pidan Care promptly took action. As we closely monitored the progress of the disaster relief efforts, we recognized that, apart from the challenge of collecting supplies, the transportation difficulties and the shortage of manpower to address immediate needs were more urgent concerns.
Consequently, we decided to provide immediate emergency funds to the affected parties, enabling them to access necessary resources without delay. We also attended to needs that went beyond basic necessities. For example, recognizing the detrimental effects of animals sleeping directly on damp ground due to the flooding, we procured dog beds and moisture-proof mats to mitigate this issue. Additionally, pidan Care extended financial support to bases requiring post-disaster reconstruction.
After a period of implementation, pidan Care realized that the scope of problems we could directly solve was quite limited.
Due to the current low adoption demand and efficiency in society, the number of animals in rescue shelters continues to increase rather than decrease. The needs of these shelters mainly revolve around basic survival requirements such as food and medical expenses. Despite pidan Care's budget not being insignificant, in practical terms, the funds may only cover the annual food expenses for a few hundred animals. Providing assistance solely in this manner does not bring about significant changes to the overall survival situation of the shelters.
Simultaneously, we have also started to feel puzzled. If these sheltered animals are not even getting enough food and are confined to cramped spaces throughout their lives, is this truly a good way for them to live?
These realizations and concerns have prompted us to reevaluate our approach and seek more effective ways to make a meaningful impact on the lives of these animals.
Our thoughts
With these questions in mind, we began to contemplate issues closer to the root cause. We consulted with philanthropic partners in the field, and during this process, everyone emphasized the importance of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) for stray cats.
TNR is a humane approach to managing stray cat populations. It involves trapping stray cats, having them spayed or neutered to prevent further breeding, and then returning them to their original habitat. This method helps stabilize and reduce the stray cat population over time, while also improving their overall health and reducing conflicts with humans.
Although TNR is widely recognized by philanthropic organizations, it is not well-known among the general public or even among pet lovers in China.
In the past, like many others, we believed that feeding stray cats was a form of charity. However, "feeding without neutering" is actually an irresponsible act of "kindness" that focuses only on the immediate satisfaction and fails to address the root issue. Cats are highly reproductive animals, and feeding them without proper population control increases the chances of uncontrolled breeding, resulting in more generations of stray cats. When the stray cat population spirals out of control, it not only poses more problems for the community but also threatens the fate of the cat population itself.
It is an undeniable fact that not everyone loves stray cats. Some people are concerned about the spread of diseases by stray animals, others oppose the environmental issues caused by indiscriminate feeding, and some are averse to the predatory nature of cats towards other species. Additionally, there are those who experience various issues such as scratches, noise, and conflicts with cats. As a result, conflicts and tensions between people arise due to differing views on this matter.
Master Zhixiang from Baoren Temple mentions that “when it comes to stray cats, most residents in a community remain neutral in their attitude. At this stage, opponents of stray cats are unlikely to take extreme actions. However, when the cat population becomes uncontrollable and exceeds the tolerance of most people, those who were previously neutral may take a stand against them. In such circumstances, cat lovers like us become a minority, and we end up losing the battle.”
From this, we realized that the protection of stray animals goes beyond simply caring for the well-being of this particular group. It also involves considering the environment and the sentiments of the general public to establish a sustainable coexistence.
To achieve long-term coexistence, it is important to address the concerns and perspectives of those who are neutral or opposed to stray cats. This requires efforts to promote responsible practices, such as TNR, to control the population, mitigate environmental impact, and minimize potential conflicts between cats and humans. By fostering a harmonious balance between animal welfare, the environment, and public sentiment, we can create a space for the long-term coexistence of all.
Our next step
pidan Care is committed to doing more in the field of stray cat neutering.
Starting from our city of Shanghai, we will extend our efforts to communities, campuses, public green spaces, and rescue shelters to implement TNR initiatives. Through various means, we will promote and educate the public about the concept of TNR, and regularly share updates on our actions.
In addition to directly addressing the issue at hand, we aspire to develop practical, replicable, and sustainable execution plans that can serve as a guidebook. This will allow more brands and interested individuals to participate in this cause.
Therefore, we are seeking like-minded partners for collaboration, including but not limited to researchers in the TNR field, organizations focused on promoting the TNR concept, and institutions in Shanghai dedicated to TNR implementation. Furthermore, local authorities responsible for stray cat management who recognize the value of TNR and have specific needs in their areas are also encouraged to reach out to us with their requirements.
In our perspective, animal welfare is not just a one-time action, but rather a sustainable, replicable, and inclusive cycle that allows public participation. We hope that one day, every person who feeds stray cats will understand the importance of neutering. Neutering is an essential aspect of responsible cat care, as it helps control the population of stray cats and prevent the challenges associated with uncontrolled breeding.
Through continuous exploration and implementation of such a comprehensive approach, we aspire to create a sustainable model of animal welfare that benefits not only the animals but also the environment and the community as a whole.