Maria’s Birthday Fundraiser for Animal Lovers League

Dear friends, the past year has been challenging for all of us, but I hope to once again channel your kindness and generosity towards the less privileged who might arguably have been more affected by the pandemic and the economic uncertainty. It was hard deciding what beneficiary to choose for my birthday fundraiser this year, but I ended up with animal welfare again. I particularly worry about animal shelters, which not only need to pay rent to keep their doors open, but also pay full-time caregivers (someone has to stay after volunteers leave right?) and take care of the animals’ basic food and healthcare needs. Animals literally don’t know where else or how to seek help, and are sometimes the subject of cruel abuse when left to fend for themselves. I was so mad when there were reports of people abandoning their pets at the start of the pandemic for fears that humans could contract Covid from animals (so far it seems like animals can contract it from us but there is super low evidence to show that we can get it from them. See cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html) On the other hand, it seems like prices have gone up in pet shops post-Circuit Breaker, as others seek out animal companionship as we stay indoors more. There are the dogs bred for the pet industry, who may be lucky enough to find a loving forever home. Then there are the dogs who thought they found a forever home, but suddenly found themselves on the streets or in a shelter with no more dedicated attention and struggling to survive. Then there are those who have even more tragic stories that I can't bear to type out. For this reason, I would like to seek your help to keep these animal shelters running to continue caring for their furry residents.

Last year we raised $4640 for SOSD, and this year I'm hoping you will join me in supporting the Animal Lovers League. Registered in 2002 as a no-kill shelter, the Animal Lovers League is home to 500 animals in Sungei Tengah. A $100 donation will help sponsor a dog for a month; $50 will help sponsor a cat for a month. Proceeds will also go towards general expenses to keep their shelter’s doors open.

In support of this fundraiser, CruYoga - not even open yet! - is also generously sponsoring a yoga class at their Wisma rooftop pop-up! Even for those of us lucky to have a roof over our heads and a stable job, I'm sure we have all had our mental risk come under attack for different reasons this past year (from being lonelier than usual, burning out from work, taking care of family, stressing over future expenses etc.) I have been relying on exercise as one of the ways to check in with myself, and I hope that this yoga session will be a good mindful practice for those who need a break, or just a chance for you to try something new. Those who told me that they'd like to try the yoga class will be given a private link to Cru to register and donate through purchasing the charity class! The gym has set up all their classes in line with safe distancing measures. Please 😷 up and practice safe distancing!

For those who can’t make the yoga class or aren’t interested, I hope you will support the cause by making a donation here on GiveAsia.

100% of donations through both channels will go to the Animal Lovers League <3