A SPECIAL THANK YOU…
Reiwa - ready for change
IN JUNE THIS YEAR, WE MADE A SPECIAL PLEA TO OUR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS TO HELP ARK GET THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD. WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR YOUR AMAZING RESPONSE.
With your help, we successfully completed a crowdfunding campaign to provide medical necessities for our animals, many of whom are elderly, and achieved 50% more than our original goal. Your support for the neglected Akita abandoned at our Nose shelter has been overwhelming. We still have a difficult time ahead, but are delighted to say that we plan to continue to give our animals with the care they need. 150 animals in our Nose shelter and a further 40 in Sasayama currently await a forever home and family. ARK is moving forward to realize our dream: a better world for animals with a smaller shelter and greater emphasis on educating the next generation.
ELIZABETH OLIVER LAID THE FOUNDATIONS FOR RAPID ADVANCEMENTS IN ANIMAL WELFARE. PLEASE HELP US CARRY ON HER WORK.
A MESSAGE FROM ELIZABETH OLIVER
ARK is now approaching its 30th anniversary year. Over the years we have rescued and placed in loving families, thousands of cats and dogs, as well as other animals including: silver foxes, raccoons (tanuki), rabbits, geese, chicken, goats, pigs, guinea pigs, a chinchilla and a pony. Our rescues have included large numbers from homeless people, bankrupt breeders, balcony breeders, local authorities and hoarders. Others have come from families facing bankruptcy, loss of job, divorce, domestic violence, or old people being hospitalized, entering old peoples’ homes or sadly dying. Even some from the police, where the owner has been arrested. On top of this usual intake, we have experienced two major earthquakes: the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake where in one year we took in 600 animals, and the 2011 Great Eastern earthquake in Tohoku where so many people and animals died in the tsunami, when we took in around 200 animals.
We have tried to keep a balance in terms of how many animals we can care for at any one time; space, number of staff and volunteers and of course money. We are indebted to everyone over the years who has given us such wonderful donations of support. Each and every one of our animals has received the best medical care we can provide, including special treatment and surgery, vaccinations, and other important things like micro-chipping and vaccinations.
Although animal welfare in Japan, still has a long way to go, I feel that the Japanese people, especially the younger generation will be able to carry the baton to the next level. Although my physical role in the organisation has diminished, ( I’m no longer able to climb mountains and swim rivers in order to rescue animals), and I am now retiring into a more advisory role, my interest and love of ARK, its people and animals, will continue. Please help us carry the torch in the years ahead,
Thank you
Elizabeth Oliver
