Vocal for local pets
This Independence Day animal welfare organizations are asking pet lovers to support local
If man like dog he is good man,
If dog like man he is good man.
The synopsis of Patal Lok - Amazon Prime’s most talked and liked recent web series.
Dogs were the first domesticated animals. Much before we raised kittens, chicken; before we planted rice and wheat. Prehistoric Indian rock paintings, dating about 30,000 years ago have some of the earliest representations of dogs. According to some storytellers, Mahabaratha started with a dog's story, ended with a dog. Also, one of the greatest turning points in Mahabaratha in the middle was also due to a dog (Ekalavya's episode).
India has been home to a number of indigenous breeds of dogs. During ancient times, Indian dogs were much prized around the world. Exported in large numbers (next only to the elephant where livestock exports were concerned) Indian dogs were used for hunting. Historians have recorded that Indian hounds were exported to Rome and to Egypt.
Although Indian dogs were demand abroad but at home except for some kings who preferred them for hunting, the upper and middle class shunned them. Dogs in Indian society were work animals and having them as house pets have been a recent origin.
In his book “Book of Indian Dogs” Sundararaj Theodore Baskaran emphasizes the importance of “Made in India” dogs. Even though our society has loved foreign breeds but the love for Indian dogs is a growing new trend. In fact, the ongoing pandemic has witnessed an increase in the number of people looking to adopt or foster pets.
Don’t buy a dog, adopt an Indie
Mumbai-based organization Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) has grabbed this opportunity. Partnering with production house Another Idea has created an ad-film encouraging people to adopt indie dogs instead of buying pets. Launched just before the Independence Day and growing roar for “Vocal for Local”, the organization has made the much-needed move.
According to the press note: WSD pioneered adoptions of Indies in 1995. On 14th August it will be launching a hashtag while encouraging pet owners to share pictures of themselves with their Indie dogs.
The ad campaign rings all the bells to melt your heart and adopt one of the Indie. But the nonprofit should put some effort and money behind the website. Especially when it has a big call to action for donating money. Besides, it has no mention of the ongoing campaign on the website.
Both the website and the donation page are prehistoric. Even if you have a fancy campaign, influencers working on social media, and ad money giving you views; the ultimate business of online fundraising will happen on your donation page. And with this kind of a donation page, hardly anyone will have a memorable experience.
Vocal for local pets
World For All Animal Care and Adoptions is another animal welfare organization that has joined the bandwagon of #VocalForLocalPets. Partnering with digital agency Tonic Worldwide, the campaign is aimed to end discrimination against stray animals.
According to the press note: The campaign allows pet lovers to adopt and give these local breeds all the love they deserve while being a part of their family.
The campaign that stretches patriotism to adopting local pets has built a microsite for the campaign. For some strange reason, the microsite isn’t part of the main website of the World For All and lies on the agency microsite.
And this completely misses the point of online fundraising and becomes another short term campaign idea. Besides the main website on mobile is terrifically slow and again needs a rework on how it is raising funds on the donation page.
Nonetheless, the latest campaign microsite does the job of informing and showcasing the pets for adoption. For a donation, you are taken to the payment gateway page.
“Vocal for local” is not a short term pitch but is a brand statement for those who have been proud of their local heritage. And for the rest of them, it is just a trend to be topical about it. Unlike with these two animal welfare organizations, supporting and adopting local pets have been in their DNA.
But it is disheartening to see that none of them have stretched themselves beyond the campaign mode.
Keeping my concerns at bay, this is a sound cause and great call for “Vocal for Locals”.
I have asked my Malkin if I can adopt a local cat.
She has asked me to find a new home that can adopt both of us.
Anyone?