Where Your Dollar Goes
A number of wildlife and animal welfare charities and NGO's claim to be helping the dancing bears of India—we wish to confirm the facts.
Four international charities, working closely with the Indian Government, initiated the rescue and rehabilitation of the Dancing Bears of India: Wildlife SOS (India), Free the Bears Fund (Australia), International Animal Rescue (UK) and One Voice Association (France).
The first dancing bear was rescued on Xmas Eve 2002 and rehabilitated in the Agra Bear Sanctuary run in collaboration with the U.P.Forest Department. Over 550 bears have since been rescued and their owners resettled in alternative livelihoods.
A anti-poaching unit was also established to stop bear cub poaching in India's forests. Hundreds of cubs were saved from a fate worse than death and poachers were jailed.
Four sanctuaries have been established in collaboration with the State Governments in Agra, Bhopal, Bangalore and West Bengal where the partnership (listed above) currently helps provide lifelong care for all the rescued former dancing bears.
We are committed to maintaining international standards of veterinary care for these animals for as long as they live. And, reformed Kalandars are employed as informers and keepers.
Before donating to any charity claiming to be helping the dancing bears of India, we strongly urge you to ask these questions and assure yourself that the money reaches the bears:
- How many dancing bears has the charity actually rescued?
- Where are the bears housed and can they show you these bears if you visited them?
- Exactly how many Kalandar families have they helped to begin alternative sustainable livelihoods?
- Where are these families now?
You should be wary if the charity asking you for your donation is unable to take you to their sanctuary and show you their rescued bears.
In the current financial climate, every cent is precious and we want donors to be assured their money is being spent where they intend it to go.
A donation to the four charities (links listed below) guarantees that 100% of your money is sent to our field projects in support of the rescue and caring of bears in our sanctuaries.
We are close to removing the last bears from the streets of India—thank you for your support.
Wildlife SOS click here for details.
Free The Bears Inc click here for details.
International Animal Rescue click here for details.
One Voice click here for details.
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