We are always happy to know that our participants used what they learned to make their organisations better. Olga from Zooshans in Belarus was happy to implement their newly gained knowledge to improve livelihood of shelter animals.
However this was not the first time Zooshans appeared in Plymouth. In much smaller numbers just one participant they visited us for one week for Job Shadowing project. They visited us for second time in December to participate in Active citizenship and Animal welfare training. In Belarus Zooshans is classified as informal group. Unfortunately, there are some problems associated with their legal status as an ‘informal group’. Many companies, especially experienced ones, care about quality of their projects and will not accept informal groups as a partner, as they will doubt if the can perform their duties on the top quality level.
Olga from Zooshans shaking hands with our guest, trainer David from RSPCA. |
Zooshans has been formed in 2012 with
the aim to rescue pet animals, treat and re-home them. The group is
funded by donations and run by unpaid volunteers only. The group
consists of 25 volunteers and unpaid staff, who started to shelter
stray animals at their homes and advertise them for adoption. There is
no support from local authority, and no legislation to protect stray
animals. They have two main areas of work: helping stray animals by sheltering or feeding them and taking part in rescue activities to help animals which have been trapped, injured or in risk. We pay attention to education of young people within our community on animal welfare, encouraging them to volunteer locally and internationally, to tackle local problems and be active members of their community. They carry out the activities in local schools, youth centres, organise events and lectures. The vision is that through non-formal and informal education of young people we can prevent cruelty towards animals and help our community to be more responsible members of society.
Zooshans does a lot on street pet adoption projects. The group workers are volunteers and their work in their free time. Here are some photos from their latest adoption fair.
Zooshans does a lot on street pet adoption projects. The group workers are volunteers and their work in their free time. Here are some photos from their latest adoption fair.