DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED TO HELP DOGS & CATS IN INDONESIA

My name is Jen and I’m an animal lover. Last summer, I had the privilege of visiting Toba Animal Friends Rescue in Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Toba Animal Friends (TAF) was founded by Anita, an incredible person giving her whole life to doing all she can to save the local dogs and cats. Since founding TAF in 2019, Anita has worked 24/7 and has made it her life’s mission to care for as many dogs and cats as she can, but she needs help! Anita and her 3 employees are stretched physically, mentally and financially to the limit. But no matter how overwhelmed they are, they refuse to give up on the animals that need them.

TAF is 100% donor funded and, as you can imagine, they don’t have many donors because it’s hard to get the word out from such a small spot on the global map. Sometimes they are so short on donations her three staff members turn into “volunteers” because she doesn't have enough money to pay the employees. Anita doesn’t pay herself anything, and every penny she can find goes towards the animals.

In general, dogs and cats are not kept as companion animals in Sumatra, but there is a huge problem with stray cats & dogs on the island. There are no other Spay & Neuter services, so the problem just keeps growing. Anita spays and neuters every animal that comes into her care and since adoption is uncommon, most of these animals will live out their days at the TAF shelter. When TAF has the resources, they will go out into the community and do mobile spay and neuter.

The animal suffering Anita and her colleagues encounter is horrific. Anita and I have become very good friends and she has shared countless horrific cases of sick and injured strays as well as wonderful stories about the animals she has been able to help.

But all of this life saving effort costs money! She’s drowning in bills:

● Veterinary Clinic Bills (current Vet debt is over $3000)

● Rent for the shelter where the permanent animals reside

● TAF’s 3 Wonderful Employees

● Grocery / food bills for almost 100 animals

● Repair & upkeep of kitchen and laundry equipment

● Repair and upkeep of the Mobile Clinic & Rescue vehicle

● Utility and water bills

Anita also has a wish list to help improve the living conditions and safety of all the animals in her care but sadly these are only far off dreams:

● A Catio for the cats to experience outdoors, safely

● Secure fencing around the property so the dogs can have more room to roam

● Additional pergolas / shade structures to give the dogs protection from the hot sun

● A few more employees to spread out the workload

Anita is a miracle worker and a gift to all the animals she’s helped, but she needs help to continue caring for the animals they have rescued, and to try to help more homeless, sick and injured dogs and cats! Just think of how much it costs for our own companion animals and multiply that to almost 100 animals!

This GoFundMe is reaching out to all the compassionate animal lovers who might be able to help Anita continue to save lives! Every dollar donated will be sent directly to Toba Animal Friends. Thank you!!!

You can also follow Toba Animal Friends on Instagram and Facebook!