Borneo
In 2018, Wild at Heart Foundation were made aware of the growing number of strays on Borneo and the surrounding islands. When we were contacted by IAPWA (International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals), we learned that the number of dogs lacking sufficient food, care or shelter in Kota Kinabalu alone exceeded 10,000. To make matters worse, in a culture where rescue and adoption is rarely a viable solution, the stray population is all too often managed by inhumane methods of destruction.
At Wild at Heart Foundation, we recognise the goal and processes that IAPWA share; to combat the problem through compassion and education. In projects such as this, we look for means to getting to the root of the issue, ensuring that our funding contributions are allocated to those initiatives that can make the greatest impact. We were therefore delighted to provide support for a monthly sterilisation clinic, with the goal of educating owners and children alongside our efforts to reduce the growing rate of uncontrolled breeding.
During our partnership with IAPWA, we sterilised over 2,400 dogs in Borneo, preventing the birth of thousands of unwanted puppies. We also supported an education programme running alongside the monthly sterilisation clinics, allowing local children to engage with the mission.
We have educated 1,750 children to date!
We are proud to have worked alongside such a pioneering organisation, and look forward to working together in the future.
IAPWA
IAPWA is a UK registered animal welfare charity dedicated to creating a better future for animals in need. In 2009, IAPWA made it their mission to change the future for dogs in Kota Kinabalu and, following four years of negotiations, they were awarded management of the city dog pound to run a humane programme to replace the previous methods. This was a huge success for the stray dogs and an important step forward to improve their lives.
In November 2015, IAPWA received the incredible news that, as a direct result of negotiations held by IAPWA and other NGO’s in Borneo, it would henceforth be prohibited for cats and dogs to be used for human consumption. Furthermore, animal fighting was declared illegal, and there are now increased penalties for animal cruelty.
Organisations like IAPWA prove that passion and hard work can change more than just a few lives; their advocacy and determination to instil lasting change has led to the development of a safer, more ethical legal framework that benefits both the local community and the animals within it.
If a regular donation towards a specific project is set up and we subsequently cease to provide support in the future, any recurring donations will be allocated to the areas of our other work requiring the most support.