'Dogs Trust' - immoral to sponsor this charity?
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
Oxford, England
July 20, 2008 11:36am CST
Recently, I was very tactfully 'told off' by a charity volunteer standing in the entrance to a famous supermarket chain.
They approached me with their tin, asking for a donation; but when I said that I spend quite a lot of money on the Dogs Trust, their reply made me go home feeling really mean and quilty.
The volunteer said that there are people dying of starvation and AIDS, and they inferred that my priorities should lie with these charities and not dogs.
I have to say that I can see their point to a degree.
What do you think? Am I lacking Altruism? Should I, and others, pay out more money by donating to other charities, or split the ammount between?
Should street collectors be less intrusive?
Please do not misunderstand my comments - I think ALL charity volunteers are angels, but I wonder if they sometimes do it wrongly.
4 responses
@cassidy22 (2974)
• United States
20 Jul 08
First - this person was poorly trained. You are not going to end up giving more money because this person made you feel guilty. That was a wrong approach, and she gained nothing from it.
Secondly, charities ARE by choice, and you are allowed to give to what matters to you most. I give a LOT of money and time to pet causes. It's what I believe in, and I can help them, and help a lot of them. I also give to other charities, but no one has a right to tell me where to spend my charity dollars.
Don't be made to feel guilty. My mother gives me the same load, "why do you help dogs when you could be helping babies!!" Well, often dogs are in their position because of PEOPLE who abused them, or abandoned them and they can't help themselves. I will still give my time and money to help pets.
2 people like this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Hi Gran,
Those people were way out of line. It's called charity for a reason. Their approach was more like bullying than acting charitable. First of all, give from your heart not from an imposed guilt. You are doing the right thing just by giving, no matter who you give to or how much. never let others dictate to your kindness.
Leenie
1 person likes this
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
20 Jul 08
Bless you for your thoughts Leenie,
This may sound wicked of me, but, humans have the intelligence and the means to put things right, or to refrain from cruelty and mistreatment to each other - globally. Its only the politicians who seize our money and the right to channel where it gets spent, that deprives the world of prosperity and happiness.
But an animal, particularly domestic ones - what chance have they got in convincing their owner not to keep beating or neglecting them?
That is my motive for supporting my charity.
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
20 Jul 08
Thanks Leenie,
You convey to me that you are such a lovely lady. Thank you for your input and kindness.
Did you read Cassidy's heartbreaking account with her dog, over the last couple of days? It made me cry a little - and I'm a bloke!
If not .. look in "dogs" and "cassidy" - she has touched so many people with her beautiful softness and love for her dog.
I have to get some sleep now (England), but you have made my evening a pleasure and I look forward to the next time that we can share our thoughts.
Bye for now,
GTG
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Gran
I totally agree with you. We as human beings are responsible for what happens to the animals we have chosen to make pets of. They learn to rely on us for food and love and shelter. Unfortunately I don't have the money to give to charities but I will sometimes give my last buck or two to help beloved pets. I'm just grateful for people like you. I have a mini Dachshund whom I adore. If I could I'd have more and even cats. Keep up the good work.
Leenie
@Galena (9110)
•
20 Jul 08
street collectors should be less intrusive.
of course it's not immoral to support a charity that means something to you, just because another charity means more to someone else.
for example, a lot of people support charities who use the proceeds to fund animal testing. I don't support them, but lots of people do, and I don't even think that's immoral. a misguided use of funds, but not immoral for someone to give to a charity researching an illness that means a lot to them.
we all have different life experiences, different things matter to us as a result of those life experiences.
it does annoy me that there's a few huge tv fundraising telethons, and none of them are ever for animal charities.
1 person likes this
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
20 Jul 08
Thanks Galena,
Although the volunteer I described made me feel awkward and guilty, your opinion about charities that 'mean something' to the individual are comforting - thank you.
@snowy22315 (169937)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Each to his own. I think the person who told you that was out of line. You can do whatever you wish with the money you contribute to charity. I do think people are more important than animals but there is something about the plight of homeless or abused animals that cant speak for themselves that really pulls at my heartstrings.
It's your charity dollar spend it where you wish.
1 person likes this
@GranTurismoGuru (504)
• Oxford, England
20 Jul 08
Thanks Snowy,
That's made me feel a little better, especially as you say "Animals that cant speak for themselves", that is what gets to my heart.
