Press Room

Sections Below:

Basic Facts for the Media
SCAA in the Press!

Basic Facts for the Media

When was Second Chance Animal Aid established?

March 2005

Why was there the belief that an organization such as SCAA was/is needed in Shanghai?

First, concerned residents inquired into resources available through local animal rescue groups. An exhaustive search revealed only very small-scale efforts that were overwhelmed and ill prepared to expand. International organizations such as the SPCA, RSPCA, etc. have not yet established facilities in Shanghai; and like many cities in China, Shanghai is experiencing a dramatic growth in the population of dogs and cats linked to a similar growth in both the population and the wealth of its residents. Increasing demand and availability combined with minimal understanding of proper animal care and training has resulted in an alarming incidence of abandonment of these animals. Further inquiries into the expat community has found many animal lovers eager for an opportunity to make a difference through the rescue, medical care and re-homing of these distressed pets. After securing the support of several local businesses, Ms . Wolfson launched SCAA with a dual mission : to rescue animals in need and reduce the incidence of abandonment and homelessness through education.

Does SCAA help any other animals than cats and dogs?

We primarily help kittens/cats, simply because there are thousands more of them needing help in Shanghai. But we also rescue dogs. And we recently have been asked to re-home several rabbits/hares, a pot belly pig and some pet gerbils!

Who founded SCAA?

Carol A. Wolfson is an international business consultant from the United States who has been involved with children’s and animal charities in Asia throughout the 25 years she has worked in the region. She personally raised funds and built two Project Hope Schools in China during the years 1999-2001. She was on the fundraising board of the World Wildlife Fund in Hong Kong and helped create and edit their members’ magazine from 1991-2001. She has served on the Worldwide Board of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) 2002-2005 and currently raises funds for IFAW’s projects in China. Like all animal lovers in Shanghai, she is extremely concerned about the plight of homeless and mistreated companion animals and believes that through SCAA’s support of worthy existing local projects/organizations and the education of the public and young people, both the expatriate and local community can save many more of Shanghai’s domestic animals from lives of abandonment, suffering and death

Who supports SCAA?

We have individual and corporate sponsors, both local and expatriate. Local supporters tend to be enthusiastic college students and young professionals who want to practice their bi- lingual, IT and communicative skills with foreigners as they share their love for animals. Our expatriate support varies from young school children to corporate professionals. Support ranges from volunteering time, translation, hands-on work with animals, leading teams to our projects, manning adoption day and educational booths at our monthly and special events, and both financial and gifts-in-kind donations.

We are very grateful to our corporate sponsors: The Theme Pub Company (Zapata’s, O’Malley’s), PAW Veterinary C linic, AGS Fourwinds, B&Q, Moon River Diner, SH, vip-Pet, mto123.com, Dangdai Wooden Industry, LuShan Framing & Interiors, the Shanghai Daily and Jewelry by Halo Design, Xianzai.com, YPHH.com, CharityInChina.com and Newport Realty.

We continue to seek corporate sponsorship. If you know of any company that can donate funds, host an event or donate gifts-in-kind, please let us know.

Finally, we also work with other volunteer organizations such as Roots & Shoots and Hands On Shanghai.

How many volunteers/members does SCAA have?

We currently have about 850 official SCAA supporters and average 50-100 people at our monthly meetings. These monthly meetings are currently our main form of fundraising. The Theme Pub Company Restaurants – Zapata’s, O’Malley’s, and Sasha’s – sponsor our meetings by offering food and two free drinks for only RMB 30. Our cover charge is RMB 100 providing a donation towards medical care, food and supplies of RMB 70/person. We always welcome, and need, more volunteers!

What are SCAA’s accomplishments to date?

Since its inception, SCAA has provided medical care and re-homed over 320 abandoned cats and dogs. We reached our 2006 goal of 300 animals re-homed, with the anticipation of doubling this number in 2007. We have over 40 to 50 foster care parents with the goal to expand this to over 100 (thus creating the equivalent of a mobile animal rescue shelter). We have started from scratch to create a pro-active animal support organization of over 800 members and many of these become active volunteers. We carry out adoptions adoption days at O’Malley’s Restaurant twice each month. We have created a professional, bi- lingual brochure and Chinese pet care educational materials which are being distributed throughout local communities and schools as well as among the expatriate community to expand SCAA’s footprint. We have also produced a calendar for 2007 and many SCAA products sold online at mto123.com.

What ongoing activities and future plans does SCAA have?

Along with our monthly (fundraising) meetings, adoption days, education projects (with Roots & Shoots and in Shanghai’s local schools) we hope to first create more fundraising opportunities and then find more local sustainable projects to support. We need to expand our distribution of educational materials within the Shanghai general public, particularly focusing on the crucial need to spay/neuter animals along with providing adequate and compassionate animal care and respect for animals both domestic and wild. Long-term, SCAA’s organizational and operational responsibilities need to be delegated to a larger number of volunteers, both expatriate and local, to ensure that SCAA remains a viable and sustainable organization after the founder leaves Shanghai, circa 2008.

What does SCAA need to be donated?

First and foremost, cash. Without increased funding, SCAA may not be able to sustain the long-term medical care and support needed by the growing numbers of abandoned animals the organization is being asked to rescue.

The other priority on our ‘wish list’ is a full-time van to transport animals to/from medical treatment and events, as well as to transport volunteers to/from projects.

Material donations which help save SCAA funds that can be used for other necessary animal care (primarily medical care) include:

cat and dog food
cat litter
cat/dog bedding
towels
toys, scratch posts, catnip, cat grass and dog/cat treats
grooming products, medicines, Q-tips, cotton puffs, animal shampoo,

If people want to volunteer, what can they do and who should they contact?

Lead our adoption days and events (the more volunteers we have for this, the fewer times one needs to attend the events as the schedule will be fixed on a rotation basis). Keep checking our events calendar.
Provide translation and bi- lingual assistance at events with local participants.
Assist/organize fundraising events.
Distribute the SCAA brochure and educational materials throughout both the local and expatriate community.
Sell our SCAA 2007 calendar and t-shirts
Assume a leadership role with SCAA and put your own ideas to work!

Please see Contact Page for more information.