Promoting new ‘Ban the Bang’ campaign

THREE years ago, a group of young women passionate about animal welfare in Guyana came together to form Tails of Hope. Most of them had only known each other on social media when they would speak out on animal cruelty and other issues. Observing the same interests and passions, the women joined forces and created the organisation which now has more than 15,000 followers strong on social media.

Tails of Hope, said to be driven by progressive ideas, bold actions, and a strong foundation of support for all animals, will officially turn three on Friday (November 19), and is steaming ahead with a brand new campaign called “Ban the Bang.”

“In light of the recent indiscriminate and illegal use of fireworks and firecrackers to celebrate the auspicious festival of Diwali, our members and supporters have launched this campaign,” Vice-president Melissa Ramdeen told Pepperpot Magazine.

Together with the other founders of the organisation – Shari Rodrigues Dasilva, Nikki Ramnarace, Tammy Quail, Tricia Azaire, Alana Singh, and Nicole Joy Khadaroo – Ramdeen said the team is currently in the gathering phase of data to support the detrimental use of explosives not only to animals, but to the environment, senior citizens, and babies.

“Many persons would have [sic] lost their beloved pets, either by death or escape from home,” Ramdeen shared, adding, “Animals, with their more advanced hearing were thrown into a state of frenzy. Dogs were fleeing their homes by any means, getting stuck on fences, damaging their paws, ripping their mouths trying to bite through their kennels. Birds left their nests and would never return; some died of a heart attack. Natural habitat formation was disrupted along with migration patterns. Large animals ended up on our roadways since loud unexpected noises trigger their flight mode.”

The ‘Ban the Bang’ awareness campaign will therefore seek to prompt the enforcement of the laws of Guyana as it relates to importation, sale, possession and use of pyrotechnics.
Apart from this campaign, the team has also been conducting kindness talks in schools to sensitise children early on the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect.

“Our vision focuses on community involvement. We involve the community through education and public awareness on the importance of respecting all animals. We also involve as many persons as possible in ‘spay and neuter ‘campaigns, and we encourage adoption of animals (rather than purchasing),” Ramdeen explained.

Tails of Hope focuses mainly on housing conditions and abuse, inclusive of neglect and abandonment, along with the implementation of legislation. “It is our belief that our only ally to tackle animal cruelty is education. We share our experiences, hoping to spread awareness on the importance of respecting and caring for animals, instilling a sense of responsibility for all life forms.”

The organisation has also been promoting that certain animals should be left in their natural habitats. “The need to respect that animals such as birds, monkeys and other forms of wildlife be left alone in their habitat is an issue we try to highlight.”

At the moment, Tails of Hope is the only animal welfare organisation with large shelter homes. “So we have staff to pay to cook, feed, and care for the animals we took in. Our medical bills are usually a heavy sum because there are many cases where we have to cover the costs for sick or injured animals. At the moment, we conduct our vaccination drives (depending on the availability of vaccines) on a fortnightly basis.”

The organisation would also conduct Spay and Neuter Campaigns – dependent on donations; the cost for one animal depending on sex is approximately $9,000 – cost not inclusive of treatment for other conditions if needed.

Meanwhile, Ramdeen shared that after losing her dad in 2017, animal activism provided her with purpose and kept her going. “It provided me with another avenue to serve Guyana. Ms Syeada Manbodh shaped my views on animal activism versus loving animals. She encouraged me to join other animal groups, so that I could start making a difference. It is then, whilst reaching out to like-minded persons, that I met Ms. Shari
Rodrigues…Shari’s passion and kindness were contagious and added fuel to my desire that has now become one my greatest investments in life.”