If you really care for the animals, do not do it!!
In the world of animal welfare, our collective mission is to care for and support #strays in need. We work tirelessly to #feed #rescue, and rehabilitate #streetanimals. However, there’s a growing issue that disrupts this important work and that is stealing each others employees or assistants aka “employee poaching”.
Employee Poaching: Disruptive and Detrimental
Poaching is equivalent to stealing. When organizations or individuals take away staff from another, without following ethical practices like notice periods, they are not just taking away a person, they are disrupting the system that supports the welfare of animals.
It is important to understand that these staff members are not just workers; they are caregivers, organizers, and the backbone of the operations that keep animals safe and healthy. When a trained assistant or key staff member is poached suddenly, the animals are the ones who suffer.
Atleast a call or a forewarning
The animal welfare community is a small community. Most organizations or volunteers involved in animal welfare know each other and perhaps even have worked together. If a person from a known organization wants to join you, it would be desired protocol to give a head-up to the soon to be affected organization or volunteer of the possible move. It is just professional etiquette to do so.
Notice Periods and Professional Ethics Matter
If someone chooses to leave one organization to join another, that’s entirely their right. However, respecting the concept of a notice period is crucial. Notice periods exist to ensure that the transition is smooth, responsibilities are handed over properly, and, most importantly, that animals do not suffer due to sudden disruptions. By bypassing these practices, organizations not only harm the animals but also damage relationships within the animal welfare community.
The Long-Term Consequences
Some may argue that poaching is necessary for survival in the competitive space of animal welfare, but it ultimately does more harm than good. Organizations that engage in these practices may find that this behavior comes back to bite them in the long run. They may develop a reputation for lacking ethics, making it difficult to collaborate with others or to retain their own staff. Remember, integrity and respect are the foundations for any mission-driven organization or volunteer, and without these values, the mission itself becomes compromised.
A Call for Collaboration Over Competition
Rather than competing for resources, including human resources, those involved in animal welfare should focus on collaboration.
Let’s remember that our ultimate goal is the welfare of the animals. If we keep that at the forefront, our actions and decisions should align with what’s best for them. Together, we can create a more supportive, ethical, and effective animal welfare community.
Zarir M. Karbhari is the founder of the Kunashni Foundation which is dedicated to improving the lives of community animals living on the streets of Pune, promoting responsible ownership and raising awareness about animal welfare. Click here to know more about the foundation.