Rishon Ohevet Chayot is a non-profit organization which was founded in 2002 with the aim of improving animal awareness in the city of Rishon L’Zion (the third largest city in Israel).

 

From the onset the Organization chose to operate in collaboration with the local authorities as well as with the municipal veterinary services in order to save the lives of stray cats and dogs which are kept at the municipal pound.

 

The Organization set itself 4 objectives:

 

1. To find homes for as many stray cats and dogs as possible in order to avoid euthanasia. (Until  2002 all strays were euthanized after a period of 10 days).

 

2. To encourage neutering of household pets in Rishon L’Zion and neutering of stray cats countrywide.

 

3. To run educational programs in the local schools with animal welfare as the main topic and in this way hopefully to prevent cruelty to animals.

 

4. To operate an emergency ambulance service to save and help animals.

 

Three of the four objectives were achieved but due to lack of funds the fourth objective has not yet been attained.  In the meantime the Organization uses the local municipal emergency services.

 

Rishon Ohevet Chayot works in close cooperation with the local municipality and over the years this relationship has greatly improved. The emergency services, the inspectors and the local veterinary services now have one aim and that is the welfare of the animals.

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Heads of Departments are doing everything possible to help the Organization attain its objectives.

 

Rishon L’Zion leads the rest of the country in animal welfare. It serves as a role model to other cities where volunteers have started similar non-profit organizations.

 

The management of the Organization is active in the umbrella organization “Noah” especially in the areas of laws and cooperation between the National Veterinary Services and the Environmental Quality Association.

 

When Rishon Ohevet Chayot began its activities it gladly accepted any help offered.  Constant assistance is given by the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and by private veterinarians who also offer their services.

 

Rishon Ohevet Chayot has a very devoted group of volunteers who give a great deal of their time.  In spite of this, the Organization is still badly in need of more help from volunteers as well as monetary assistance in order to do an even better job.