Dear friends, board members, volunteers, mates and animal lovers,
I hate to tell you that my family and I will be leaving Kuwait for good at the end of July. My contract was not renewed or might be renewed in 4 or 5 months, maybe not. Due to the fact that we have 2 girls going to a private school, living in a beautiful house with 7 dogs and 1 salary only we will be not able to afford living in Kuwait under the same conditions.
So my husband and I made the hard decision to start a new chapter of our life in Georgia, USA. We were struggling hard to come to this conclusion and the biggest concern I had was to leave PAWS.
The last 3 years as a chair person have been hard, exhausting, full of tears and disappointments, fear for all our rescues and largely the fear of losing the whole shelter through all the crazy circumstances when it comes to animal welfare in Kuwait.
But the biggest goal was to find a safe place for our shelter and we found it. The move is done, there is more work to do but PAWS can start a new chapter and continue the valuable work for Kuwait and the animals in need.
I am thankful for the experience, thankful to meet so many good people, who had the same passion for animals.
I shared so many sad stories, shared so much sorrow, but shared also so much joy and happiness and success. I will never forget the time with PAWS, these times has influenced my life a lot and I can take all these memories with me, PAWS will stay in my heart for the rest of my life and many of you as well.
10 years ago, when i came to Kuwait, the situation for animals was very bad, nobody took the responsibility to fight for the ones without a voice to speak.
Times have fortunately changed, awareness and education have shown the first results, thousands of animals have been rescued, treated and rehomed. Schools are willing to invite PAWS and other organisation to spread the news of animal welfare and ethical responsibilities.
Kuwait will need more time, but through PAWS and YOU treatment of animals will be a common topic, has to be an important topic to improve the reputation for a responsible society, which is uniting so many different people from all countries of the world. Love for animals and humans makes no difference from where You are coming, what skin color you have and what you might make a month in salary. The spirit of making a difference, of unconditional love and passion unites us all.
But PAWS is not depending on a single person, PAWS is NOT Manu Tague, PAWS is a group of people who all have the same goal; saving lives, improving the life situation for animals in need and helping Kuwait to reach an acceptable standard of animal welfare.
Our team will take over all my former responsibilities and a new chairperson will be chosen soon. PAWS must continue and we will!
Don’t give up your support and your passion to stand up for animal rights, to stand up for PAWS.
Although I will be in the wilderness of Georgia, I will be with you through FB and mail, it will be heartbreaking for me to be abroad, but life sometimes closes doors but will always open others. I will never close the door to PAWS completely, because it was part of my life for many years.
My special thanks goes to Duminda, our shelter Manager, he became a true friend, a most reliable mate and his work and passion for animals inspired me through all these years.
I also need to thank our staff, they worked so hard and tireless especially through the last 3 years, and it’s hard to find people like them at every corner.
I also want to thank my family who was caring this burden with me, who accepted all the time I spent in the shelter, instead of being a mommy and a wife, the time I spent for rescues and with broken, abused animals in our house, who helped as much as they were able to.
My deepest respect goes to all the donators, supporters and friends, i can’t name them all, but you are all in my prayers, GOD bless you all.
I love you all and please forgive me that I have to leave.
Manu Tague, Chair person PAWS