I refer to the article by Kevin Sinclair (Sunday Morning Post, March 11) expressing his concerns over the proliferation of overseas 'charitable' institutions fundraising in Hong Kong for work done outside the SAR. His article made specific reference to the Humane Society of Hong Kong and its fundraising in Hong Kong, for supposed animal welfare work in the mainland. We at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have and always will be grateful for the support of the community for our endeavours. But being an animal welfare charity, for our funding we are more reliant on our members, a few devoted corporations and some very generous individual philanthropists, rather than the community as a whole. For instance, the SPCA has been refused membership of the Community Chest as its work is deemed not to be humane, and as such, we are not eligible for its funding. The Asian economic crisis has seen a great reduction in charitable donations, to the extent that the SPCA is having to look at alternate means to generate much-needed funds to cover its operational costs. Although, there are a large number of commendable animal welfare organisations outside Hong Kong, the SPCA suggests that members of the Hong Kong community commit to animal welfare charities working directly in Hong Kong and the mainland. CHRIS HANSELMAN Executive Director SPCA Hong Kong
