Dollars for Delilah’s misguided

I was very surprised and disheartened to read that there was an effort being made in an Indiana University class to raise money for Delilah’s pet shop.

It is a fact that Delilah’s is a business, which is for profit, and does not work in any way with or for a non-profit. It is also a fact that the store had insurance, which covers any cost of loss during a fire.

So, while I do understand that it is rough for anyone to lose a business, it is simply irresponsible to ask the community to “donate” money to help them.

This “organization,” as it’s called in the IDS article, Dollars for Delilah’s, is preying on the good hearts of community members who were greatly saddened to read of the lost lives of the animals in the store during the fire.

They are being misguided to believe that the store is either a non-profit venture, working with non-profit ventures, or didn’t have insurance to cover its losses by being asked to “donate” to the “cause.” Struggling business ventures do not ask for donations, they ask for investors. Only non-profits ask for donations.

Dollars for Delilah’s is not only misguiding the public, but it is taking money away from needy non-profits working to do real good work in the community during these extremely difficult economic times during the holidays when everyone’s money is extra tight. It’s just downright irresponsible.

Also, I’m very saddened by the fact that Delilah’s has – and has indicated that they will continue to – sell dogs and cats when there are many, many homeless animals in the community that would make wonderful pets.

Dollars for Delilah’s is not only being irresponsible by misguiding the community to “donate” to a for-profit business and taking money from under served real non-profits in the community, but also by supporting a venture that continues to ignore the pressing issue of homeless animals, which is just basic animal welfare.

I really hope that this “organization” will analyze its actions, use its decision making skills to reach the best-informed decision and get their team together to manage this project in a way to benefit the community. Because, after all, that’s what the class is all about, right?

Amanda West
IU senior