Find a unit.

The path

1. Become a PFA member, as a Life Member or a Working Member.
2. Make the board: a minimum of six members who will run the unit, one of them the member in charge. Their forms and fees go to the head office with names, ages, addresses, phone numbers and professions.
3. Send the completed application form to the head office with a covering letter saying you wish to make a PFA unit.
4. On board approval from Smt. Maneka Gandhi, the unit is authorised to open a bank account and print letterheads, and keeps further membership money in its own PFA account.
5. Name the bank and the two board members who will jointly operate the account. Some banks ask for the PFA trust deed; it is sent when needed.
6. Every month, send the new members list, so the head office can issue their ID cards, and a report of the month's work. Once the unit's work is established, it can apply for independent registration. The unit that does the most in a year is named the best PFA unit in the country, with a cash prize.

The first month

• Call a meeting of members and everyone in the area interested in animal welfare, and choose a core team.
• Pick one major campaign; whatever it is, the immediate rescue of animals comes first.
• Bring a vet into the group, for treatment, first aid camps, and teaching others.
• Find the place where rescued animals will be housed, fed, vaccinated and adopted out. Look for land that can be donated or allotted for a shelter, and have it registered in PFA's name.
• Put a copy of the animal laws in every member's pocket, with their ID card, before they walk into a police station.