Fundraising essential for rescuing pets
Saving homeless and abandoned animals is challenging work, and it isn’t for the faint of heart.
Rescue comes with a high rate of emotional burnout for individuals at every stage of the operation. Finding a home for a homeless pet is, of course, the best part of the process, but getting that pet adopted is a long, arduous course of action.
I find the endeavour rewarding at an emotional level because many years ago, animals saved me. I believe my obligation is to pay-it-forward, and I hope to help animals for the rest of my life.
One of the most critical components in the rescue chain of action is fundraising. It not only takes a rescue organizations time, energy and commitment to save an animal, it also takes quite a bit of money. Raising funds for any rescue is an ongoing, non-stop necessity.
I reached out to a few local rescues to ask them what their largest annual fundraisers are, and I was pleasantly surprised by their tender responses:
Misfit Manor Dog Rescue: over the last few years, it was a tie between the annual Haunted House and the Petvalue Paw Fundraiser in Bridgewater.
Goodbones Dog Rescue: Dog Expo in Dartmouth hosted by the veterinarian clinic they frequent is their largest annual fundraiser.
Animal Rescue Coalitions: Tails On The Rails yearly walk hosted by Westwood Veterinary Clinic is its largest fundraiser, and this year marks the 10th anniversary for the walk.
Marley’s Hope Dog Rescue: typically, their Craft Fair is the largest annual fundraiser.
Annual large-scale fundraisers take quite a bit of effort to organize, but fundraising must continue on an almost daily basis.
Some rescues may have a button on their website so individuals can donate via Paypal, they may have an online store you can purchase pet items from, they may hold a 72-hour or a one-week online auction, and many other original fundraising initiatives.
I think most people would be bowled-over to discover the actual annual budget for any rescue. Please understand a rescue or shelter not only covers the basic or immediate needs for a homeless pet, but they may cover extraordinary costs also.
Primary financial responsibilities may include transportation, food, initial veterinarian health check, spay or neuter, vaccinations and bedding. Extraordinary costs may consist of intricate life-saving surgeries, long-term medications, transportation to the PEI Veterinarian Hospital, even obedience or one-on-one training for the dog. If the dog comes into rescue with puppies, the cost for that dog will be astronomical.
If you are not comfortable donating funds, you can give much-needed items such as beds, bowls, collars, leashes, food, crates, cat litter or you can offer to transport homeless pets to veterinarian appointments. Any support for local rescue is much appreciated.
Quote from Hank Rosso: “Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.”
Please be kind to animals.
Tracy Jessiman writes the weekly column Recycled Love and is proud to be a “voice for those with no choice.” Reach
her at recycledlove@me.com