How do YOU raise funds?
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Hello fine folk of Ala! I'm here to pick your brains and gather suggestions about how to go about fundraising. :P
Here's the background on my situation:
I've been volunteering at my local county animal shelter (unfortunately yes, we're a kill-shelter because we have no choice) for over 6 years and I've met some wonderful dogs. Two of these dogs, Gunner and Dennis, are very sweet boys, but very, very stressed. They've started developing bad behaviors that are all related to their stress from being in the shelter environment, like mouthing our arms, occasional dog aggression, and (in Gunner's case) an extreme obsession with tennis balls. Once he has one, he won't let it go unless you give him a treat. And he will drag you halfway across the parking lot just to get the ball in the first place! These behaviors have made it really difficult to find homes for these guys, and many visitors don't even want to meet them!
Through the hard work of another volunteer, both of these boys have been given the unique opportunity to be transferred to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary for animals. Once there, they'll get the exercise, attention, and training that will make it possible for them to find loving, forever homes. If they stay at our shelter, there's no telling how much longer they'll have. While our shelter gives dogs every opportunity to get adopted, once they start to exhibit kennel-stress (especially with the mouthing, since it can be dangerous if you're not ready for it, and most customers aren't) the shelter usually has to make the difficult decision to humanely euthanize them. These boys have been there for over 6 months and really need to get out!
The problem now is getting them out there. I've offered to transport them all the way there (from NC to Utah - going to be quite the road trip!), but I don't have the money to pay for gas and lodging and a rental van (because my old Volvo won't make it!). In total, we need a little under $3000. We're raising money via a ChipIn account, but we have to make the trip in early August (like, on the 10th).
This is where you come in. I need help getting the word out there and raising the money, but I'm not sure how to do it. I set up a Facebook page for the boys and linked it to their ChipIn. As of now, we have $330 out of our posted $2000 goal. We need a lot more to make this happen for them.
So here's my question: How would you raise money for these boys in such a short amount of time?
And so you can put faces with names:
Gunner
Dennis
Here's the background on my situation:
I've been volunteering at my local county animal shelter (unfortunately yes, we're a kill-shelter because we have no choice) for over 6 years and I've met some wonderful dogs. Two of these dogs, Gunner and Dennis, are very sweet boys, but very, very stressed. They've started developing bad behaviors that are all related to their stress from being in the shelter environment, like mouthing our arms, occasional dog aggression, and (in Gunner's case) an extreme obsession with tennis balls. Once he has one, he won't let it go unless you give him a treat. And he will drag you halfway across the parking lot just to get the ball in the first place! These behaviors have made it really difficult to find homes for these guys, and many visitors don't even want to meet them!
Through the hard work of another volunteer, both of these boys have been given the unique opportunity to be transferred to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the country's largest no-kill sanctuary for animals. Once there, they'll get the exercise, attention, and training that will make it possible for them to find loving, forever homes. If they stay at our shelter, there's no telling how much longer they'll have. While our shelter gives dogs every opportunity to get adopted, once they start to exhibit kennel-stress (especially with the mouthing, since it can be dangerous if you're not ready for it, and most customers aren't) the shelter usually has to make the difficult decision to humanely euthanize them. These boys have been there for over 6 months and really need to get out!
The problem now is getting them out there. I've offered to transport them all the way there (from NC to Utah - going to be quite the road trip!), but I don't have the money to pay for gas and lodging and a rental van (because my old Volvo won't make it!). In total, we need a little under $3000. We're raising money via a ChipIn account, but we have to make the trip in early August (like, on the 10th).
This is where you come in. I need help getting the word out there and raising the money, but I'm not sure how to do it. I set up a Facebook page for the boys and linked it to their ChipIn. As of now, we have $330 out of our posted $2000 goal. We need a lot more to make this happen for them.
So here's my question: How would you raise money for these boys in such a short amount of time?
And so you can put faces with names:
Gunner
Dennis
Roo (#8507)
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08-5-2011 at 1:46 PM
Thanks for both the suggestions - the funds have been raised and me and the boys are heading out tomorrow! YAY!<br /> <br /> This thread can now be closed, deleted, whatever. :)
Roo (#8507)
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07-22-2011 at 8:53 PM
We were hoping for the volunteer chain originally, but we never really looked into it. Plus, we all feel more comfortable knowing the person taking them (me) knows these dogs and has experience with their "unique personalities" (i.e. craziness and behavioral problems). I'd hate to pawn their mouthiness off on other people. XD<br /> <br /> The radio shout-outs are a great idea! I know a few radio stations in the area that are pro-rescue, so I'll contact them... The girl/boy scout troop is also a good idea.. They're always doing stuff for the shelter (cleaning stuff, installing stuff, raising money for stuff). Thanks!
Gracie (#88)
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07-22-2011 at 5:09 PM
Have you thought about making a chain of volunteers to transport them instead of doing it all yourself? Do you have any family members along that route who might be willing to meet you, pick them up and further their journey? What if there was a trucker who loves animals and makes that journey? Or maybe some shelters along the way have volunteers who would complete the train? It just seems like there's so many people out on the highways that there has to be a way to network and transport these dogs. The problem would be finding the right people to talk to. :\ Unfortunately, my family and I are too far north to help.<br /> <br /> As for raising money, are there places in your community that would allow you to promote your cause? Maybe a stand inside your shelter, a pamphlet on community bulletin boards (often I see them in grocery stores, pet stores, and eating places), a shout-out on a radio station, or a flyer in a school or park. Maybe a local girl scout/boy scout troop would be willing to donate or fundraise for you?
Roo (#8507)
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07-22-2011 at 3:36 PM
We did think about flying them out there, but these two probably wouldn't handle a plane ride well. They're both very...wired. Car rides are a little less stressful, or at least, so I thought.. If we can't raise enough money for the drive, though, I think we probably will have to fly them out, no matter how stressful it is for them.. =/
Aussie (#8632)
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07-22-2011 at 2:45 PM
Roo have you looked into the cost of flying them there? You may be able to get them to the nearest airport for a fraction of the cost - obviously it depends on the flight but usually it only costs a couple hundred dollars to fly a dog - plus a vet certificate and crate cost - I would think it would still be cheaper.