Sanctuary Update

I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has called and emailed in response to the News 10 Story. While we are so very appreciate of the media attention, the reporter’s commitment and passion, I do want to take the tone of the plea down a notch, and better clarify our current situation.

With close to 100 animals to feed, veterinary costs related to caring for a senior and special needs population, facility rent, fuel, supplies, etc… it all adds up to more than $20,000 per month. We have always prided ourselves on giving great care to the displaced animals that find their way to us, and feel that in doing so we are both honoring them while also demonstrating to others that a high quality of life is indeed possible for animals, even for seniors.

Yes, we have been struggling financially. While we have gained some great acclaim and attention over the last 12 months, and in doing so averted foreclosure, the fact of the matter is that right now we do not have $20,000 coming in every month. We have been able to make it month to month by tapping into our reserve fund so that we could balance each month, but now there is no reserve.

So, as it currently stands, there is a projected deficit for June with no reserve to offset that, and that is obviously a significant problem. While it was not accurate to say we would close our doors in two weeks, the truth is that if we do not receive more monthly support right away we would not be able to continue.

The good news is that we do have a very simple solution. Our sponsor program is just $10 per month, and if we can get 1,500 more people to sign up as monthly sponsors (i.e. in addition to the 500 we have now,) we will have a reliable, steady income which will cover our monthly expenses.

We have designed the program to be a true win-win. I know the program is cost effective for the sanctuary. We can produce a mailing for $1, and that means $9 is available to the sanctuary (note: that $1 of cost is already accounted for in the $20,000 above). I also know that people love the monthly sponsor updates. The feedback I get each month tells me that the program is informative, fun, and so very worthwhile. We created the program with the thought that a small amount of financial support from a lot of people would be the best way to keep the sanctuary funded.

We do not want to be the organizational manifestation of the boy who cried wolf, and quite frankly would rather be in the news for how well our animals are doing, but while we are grateful for the media we ultimately do not have control over the tenor or tone of each broadcast. Some are more dramatic than others, and that can make us cringe, even when we do need the help.

In the end, if you are called to help please help us find more sponsors, and if we can do that I know we can move past the point of drama to a place of peaceful sustainability.

Thank you for your love and support…Woody and Deanna