Recession hits Kitten Rescue

This may be a funny photo but this is really no laughing matter!

I'm sure that Kitten Rescue isn't the only pet rescue nonprofit that's suffering from this horrible economy that we're in, but this message from a Kitten Rescue online group really hits hard. It's so difficult when more and more animals come in (like the kitties that I just rescued) with not enough funds to help them.

Here is the message from Sue Romaine, Kitten Rescue's Founder.

Hi all--

I don't want to scare anyone, but.... the recession has really hit us hard here at Kitten Rescue. Not only are our adoptions down by about 25%, but we've also seen a pretty big falloff in donations and fundraising. The bottom line is that our revenues are down about $30,000 from this time last year... which means we have a significant funding gap.

What's worse, we are already a lean mean rescue machine, so there is no fat to trim. Expenses are even with last year... that means our medical bills alone will total over $130,000 --- our total budget approaches $300k. Since I don't see any quick end to the recession, if we are going to be able to pay our bills and keep rescuing, we collectively need to "kick it up a notch" to help bring in money.

We do have Furball coming up soon, but we had originally hoped to earmark monies raised toward remodelling Casitas.... now it looks like we may have use our proceeds for operating costs....

I'd like to ask everyone to try to help us raise more money. Here are a few ideas for how you can help:

1. help sell tickets for the Furball. (remember, sell ten, get a freebie for yourself)... and if people you ask can't go, ask if they can make a donation of $10 or $25 or whatever... call or email your adopters, your friends, your ex's, your coworkers.

2. Rattle that donation jar at adoption events. Talk us up to even the looky loos who come in. Ask flat out for a donation. Tell everyone how great our need is and how many cats we save a year (over 1,000).

3. Ask at work if there is a company foundation or charitable giving program or volunteer support grants. If there is anything like that, apply on behalf of Kitten Rescue. I will help if you need it.

4. Remind all donors that many firms have matching programs for donations, and try to get them to submit their donations for matching funds (be sure they get receipts!!)

5. Help promote boarding at Casitas. Boarding is a good moneymaker for us, so if anyone asks you about catsitters or boarding, please, have them call Casitas.

There are lots of other ways we can all work together to help get through this financially challenging time. I'll be putting out more emails with more fundraising ideas. And if you've got any fundraising ideas, let me know, we need all the help we can get!!!!