Whew. We hosted a successful Open House & Expo at Levittown Animal Hospital this past weekend, and now I’m exhasted. Over 150 guests cam by to tour our hospital and participate in our activities and events. We’re still cleaning up and getting the prizes in the right hands …but I have a little more “free” time to write again. Until my next big project comes up!
One of our exhibitors at the Expo was a local rescue organization called Last Hope. I saw at least one client take out his checkbook to contribute to them. For Animals In The Hospital (FAITH) also had a table set up at our event, and they collected some much-needed donations. Another local rescue group was supposed to be in attendance, but canceled at the last minute because the members needed to attend a bigger event in Baltimore. They inexplicably barred all of their volunteers from attending the Open House to solicit any donations, but we won’t get into that here…
Unless you live in a cave, you have at some point been asked to donate to some charitable organization. And at least a few of these organizations are animal related. Who deserves your hard earned dollar? Is there anyone who doesn’t? What questions should you ask before donating?
- Does the organization’s mission accurately represent your own values and beliefs?
- Does the organization (and do its members) operate in a manner that meets your personal moral standards?
- Where does the money go? Administrative costs? Research? Directly to animal care?
- What are the organization’s other sources of funding?
- Is the organization legitimately registered as a not-for-profit group?
- Do the leaders of the organization truly live by their mission, or are they there for some other ulterior or self-serving motive?
These are the few I could come up with off the top of my head, but I invite you to leave your own crieteria in the comments section. And if you have any favorite animal charities, please post their link (or at least a name). If you have a not-so-good rescue group, please share with us why they’re on your bad list.
October 28th, 2009 - 8:23 pm
That is a question that I never gave much thought to until the last couple of years. It is so automatic to assume that “any” rescue, shelter, or humane org. is working for the best interest of the animals.
I no longer consider it automatic, nor do I think all are “humane”. For years, I supported several local ones and no longer do. Why? I want to be more discerning and assured that my $$$ truly help animals OR indirectly help large groups of animals.
Besides occassional private & anonymous donation, my yearly and single largest donation goes to Scottish Terrier Club of New England Breed Rescue & STCA national rescue
www. Stcne.org Foster homes, transportation, care, grooming are all donated free; medical care is paid for from funding.
One of the largest Scottie rescue groups in need happens to cover NY, NJ, and PA http://www.stcgny.org