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For more information about grants available to animal rescue organizations, click here. Read more about National Mill Dog Rescue. For more about fundraising, check out Best Friends’ No More Homeless Pets resource library. |
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Theresa Strader, founder of National Mill Dog Rescue, has been so successful in keeping her rescue afloat during these troubled economic times that others seek her advice.
She tries to keep a balance of $3,000 in her rescue’s account, much of which goes to pay the bills which include dog maintenance and care, the salary of her one paid staffer and the $500-a-month rent on her 40-acre rescue property east of Colorado Springs.
But she has struggled like everyone else.
“There have been days when I only had $200 in the bank, but I don’t lose sleep over it,” Strader says. “I don’t put money in the forefront.”
Like most rescue operations, National Mill Dog Rescue depends heavily on donations and grants to keep doing the good work it does. In order to keep those donations coming in, rescues must let their communities know they’re out there, Strader says. And to do that, they need look no further than their local newspapers and television news stations.
“They love stories about dogs,” Strader says. “Every rescue has a touching story on a regular basis. A lot of people don’t know you’re up the street doing this kind of work and they need to be aware of your existence. You’ve got to be out there.”
Strader also advises rescues to apply for 501c3 tax exempt status. Although it costs a few hundred dollars to file an application with the Internal Revenue Service, there are many financial advantages for rescues with 501c3 nonprofit status.
“It’s very worthwhile to have a 501c3 so you can apply for grants,” Strader says. “Your grant application won’t even be considered unless you have 501c3 status. And many private donors want tax receipts.” Strader understands that applying for a 501c3 can seem daunting. But she says it’s easier than you think.
“I’m a nurse, not an attorney, and I did it,” she says. “Just get the information and paperwork and muddle through it.”
For more information on the advantages of having a 501c3, and on how to apply for the tax-exempt status, go to the I.R.S. website.
Volunteers and veterinarians: Worth their weight in gold
Strader has rescued some 1,500 puppy mill dogs since starting her rescue operation back in February 2007. But she’s the first to say she couldn’t have done it alone. She depends on volunteers to help her care for the 60 to 70 dogs she has on her property at any given time. And these dogs require very special care to help them heal from the emotional and physical wounds that come from having spent their lives in crowded, dirty commercial breeding operations.
Strader has built up an impressive list of 300 volunteers and at least 15 to 25 of them show up every single day to help clean, care for and socialize these special dogs.
She says the secret to getting volunteers is letting your community know you need help. The secret to keeping volunteers is to let them know they’re valued. “People need to know they’re needed and they need to know they’re appreciated,” Strader says. “You have to show up and let them know you’re not above them. I’m out there with them in my boots with a pooper scooper. I let them know I could not do this without them.”
Strader has saved a bundle on veterinary care by finding local veterinarians willing to provide their services at a big discount.
“You have to cry on the shoulders of veterinarians,” Strader says. “You have to let them know you need their help.”
Strader gets dog food from a local dog food distributor in Colorado Springs. The distributor donates ripped bags of food that can’t be sold in stores.
Strader says rescue organizations should contact their local pet food distributors as well as their local Petsmart and Petco stores, many of which are willing to provide damaged bags of pet food at no cost.
When it comes to staying afloat in these troubled economic times, Strader’s advice to rescues is simple. Let people know you’re there and that you need their help.
“I think despite the economic crisis that people still want to give to organizations they care about,” Strader says. “I believe people will donate if they know you’re there. If you just ask, people will respond.”
Written by Sandy Miller
Photos and video by Clay Myers
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