Summer is usually a drought time for TG. Our vet bills are reaching $3500 – we have had some extra expenses as well as lots of new arrivals needing speuters, worming and vaccinations. Transportation costs also eat into available funds. Every medical visit is $50 – a 130 kilometer round trip – twice in that day. In and out to bring the dog/dogs into the vet and in and out to bring them home again. We schedule supplies on that day as well as human medical visits, food shopping etc – make that trip cost effective! Transport trips are also multi-tasking. We deliver adopted dogs to their families and come back with a full van – dog food, supplies and donated items for the dogs and foster home program. So we need Fundraising Ideas to raise money for TG. And we need committed people to implement those ideas into fact. TG needs money – we are more than willing to work hard to raise our much needed funds. We just need to know how/where/when/what etc. We need your fun ideas to raise money – something different/funky/awe inspiring/thought provoking/innovative and will raise money and awareness of the plight of unwanted northern dogs and cats too. We are unique in what we do/how we do it and where we do it! We need to be self sufficient/self reliant and we need to do it better and more efficiently. Running a rescue on a shoestring is not pretty. Or easy. Or economical in the long run – supplies need to be bought in bulk – they are so much cheaper ie bleach/cleaners/paper towels/dettol/virusides/ even mops/rubber gloves etc.
So put on your thinking caps and send me your ideas. We will try to implement them into viable solutions. Help us help ourselves and all the dogs in our care and those waiting to come into our care. And maybe replenish our Spay/Neuter Voucher Program too.
I want to thank everyone who have been voting – We are up again – your tremendous support is overwhelming and appreciated – we are #3 in Canada and #2 in BC – How cool is that!!
Remember to VOTE everyday!! Please Vote everyday - Shelter Challenge ($20,000 Grant!!) Turtle Gardens Spay Neuter Society – Vancouver BC We are now #3 in Canada and #2 in BC!! Please vote!!!!!
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
Silent auctions and garage sales are always good. We did one for the transition house years ago, had the community drop off items at local stores and the radio station and the the radio station had the garage sale in their parking lot and broadcasted from it. It was pretty cool and raised a lot of money…..may be hard depending on your location.
Good luck and I will keep thinking……..
July 6th, 2009 | #
What about a halloween costume contest 4 pets. The idea might not work here where our population is small, but in a bigger center. Mabie get a mall to sponsor it, having it out in the open would creat awareness. Charge for the entry and you could even have a donation bin there to collect what ever people want to donate.
July 6th, 2009 | #
Have you looked into some sort of Alcan grant? Seeing that most of your support is in the lowermainland the would may be interested.
Other corprate companies may be willing to help as well.
July 6th, 2009 | #
For those that are good at sewing and like crafts……….. how about a craft sale featuring designer collars, leashes, doggy apparel and accessories. How hard can it be to make a collar or leash? doggy sweaters, blankets and rain gear? how about decorating food dishes for those yuppie puppies.
July 6th, 2009 | #
Whole Foods/Capers in the lower mainland gives bag money to charity. If you bring your own re-useable grocery bag, they either give you 10 cents back, or donate 10 cents to one of three charities they have listed at each store. I’m not sure how they choose the charities, but I know each store has different ones. They have sponsored the Vancouver Cat rescue and another animal protection organization. Might be worth getting in touch with someone there to see if TG can get on their charity list? The team leader at the Cambie store is Heather Collinson. Her number is 778-370-4210. She might be able to tell you how the charities are chosen, and how to get on the list.
July 6th, 2009 | #
I would suggest to take some beautiful photos of adorable dogs and sell them.
July 7th, 2009 | #
Given all the kms the van covers, it would be good advertising if some pet food company had their ads on the van. I know that taxis in big cities do this. I’m not sure who to contact, maybe someone on here knows.
The Bird Rescue Group in Castlegar got donations of bird-related art from local artists and set it all up in the mall for a few days as a silent auction.
I know you already look for sponsors for the dogs but what about corporate or local business owners sponsoring them? Again, advertising for them, money for you. You could even name puppies, just like all the sports centres have corporate names on them. Sounds silly but someone might go for it. If you can show them how much coverage your blog gets and all the support in large centres, some businesses might be interested. The novelty would generate some media coverage too. Also, many school classes here work together to sponsor a 3rd world foster child or similiar. Why not a dog? It would be especially relevant for a local Girl Guide or Scout Troop to take on.
Approach businesses about putting their logo on the coats/sweaters the dogs wear and make sure the logo is prominent in photos.
A local woman here is buying webbing and fasteners and sewing pretty ribbons on them and making really fun collars and leashes. I paid $25 on Saturday to buy my dog a pink collar with white daisies on it (everyone always thinks she’s a male!)She just sells them at the Saturday market but she is doing quite well with it. Since she has a rescue dog herself, I am sure she would be happy to tell me where she gets her supplies.
Eliza in Kaslo
July 7th, 2009 | #
Boy, it is never ever ending for you guys.
Dogs get adopted, dogs come in, dogs get adopted, more dogs come in.
I wish that some people would be more responsible.
But………
I really do not know how you do it as it costs us a fortune and we have only 5 dogs and 12 cats. It is the vet bills that really get us.
So I totally understand your vet bill worries.
I wonder if you start asking for sponsors for each dog.
Seems like you have a large group of readers
Keep up the great work.
And I hope some excellent ideas start rollng in
Sue
XOXOXO
July 8th, 2009 | #
I think a “wiggle, waggle walk-a-thon” would be a fantastic idea. They did this in Ontario as a $$raiser for the SPCA. They could be held simultaneoulsy in different communitites in the region, Smithers, Houston, Topley, Burns etc or have one large festival like one ending in Jaime Baxter Park. Pet owners collect pledges to walk with their pups. There are contests: biggest, smallest, costumed etc. I would definetly be willing to help organize. thoiughts?
July 9th, 2009 | #
I was thinking today about those emergency stickers that you can put on your windows to fire crews know you have a pet in the house. What about doing more personalized ones that would have turtle gardens info on them as well as info about your pet:
Turtle Gardens Spay & Neuter
Topley, BC
In case of emergency, my dog/cat/rabbit ________ is in the house.
Please call the Vet at __________________
or something like this?
Keep up the great work, you are all doing an amazing job and I’m sorry about the puppies that didn’t make it.
love from Silky
July 15th, 2009 | #
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July 20th, 2009 | #
I have emailed a dog lover in Vancouver that has some connections to other organizations that may be interested in sending some $$. I hope that his connections will work out. Other ideas…maybe a walk-a-thon to raise money across the Northwest. We could campaign in different towns and have people donate for the “walkers”. I would be interested in organizing something here. Let me know what you think.
July 21st, 2009 | #