Animal Welfare Professionals

Funding is an issue for nearly every organization in our work, whether non-profit or public. There have been a lot of discussions here around fundraising for non-profits, but I can't find much on the forum on advocacy and best practices for public / government-funded shelters. Since sheltering is a local public service, funding formulas likely vary quite a bit and complicated by a variety of factors. But there are likely a few basic models.

Does anyone have a good rule of thumb or formulas to help assess and justify adequate shelter budgets? I am hoping that this can help us advocate for adequate funding for no-kill shelter operations in our local areas. Just tracking down local shelter budget information in any detail can be challenging, I have found. My question may apply both to government-run and contract providers.

Specifically, I am also interested in how budget formulas might also create or discourage perverse incentives, for example how does a per-animal per-day cost basis affect operations? Any tips, comments, or resources would be appreciated.

Hello - two recordings on the Maddie's Fund website might be of interest to you, see links below. Speakers will have more detailed information about budget formulas. There are transcripts of each video in the Related Links box.  More resources can be found at http://www.maddiesfund.org/topic-budgets-and-financial-development.htm

• Outstanding Animal Control Programs: Moving Toward No-Kill by Scott Trebatoski
• Dollars and Sense of Sheltering by Nicole Olynk Widmar, PhD 

Thanks so much, I will check these out.