Animal Welfare Professionals

I have been participating in animal rescue since 1998. I teach Humane education in the classroom,  manage feral cat colonies, foster shelter pets, speak at pet expos, teach TNR, post pets needing homes on my Twitter (@WestEndLondon8) and Facebook (Kerri Reed), write children's books on the Rainbow Bridge, and transport pets to forever homes.

Over the years, I have spent my life savings on helping animals in need.

When I ask for donations, I get none. Hundreds of people have viewed my fundraisers but no one ever donates, yet I see other rescuers getting help.

Along with the burnout that comes with rescue there is also a despondency over the lack of support.

My latest effort is Buy Me a Coffee but no one donated to that either.

buymeacoffee.com/PetHelper

I am feeling discouraged.  Any suggestions?

Thank you!

#FundraisingandDevelopment

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Kerri Reed
Rescue/Foster Care
Animal Ark Rescue
CA
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Hi Kerri!  Thanks for giving us all a little insight into the many ways you're helping animals!  

I think it's tricky when you're a solo rescuer/friend of animals. You're probably so busy that you don't have alot of time to spend on social media posts and emails.  Maybe you can find a friend or a student who would help with creating content?  Because I think you would need to go about it in the same way a nonprofit would:  building a relationship with followers and supporters, with  many good outreach pieces (think stories, about what you're doing,) before you ask for support.  A workshop I took suggested at least 3 "warm fuzzy" pieces for every "ask" you send.  That formula is working well for us, and it might for you as well. 

Continue working to develop relationships with the people who follow you--that's not the same as a ton of people seeing a fundraiser and not giving.  But if you're someone who has inspired them, and motivated to do more to help animals, the donations will come.  

Cheers!

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April King
Volunteer and Board Member
Kotor Kitties
+1 206 407 5336
http://www.kotorkitties.org
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