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Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

  • 1.  Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-19-2022 07:13 PM
    Hi Everyone, 

    Our rescue recently saved a puppy (named Jack) that was emaciated and covered in fleas. We took him to our veterinarian and he was diagnosed with a 5/6 heart murmur.  We then scheduled an appointment with a cardiologist and he was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis. The veterinarian recommended we perform surgery as soon as possible to increase his quality of life, which is scheduled for December 13th. The veterinarian estimated the cost for the surgery will be $5,000 and this does not even include follow-up care. The vet also requires everything be paid up-front. Our network of supporters (4,000 followers on facebook and about 600 on instagram) and volunteers (about 5 consistent volunteers) is still very small. With the holidays coming up, donations are often slower. I'm looking for resources/ideas for potential ways to quickly come up with $5,000 and fund this puppy's surgery.  Here is what we have done so far: 
    -We had a Santa photo session fundraising event today and raised $500
    -I recently contacted Cuddly to setup a campaign for him. The problem is that most often supporters donate more when a "sad, bloody, or horrific" photo is shown. This is not the case for Jack since everything is internal, so I don't know how successful it will be
    -I have tried researching grants to apply to but most are already closed for the year. Does anyone have suggestions for grant opportunities specific to medical needs? 
    -We have asked for donations on Facebook from our supporters and raised about $1,000 so far, but again, our network is smaller so I don't know how many donations we will actually get in through the avenue. 

    Thank you all for suggestions and feedback! 

    Best, 
    Kelsey
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand  


    #FundraisingandDevelopment

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
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  • 2.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-21-2022 08:08 AM
    Have you tried the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation? This sounds like the type of medical need they would help with! 
    https://www.bowwowbuddies.com/apply-for-grant/

    Also, Care Credit financing can help. They usually offer 0% interest for 6-18 months if you use a provider in their network.  https://www.carecredit.com/

    Good luck!


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    Casey Sellers
    Finders Keepers Animal Sanctuary
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  • 3.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-25-2022 07:14 PM
    Thank you, Casey! I have not tried Bow Wow Buddies! Thank you again for the recommendation! 

    Best, 
    Kelsey

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-21-2022 09:22 AM
    Hi there -- we also did 3 campaigns on WAGGLE.org and I understand what you mean about the sadder/most graphic stories getting funded.  However, ours were not that type of story and they got funded pretty quickly.  Our pups needed wheel carts and physical therapy.  We also were lucky enough to get a television station do a story about the pups and they mentioned the WAGGLE.org campaign and that really helped.  Best wishes!

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    Anne Haynes
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  • 5.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-25-2022 07:14 PM
    Hi Anne! Great idea! Thank you! 

    Best, 
    Kelsey

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-25-2022 07:16 PM
    Hi Anne! I forgot to ask, do you have a template you used for the press release for the news station? I would love to have an example as a reference if you have one. Thanks!

    Best, 
    Kelsey

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 12-07-2022 09:17 AM
    Hi Anne,

    I've discovered a wonderful resource for wheelchairs for pets of all kind.  I'll be interviewing John Cox this week and his story will air on Monday.  He is located in Sarasota FL and runs a nonprofit called Ruck9.  They provide wheelchairs free of charge to pets in need.  Free free to call me with any questions.  941-900-8303.

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    Patty Giarrusso
    Lost Pet Services, Inc.
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  • 8.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-21-2022 09:35 AM
    We had a very similar situation earlier this year with a young chihuahua puppy born with a heart condition that had to be surgically repaired.  We used Facebook and were able to raise the funds, fortunately, using a VERY adorable picture of the puppy.  As you said, nothing looked "off" with her.  We titled the fundraiser "Can you help mend a broken heart?"  I think that helped.  Have you also run an email blast?  As you have 4000 "followers," perhaps phrasing it as "If everyone gives $1.00, we can mend a broken heart."  Do you have any "high-end" donors on your list that might be approached individually? Even perhaps to do a matching donation program? Do you have a local newspaper?  At this time of year, they are often looking for stories about people helping others (people AND animals!).

    Have you looked at the Banfield Foundation HOPE funds program? https://www.banfieldfoundation.org/Banfield-Foundation-Grant-Programs

    I hope some of these ideas can help! Good luck, and I hope little Jack gets the surgery he needs.  Thank you!

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    Erin Hooks
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  • 9.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-25-2022 07:17 PM
    Thank you, Erin. We do have a local newspaper that may be able to help. Do you have an example press release you used when contacting the newspaper? I have tried contacting the newspaper before but they never reply. 

    Best, 
    Kelsey

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
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  • 10.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-28-2022 03:17 PM
    Here is our follow up and original post:

    Whisper's Heart is now Mended and FULL!

    In February, we reached out to you to help us with the expense of surgically healing little Whisper's heart. Her corrective heart surgery went perfectly… she was the ideal "patient" pup! She then spent her recovery with her loving foster family who finally became her loving "foster failures." Whisper found her forever home with the family that brought her through the healing process, and we couldn't be happier for her! She has a lifetime of wags, wiggles, and woofs ahead … thanks to your generosity!

    Who will be the next "Whisper?" The truth is, we treat every animal that comes in to HSCC with love, compassion, and top of the line veterinary care.  A cat with almost no hair due to a flea allergy, rescued from another shelter? Got her. Heartworm positive dogs? Treated! Day after day, we don't know who will come through our door and what it will cost to heal this new shelter resident. Please donate today for the next animal in need. There is always another heart ready to be made whole. Please give as your heart dictates.

     

    Original post:

    Can you help us mend Whisper's "Broken Heart?"

    Whisper, a tiny chihuahua mix, was surrendered to us at six weeks of age by a family who knew there was "something wrong," but could not afford to take her to the vet.  As she grew, our staff noticed that her tiny body vibrated with every heartbeat. We reached out to a specialist, and took Whisper in for a consultation. The Diagnosis: A congenital heart defect that would result in heart failure without immediate surgical correction...Whisper would never grow up and would never see her first birthday. Now at three months old, Whisper has had her corrective heart surgery THIS WEEK, and is doing great! However, her consultation fees alone were $1,500, and with surgery and after care, the cost will total approximately $6,000.

     

    When animals come into our care with medical needs, like Whisper's, we immediately step in. Offering them a chance at a better life, often not knowing where the funding to provide this kind of care will come from. Can you help us with this extraordinary expense? Please give as you feel led. No amount is too small, when given out of love for this tiny dog with a big heart.

    (PDA. Patent Ductus Arteriosus).

     



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    Erin Hooks
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  • 11.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 12-05-2022 04:13 AM
    Hello! I would also love to see a sample of an effective press release.  Thank you!

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    Kaja Gula-Thomas
    Grants & Special Projects
    START Rescue
    VENTURA CA
    917-655-0545
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  • 12.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 12-05-2022 07:05 AM
      |   view attached
    Kelsey and Kaja,

    Some basic tips for news stories:

    You're always better off contacting a specific reporter than trying to just send in an email to a tip line or news desk.  If you have a copy of your local paper, take a look at who's writing similar stories and then go to the paper's website, almost for sure there will be a way to find their direct contact information.

    In your pitch, identify things that will stand out for the reporter.  You want your story to be timely either something that just happened or will be happening.  Some sort of interesting flair, in small markets cute animals might be enough, in larger markets it might need to be a manufactured event like Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl, or something like a hoarding case seizure, or just an interesting history on an animal.  Identify any visuals that your story has, opportunities to take pictures, or great pictures/video you already have.

    It's great to email a reporter with your story idea, but definitely call the reporter to follow up and don't assume they have read or even seen your email.  Pitch them again on the phone, you can literally ask them "do you have a minute for me to pitch you a story" and they'll usually say yes or tell you who is the best person to talk to.  If you can't find a reporter's phone number, call the news desk and ask for that person specifically, leave a voice mail if you don't get through.

    Smaller, local papers have less and less staff today.  In those cases, it can be more helpful to pre-write a press release.  Try to write it similar to an actual news story rather than an information release, as in many cases, small papers will just print what you wrote.

    I'm also attaching a sample press release that we sent out a few years ago that received newspaper and television coverage.

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    Jeff Okazaki
    Humane Society of Jefferson County
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    Attachment(s)

    docx
    Press Release Sample.docx   14 KB 1 version


  • 13.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-21-2022 02:13 PM
    Unfortunately most of the grant agencies that support this type of thing are either very overloaded, have tiny budgets, or have very, very specific requirements about what, how, and when they fund.  While it can be worth reaching out, most of the time either the animal won't qualify or the grant won't be available in the needed timeframe.

    For our medical care, we solicit donors on our social media in the same way, our average pull with about 11k followers is around $1.5-2k for an animal, so pulling in 1k in your situation is great!

    The ideas other have suggested here are great.  Getting a waggle.com fund or facebook fund going for the animal is a good start, then being able to go out to the media with a story about "mending a broken heart" is a fantastic hook for the holiday season, especially if he's a cute puppy, your local news will love to get a pitch like that.  That's probably the easiest way to a mass audience needed for fundraising.  The other suggestion of a major donor to approach is also a good one.

    The one thing I'd caution here is looking at the specific case.  Hopefully you're getting good information from your vet / specialty cardiologist, but $5k is a tall order for a puppy with severe heart malformations.  If he has a 5/6 heart murmur, very likely he would have fairly significant stenosis.  While the procedure is relatively safe and common, in about 1/5 of cases it might not fully resolve the issue and about 25% of the time, stenosis is associated with other heart or congenital defects.  To protect yourself, and your future ability to ask donors for funds, make sure you're getting all the details and risks from your vet before jumping right into surgery.

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    Jeff Okazaki
    Humane Society of Jefferson County
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  • 14.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-25-2022 07:20 PM
    Thank you, Jeff for all the advice. We took him to the NC State Veterinary Hospital and he has severe pulmonic stenosis. We are hoping surgery will be successful but you are right, there is always a risk. If we can raise the money, I'm hoping it will lead to a good outcome for him, but always something to keep in mind. Thank you again for your helpful suggestions! 

    Best, 
    Kelsey

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    Kelsey Quinn
    Volunteer
    Lending Paws a Hand
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 11-29-2022 12:37 PM
    We have had great success with our $5 Friday Medical Stories and asks.  The more photos you use, the better the fundraising!  Give it a try.

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    Michelle Thomas
    Director of Development
    Lynchburg Humane Society
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  • 16.  RE: Resources for raising funds quickly for medical cases

    Posted 12-05-2022 08:30 AM
    We've had a lot of luck starting fundraising campaigns on "Giving Grid."  They have a particular campaign for Animal non-profits  and have a campaign you can start for Urgent Help for Animals medical issues and procedures. People donate, pick a square and can put a photo of their pet in or a message.  I've been starting campaigns there for years and pretty much meet our goal each time. Used it a couple of times for PDA surgery. It's fairly easy especially after you do your first one. https://www.givinggrid.com/ Good luck!

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    Susan Leavitt
    National Coordinator, East Coast, VP Board
    American Maltese Association Rescue
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