Animal Welfare Professionals

Hello,

I wanted to find out if anyone's organization offers sanctuary for cats. We have 3 cats that will likely stay with us the rest of their lives due to numerous illnesses and age. When you offer sanctuary how do you fundraise for these animals? I worry donors will not want to donate toward a special diet and consistent care for the same cats. 

Hi Kendall,

I think you would introduce the long-term "sanctuary" kitties as part of a new program of long-term care that circumstances have called on you to offer. 

Introduce each of the cats  as you would a kitty for adoption, focusing on their personalities but also explaining the special needs of each of them that led to your conclusion that long-term sponsorship would allow them to remain stable and cared for through the anticipated ups and downs of their medical/behavioral needs.

Make it cute!  Make it transparent:  What are the anticipated monthly costs?  What are the expensive medical realities in each of their futures?  If you have a good number of monthly donors, you could ask them to add $5/month towards the care of these cats?  Or recruit X number of donors to sponsor them monthly.  If certain people engage strongly with one of the cats, you could ask them to take the lead with you in any catastrophic needs fundraising for that particular cat, should the need arise.

Could you interest any local businesses in sponsoring virtual "shop cat" or mascot? You supply a monthly update, with cute photos to use on their social pages or signage in store/office?  Give a cat a bit of fuss in their retirement...?    All the cuteness without the litterbox!  They could have a donation canister for your org. as well.  

Be prepared ahead of time to decide where you draw the boundaries for long-term sanctuary vs. the type of fostering you usually provide.  Otherwise the need for sanctuary could swamp your original mission.

Good luck with this!

Hello,

I wanted to find out if anyone's organization offers sanctuary for cats. We have 3 cats that will likely stay with us the rest of their lives due to numerous illnesses and age. When you offer sanctuary how do you fundraise for these animals? I worry donors will not want to donate toward a special diet and consistent care for the same cats.