I am a volunteer/board member of Northern California sled Dog Rescue (NorSled), a Northern breed rescue that was founded 27 years ago in Walnut Creek, CA. We pull euth listed dogs regularly from 3 shelters in the CA, Central Valley. This huge area has a chronic problem with dog abandonment.
We are a 100% volunteer based rescue, that has been challenged with finding enough fosters for the dogs we pull. We often have 10-15 huskies in well-run kennels at any given time (with regular volunteers taking them out), and for the last year our board members have been discussing the prospect of building our own kennel with regular adoption hours and meet and greets for potential fosters/adopters.
Our budget is annually around $450,000-499,000. We have an incredible, long time rescue coordinator who has been able to raise generous donations annually through her relationships with longterm adopters. In addition to donations, NorSled holds regular fundraising efforts, weekly adoption events throughout the SF/Bay Araea, grant writing, and adoption fees. We really want to sustain our rescue for years to come, and have gained new, enthusiastic volunteers who are actively involved.
My question is: Has anybody in our rescue community grown from being foster based, to owning/operating their own kennel? NorSled will remain primarily a foster based rescue, but we have kennel needs, and want to make sure our dogs are getting the exposure they need to get adopted.
We have often put freezes on pulling dogs, but our passion for saving lives means NorSled needs a more sustainable model, and a facility ensures that we have solid access to our rescues who are not in foster. It comes down to paying kennel fees or a mortgage/insurance.
Thank you to all who can offer insight and advice!
Sabrina Kabella
#FundraisingandDevelopment------------------------------
Sabrina Kabella
Volunteer Animal Socializer/Grant Writer
Northern California Sled Dog Rescue (Norsled)
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