Support Our Shelters
by Ela Heyn
SOS [Support Our Shelters] helps ferrets all over the world.
We formed this organization around 1995 to help shelters that needed help.
At the time, there were several shelters in critical need, and several Ferret
Mailing List members suggested that it would be great if we had a central
fund to help them. Georgia, Judith and I volunteered to do this. And with
the help of an “advisory group” (consisting of several shelter
owners, etc.) we set up SOS the first Christmas we were in existence, we
had raised about $400, and we used it to buy and ship ferret food from Totally
Ferret to about 10 shelters. (Totally Ferret was VERY kind and also made
donations toward this effort).
Since then, we’ve done several fundraisers, including a ferret coloring book (drawings donated by Linda Gaylord), bumper stickers, and raffles. We have also been collecting money from individuals for ferrets in shelters as well as raising money through fundraisers, and periodically donating it. Georgia puts a lot of time, effort, creativity and love into the “Kouri’s Fans” Club and website which she runs to make money for SOS. Judith puts a lot of effort into handling our finances, and deserves particular credit for compiling and editing the HUGE SOS Shelter List which is sent to the FML several times a year. It consists of an update on the name, address, and veterinarians’ information for shelters all over the world, and their current status (in terms of bills, number of animals, etc.) We use this document as the basis of our donation decisions, and I know others on the list do, too.
Last year, we finished the process of filing paperwork to become a 501c3 corporation, so donations to us are now tax-deductible.
Basically, we distribute funds on a periodic basis as we have them, and we also do occasional fundraisers for special “emergencies”. One of the most recent emergencies that we raised funds for was the NJ Xmas Rescue, when we asked for donations specifically for that cause. The funds that came in earmarked directly for that cause were spent on just the NJ Xmas Rescue, with any extra to go to other needy shelters.
The NJ Xmas rescue originated when a breeder in Southern New Jersey passed away suddenly less than a week before Xmas. The township animal shelter where he lived picked up his 100 or so ferrets, but really had nowhere to house them. So, they called the local shelter (Kista).
Kista and Fuzztek shelters (both in New Jersey) worked together to get veterinarians care and new homes for the many, many ferrets from this rescue. The poor animals were in horrid condition ... many untreated infections in the girls, some untreated cancers in the boys. Many of the animals bit HARD, because they were really scared. The veterinarian bills quickly ran into the thousands of dollars, largely because the animals had no vaccination records, and there were so many whole animals that had to be altered. The members of the FML generously donated the thousands of dollars it took to pay the vets. who assisted with these animals.
Most of the time, though, the funds we raise go into a general “pool”, from which we can draw for periodic distributions. When that occurs, we go over the data we have received from the shelters (for the Shelter Update), and try to determine who has the greatest needs. (We’ve also occasionally received requests from suppliers seeking to donate product, which wanted help in identifying the neediest shelters. We passed on the information we had to them).
Also, sometimes, a shelter specifically requests help, or someone requests help on behalf of a shelter that needs it. In those cases, we usually review the situation, make some inquiries (including asking the shelter owner how best we can help), and we review our finances to see what we can do.
Regardless of whether it is due to special request or a periodic distribution, there are only two ways we are “allowed” to give monetary help: through a direct donation to a vet (towards the shelter’s vet bill), and through a donation of product. (This could involve our ordering product to be shipped to the shelter, or giving the shelter a gift certificate to a particular supplier/retailer, etc.) We NEVER send money directly to a shelter, just product to the shelter or money to their veterinarians