Janet White
02-04-2006, 11:45 AM
For years rescuers have had to do all of their own fundraising, or pay for rescue out of their own pockets. Needless to say, this is an extra burden. If they applied for help from a fundraising only group, there was the need to fill out the application each time. This is why NSR has chosen to have a more lengthy applicaiton for recognition, and a much more simple grant application.
Raising enough money for grants was the first priority for NSR -- to help cover emergency situations, whether that emergency was a puppy mill closure, or just dogs coming out of the woodwork at once. Last year we had enough funds for grants - $700 or $300 grants.
But in addition to grants, it's been the goal of NSR to have enough money to give subsidies. Discussions in the past with affiliates, SCA members and within the NSR board, it became clear that the toughest burden on rescuers was to pay for insurance. In 2001, Sportsman's Insurance experienced a HUGE increase in claims relating to hands on rescue work. Their response to this was to drop anyone actively rescuing dogs. Kennel Pak has picked up those rescuers and will cover them for insurance, but the cost is enormous -- anywhere from $800-$1600 per year per group.
This year, thanks to the generosity of the SCA membership through donations, and from the money raised at the SCA's Agility trial at last year's national, we now have enough money to give the first subsidy -- $500 for each affliate that has or can give proof of a quote (showing they intend to get insurance). While it is not a requirement to have insurance to be an NSR affiliate, it is a good idea to cover yourself somehow. And while $500 will not pay the entire bill for rescuers, it is a start, and will leave them $500 more in their own accounts to go to the dogs.
For all the years I was the SCA's National Rescue Coordinator, I hoped that someday this would be a reality, and there were many times I didn't think we'd get here -- to the beginning of real, solid support for rescuers.
I still can't stop smiling when I think that at the last NSR Board meeting, I was able to make the motion to begin the subsidy program.
So if you've thought of donating, but aren't sure where the money would go, now you know. Grants and subsidies for the bulk of the funds. We will hopefully be giving out $500 to each of the 10 current affiliates, and there are a few others in the wings who are interested in applying. That means our funds will drop (as they should), so it will soon be time to work at raising more funds, so other subsidies can be put into place (time to have an attorney in their state review their forms, spay/neuters, HW tests, or whatever else the affiliates decide as a group should be the next subsidy to work on).
Donate today -- the main page has a donate through paypal button. We are also gearing up for an eBay auction, so take a look at what you might have to donate to your group of choice.
Still Smiling :D ;) :D !
Raising enough money for grants was the first priority for NSR -- to help cover emergency situations, whether that emergency was a puppy mill closure, or just dogs coming out of the woodwork at once. Last year we had enough funds for grants - $700 or $300 grants.
But in addition to grants, it's been the goal of NSR to have enough money to give subsidies. Discussions in the past with affiliates, SCA members and within the NSR board, it became clear that the toughest burden on rescuers was to pay for insurance. In 2001, Sportsman's Insurance experienced a HUGE increase in claims relating to hands on rescue work. Their response to this was to drop anyone actively rescuing dogs. Kennel Pak has picked up those rescuers and will cover them for insurance, but the cost is enormous -- anywhere from $800-$1600 per year per group.
This year, thanks to the generosity of the SCA membership through donations, and from the money raised at the SCA's Agility trial at last year's national, we now have enough money to give the first subsidy -- $500 for each affliate that has or can give proof of a quote (showing they intend to get insurance). While it is not a requirement to have insurance to be an NSR affiliate, it is a good idea to cover yourself somehow. And while $500 will not pay the entire bill for rescuers, it is a start, and will leave them $500 more in their own accounts to go to the dogs.
For all the years I was the SCA's National Rescue Coordinator, I hoped that someday this would be a reality, and there were many times I didn't think we'd get here -- to the beginning of real, solid support for rescuers.
I still can't stop smiling when I think that at the last NSR Board meeting, I was able to make the motion to begin the subsidy program.
So if you've thought of donating, but aren't sure where the money would go, now you know. Grants and subsidies for the bulk of the funds. We will hopefully be giving out $500 to each of the 10 current affiliates, and there are a few others in the wings who are interested in applying. That means our funds will drop (as they should), so it will soon be time to work at raising more funds, so other subsidies can be put into place (time to have an attorney in their state review their forms, spay/neuters, HW tests, or whatever else the affiliates decide as a group should be the next subsidy to work on).
Donate today -- the main page has a donate through paypal button. We are also gearing up for an eBay auction, so take a look at what you might have to donate to your group of choice.
Still Smiling :D ;) :D !