The ?10th Life? Sanctuary, Inc.
provides lifetime care for sick, unwanted and feral cats
NEWSLETTER and DONATION UPDATE, June 7, 2009
Dear Cat Lovers:
Before I begin, I want to thank all of you who have sent us donations -- particularly those members of the American Cat Fanciers Association. We really appreciate your support.
Donations The following donations were made between May 10, 2009 (when we started our internet marketing campaign) and May 31, 2009:
New Cat Housing
Goal: $ 21,000 for 140 cats
Donors: 62
Total: $ 2,678.00
% of Goal: 7.84%
Our Other Needs
Goal: 18,000 per month
Donors: 37
Total: $6,927.00
% of goal: 38.48%
Total Donors 99
Total Donations $ 9,605.00
What is surprising to me is that of the hundreds of people who have given us their cats, very few have made donations to us during this campaign. Is it because they are suffering terribly from this economy, or is it a case of ?out of sight, out of mind?? They all know that we rely on donations to provide lifetime care for their cats ? and that we need additional money to grow. We do not require them to make on-going donations, but you?d think if they gave us their cats that they?d contribute something for their care. Oh well, maybe they?ll send us something when the economy improves.
Most of the 99 donors are strangers ? but are obviously cat lovers who appreciate what we are doing. Thank you, again!
Please, reach out The whole idea behind our internet marketing plan was to have donors reach out to their friends via the internet and ask their friends to make a donation ? and then have these friends reach out to their friends, etc. Obviously, since most of the current donors are strangers to us, some donors have done reached out? please continue reaching out!
But not enough donors have spent any time asking their friends to help. I know a few people who have not had the ability to make a donation, but have, instead, asked their friends to help us (and we thank them for doing that).
For us to raise all the needed funds, we really need to build a base of 5,000 or more donors that we can count on to make small donations several times a year -- large donations will also accepted!
Please understand that at the present time it costs us approximately $1 per cat, per day just to operate ? and we have about 600 cats at the sanctuary. This figure includes food, litter, bleach, paper towels, vet care, labor, phone, garbage pickup, rent, etc. This $1 per day per cat does not include any money for growth (or money for buying the land we are now renting).
Just to put this in perspective, it costs us a little over $1,200 per week for food, litter, bleach, paper towels, and gas to pickup and deliver these items to the sanctuary.
In the past, before the Bernie Maddoff scandal last winter, we had several donors we could turn to when we were short of cash. But, these people lost a lot of money to Mr. Maddoff and can no longer help us. So far, the only effect of being short of money, has been that we?ve had to delay paying some bills. Fortunately, with the donations from our ?regular? donors and donors who have contributed to our ?Other Needs? fund, we have always had enough food and litter ? our cats will never starve. Our veterinarians have also been very helpful extending credit to us when we have a sick cat? but the vet bills will have to be paid, sometime.
Late last month, we were fortunate to receive $5,000 (of the $6,927) from one donor so we could buy food and litter. We need to find more people like this or find a lot more donors.
So, please send what you can ? and ask your friends to donate, too.
FDA approves cobra-venom drug There is some good news: the manufacturer of the modified cobra-venom drug that may treat feline leukemia (FeLV) has just received FDA approval to sell the drug over the counter (!) for pain reduction in humans and animals. I spoke to the manufacturer the other day to find out when it will be available? probably this fall. They have to set up a distribution network, figure out packaging, and set the price.
They can?t make any other claims -- but revenue from over the counter sales may fund the research necessary to make the claim that the new drug can treat FeLV (or other feline viruses).
As soon as the drug is available in stores and vet offices, I?ll let you know.
Monthly updates and reminders I know I promised to make weekly reports on our progress in raising funds from our internet marketing program, but because receiving these donations has been very slow, I?ve had to spend much more time finding funds the old fashioned way ? asking people face to face. Consequently, I will provide monthly (instead of weekly) updates.
In the meantime, please remember that we still have to feed our furry residents and pay our bills? So, please, if you can, make several donations: one for ?New Cat Housing? and another for ?Our Other Needs.?
We really need your support during these troubling times. Please make a donation. You can do it right now, online, with a debit or credit card: just click here.
http://www.10thlife.org/10pay.asp
Or, mail a check to 10th Life, P.O. Box 970456, Boca Raton, FL 33497. If you mail a check, please include your email address.
Thank you.
