Chance Favors The Prepared Mind

Would you agree that looking back on how I became involved in my ministry of cats the big hook was my pro-active heart? I believe it

pushed me into doing rescue without a safety net. (Imagine a big heart pushing someone off a cliff.)

Remember that I started by picking up one kitten; then became aware that this was not just an isolated cat or kitten or two and finally accepted that I wouldn’t ignore the situation. The energy draining work of bottle feeding; trapping; socializing and cleaning of traps; cages and carriers made it to the top of my list of things to get used to doing. My “Hands On” education was a point of no return and then focus on organization and refinement of how to do the work followed. It took me many years to get to this point where I have some perspective and useful information to offer. Maybe some of this will help you.

I hope you trust me when I tell you about the next step in this Mission: You have to become financially organized. It’s going to scare you when you see the costs involved in every little step from trapping to adoption; screening and delivery. It’s going to infuriate you when the Emergency Vet won’t even examine a dying cat because you have no money to pay up front. It’s going to amaze you when you discover your talents; skills and inner strength that will get you to the point where you will consistently make a positive contribution to Animal Welfare.

Don’t kid yourself; even Adoptions are expensive from the cost of transporting everything to the adoption site to the items you’ll need for the Adoption Event. Food and water bowls to actual food and sometimes having to buy bottled water are sometimes only barely covered if you get donations. Bedding and Laundry have to be factored into costs.

You can’t imagine how tired I felt and I have to tell you, that’s not the worst part of this work. The paperwork and Finances are the worst part of this for me. Medical emergencies can’t wait when you have a cat that needs to go to a clinic or it may not survive. You’ll have to be bolder than you can ever imagine. The worst part for me has been all about the money and asking for it because money does talk and I was shy! You’ll need to overcome shyness to ask for money for the cats and their needs.

The managing of money for your Animal Advocacy will help you become a better money manager personally as well. I‘ve learned to write a budget; focus on what I need now and will need later and walk through the process and plan for the needs of each event. I grew as a person because I had to do all those things that I didn’t like but had to do so that I could save a life. I tried to do everything correctly or at least to the best of my ability. If you don’t give this your best then don’t jump in or you will drown: no victim mentality is allowed. You’ll learn not to freak out too much when you realize you didn’t factor something in simply because you never did this before and didn’t expect the expense. You will learn won’t you?

If you don’t slow down and address the financial part of the work you’ll sabotage your work and the rescue; TNR or colony caretaking and hurt the cats in the process. One thing I will beg of you is that you remain ethical. It’s easy to think that no one will know how you spend the money that people generously donate for the cats but YOU will know and eventually poor ethics have a way of reaching the light of day.

Chin up, your Angels will find you. In my hour of most need a woman walked up to me and donated $1,000 in cash. I didn’t have the 501c3 anymore and couldn’t even give her a tax letter. These are the moments when you feel validated as a human being because you have to admit that people like and respect you and the work you’re doing. You owe it to them to be honest and hardworking. From way back in High School everyone always told me, “Don’t ever change the way you are.” When you start feeling a little more self-confident remember not to change the way you are – stay humble and remember where you came from. In life all you have is your word and your honor. It will serve you well as you establish your reputation through the people who donate; foster and support you and your work.

In closing, accept the fact that the topic of money has to be addressed even though it’s off putting; stressful and boring to discuss. The need for money will not go away. This is the Business part of the work and it has to be planned for. You must become a good money manager and get creative about how to generate money for your cause. All is not gloom and doom; you have resources inside of yourself as well as in the library that you can use. First sit down and look at your Project and what you need now and later. Look at the whole picture and the most seemingly insignificant detail: Cleaning supplies can quickly become a major issue and so can laundry.

Look at your skills because your creativity is a great asset. Plan for fundraising events and donation drives and other ways to generate income, with a few like-minded friends this is a fun process and creates a lot of good ideas to put into action immediately! Always put plans into action immediately so that you take advantage of opportunities like weather and availability of site; holidays and other factors as well as enthusiasm.

Research is a skill and you can develop it. Look at other Successful Groups for an idea about what to expect and what works. For the Individual Rescuer this is overwhelming but there are some resources out there and with a little creativity you can do some fundraising.

You have to act “as if” you’re a 501c3 so that if you when apply for non-profit status you already have good practices in place. Get a group of friends together to act as if they’re your Board of Directors. Carrying the load will be easier when you can delegate some of the work. What friends can you rely on who share your mission and grit? They are your immediate Tribe, find them. If you’re willing to do the work people will eventually notice and your global tribe will find you. It takes a Village - yours will find you. You can have this Big Dream of making a positive difference; just use your head as well as your heart.