August 2000

The Best of Times

Many groups report that they are receiving increased support. Michael Mountain, president of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, notes, "Our donations are up 34% so far this year, over last year. Donations have been up every year since our membership program began in 1991."

Defenders of Wildlife president Rodger Schlickeisen relates that his Washington, D.C.-based organization has experienced "record growth to over 400,000 members and supporters." From Sausalito, California, Susan Andres, director of marketing, communications, and membership for The Marine Mammal Center, reports that support for the center "has increased over the years since its inception in 1975. In 1989, our revenue was one million dollars. In 1998, revenue was 4 million dollars."

Andres attributes the rise to the public's growing knowledge and use of the center's programs. "The demand for our rehabilitation services has increased as more people and marine mammals come into contact with each [other] on our California coastline; awareness of our science program has deepened interest in supporting advancing knowledge of marine mammal health and ocean health; and our education programs are in higher demand, [and] thus receive more support, as they fill a valuable need for marine science education among school age kids."

Dr. Nicholas B. Carter, executive director of Border Collie Rescue, Inc., of Melrose, Florida, also credits publicity for the growth in contributions to that organization. National attention given to the nonprofit's Birdstrike Control Program, which trains border collies to chase birds away from airport runways, has both "helped focus the spotlight" on the Birdstrike Control Program and "allowed more people to become familiar with our overall Border Collie rescue program."

Media coverage helped Animal Angels of Paradise, Texas, as well. President and director Carole Sanders reports, "1999 was the best [year] by far due to exposure given us by a newspaper article in February of that year. Donations came in hand over fist for the rest of the year."

Cats Exclusive, Inc. in Margate, Florida, has also attracted press attention. According to Ann Seidner, the organization's development chair, "Our shelter is unique because the cats (once they have been spayed/neutered and received all their shots) roam free until they are adopted. They sleep in bookshelves, on couches, in cat trees, etc. At any given time, we usually have 60-80 cats at our facility. We have been featured in the local newspapers because the cats are not caged."

Bob Silver, secretary-treasurer of the Horse Protection Association of Florida, Inc., attributes increased support for the Miami-based organization to four factors:

(a) people love and admire the grace and majesty of horses, (b) people are grateful to know that there is an organization devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of horses that have been subjected to cruelty, starvation, abuse or abandonment—this is our primary mission, (c) the truly excellent job that has been done by [executive director] Morgan Silver and the reputation that she has established over the past ten years in this work and (d) the fact that every contributor  always receives an individualized "Thank You" letter for every contribution.

Some organizations have received more support from foundations. Shirley McGreal, chairwoman of the International Primate Protection League in Summerville, South Carolina, reports, "More foundations are moving into the animal welfare/animal rights area. We recently received a challenge grant from the Arcus Foundation for construction of an animal care center for our sanctuary gibbons. This is a real incentive to all of us to meet the match and donors feel they are getting double the value of their donations." Bequests have become another source of funding for the sanctuary, which is now 27 years old.