August 2000

The Worst of Times

The funding picture is not completely rosy, however. Even organizations whose support has increased face financial challenges. Carole Sanders notes that the influx of donations precipitated by the news article on Animal Angels has now "dropped off with the exception of our regular [faithful] few."

Shirley McGreal believes that the International Primate Protection League's location makes fundraising harder. South Carolina, she observes, "is not a wealthy state." Additionally, "there are a lot of foundations in North Carolina, but a real dearth in South Carolina. Most of the foundations that do exist have very restricted missions." She also finds that "the direct mail market for animal protection is saturated and there are some very poor quality lists so fundraising through the mail is an increasingly tough challenge."

Nonprofits concerned with certain kinds of animals encounter additional challenges. Marjorie Bender, program coordinator for the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy of Pittsboro, North Carolina, explains, "Rare livestock breeds don't carry the glamour and exotic lure of the conservation of rare wildlife." Janelle Gourley, vice president of the Rebel Oaks Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Inc. in Noble, Oklahoma, agrees: "It is very hard to find grants or funding foundations for exotic animals." She continues, "There are many services [available] to domestic dogs and cats but few to cougars and bears."

Richard and Laura Hoyle face similar financial hurdles for Mini-Pigs, Inc., their Culpeper, Virginia, sanctuary for miniature pigs. Richard Hoyle reports, "What minimal support our sanctuary receives comes primarily from pet pig owners and pig lovers from around the country. Although a number of famous celebrities own potbellied pigs … we have had no luck in being able to plead the pigs' case to any of them."

Hoyle notes that people's perceptions of the animals exacerbate the problem: "Pigs … suffer from a serious PR problem anyway. … The misguided and incorrect image of pigs as filthy, slovenly animals is a serious impediment to raising funds for their rescue." Further, "companion animal rescue organizations often refuse to assist with funding of pig sanctuaries since the animals are legally classified as livestock. Farm animal rescue groups refuse to support their rescue since they are obviously not farm animals."