LIFETIME CARE

October 2, 2005

“Lifetime Care” means that we will provide food, shelter, medical care, and a quality of life that keeps our animals active and “happy” (i.e., stress free) in a safe environment for life.

            We are also a “no-kill” organization (see “No-Kill Policy” elsewhere on this website). There are, however, some exceptions to our No-Kill Policy. One of these exceptions relates to “Lifetime Care.”

Lifetime care is contingent upon future funding

“What happens if you run out of money to operate the sanctuary? What happens to the animals?”

Once a cat becomes a “10th Lifer” we become responsible for its well being. Part of being responsible for its well being is to make sure we have enough money to operate.

            We don’t have a million dollars in the bank nor any kind of endowment to guarantee that we will always have money to operate (we wish we did!).

            So, we have two choices:

1. Charge enough money at the time of admission to provide lifetime care for the animal, or

2. Establish an ongoing fund-raising program to provide all the necessary funds to operate.

            Few people have enough money to pay for lifetime care up front. So there is only one real choice: To establish an ongoing fund-raising campaign.

            Our program includes soliciting donations from individuals, applying for grants from foundations, governments, and corporations, and conducting individual projects to generate funds.

            Our plan is to continue and expand our ongoing fund-raising efforts. It’s a responsible plan. We’d be irresponsible if we didn’t do it.

But, the question stands: “What happens to our animals if we don’t raise enough money to operate?”

            If, after cutting all operating costs to a bare minimum, we find that we still don’t have enough money to operate, and we find that the only solution is to shut down, then we will try to find homes or other organizations to take our animals.

            Failing that, we will euthanize them. We will not let them starve to death.

People who surrender animals to us should realize that there are no guarantees in life. Banks fail and endowments can get destroyed in stock market plunges. We will do the best we can, we will make our best efforts. But, the reality of providing lifetime care for our animals is contingent upon future funding.

            The best way to ensure that our cats live a long time at our sanctuary is to participate in our ongoing fund-raising campaigns.