I feel I need to do something!!!

Hello,
Ever since I registered on this site, ehich was yesterday, I fell in love with it. Reading some of these sad stories is tearing my heart out!!!
I have been on this site at work and I can't get of it i am addicted!!!.
Anyway!! I want to start an organization of somekind to help these homeless animals. Something like petfinder.com or a donation center where all proceeds are distributed to shelters or a database organization where people call me and I find the proper animal for them SOMETHING!!!!

Any ideas??

Nikki

Honestly the best thing to do is to start volunteering for another organization in your area. See what they do and what is needed and learn the ropes a bit before you start anything yourself.

I can relate to your feeling of needing to do something and would also suggest starting with volunteering with a shelter or rescue group near you.
I've been volunteering with a small rescue/TNR group since last fall and it's been a great experience - difficult at times seeing all the cats in need, but mostly rewarding knowing I'm at least doing something. Good luck!

Originally Posted by lovemykats

Hello,
Ever since I registered on this site, ehich was yesterday, I fell in love with it. Reading some of these sad stories is tearing my heart out!!!
I have been on this site at work and I can't get of it i am addicted!!!.
Anyway!! I want to start an organization of somekind to help these homeless animals. Something like petfinder.com or a donation center where all proceeds are distributed to shelters or a database organization where people call me and I find the proper animal for them SOMETHING!!!!

Any ideas??

Nikki

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Nikki....it's great you want to get involved....but there are many ways without having to start your own organization. Here are some ideas:

1. Join a transport group that transports dogs and cats from kill shelters to rescues.

2. Volunteer at a local shelter/rescue group...either you can help by socializing cats, fostering cats/kittens (VERY NEEDED during the summer months), helping at adoption events.

3. Volunteer with a TNR feral cat group....you can help with trapping and/or you can volunteer at a monthly spay clinic.

4. Assist individuals on places like Craigslist. Many people on free message boards need help in placing their cats/dogs...oftentimes they are unaware of low cost clinic options or the fact that offering a dog or cat for "free" isn't a good idea.

Katie

Yep Katie has it pegged. Make a difference in your neck of the woods, and once you have it down what is needed and how to go about it then do something online-

If you want to do something immediate, contact your local vets office and ask them if you can set up a fund for people needing health care for their cats and not having the money. The organize fundraisers, car washes, garage sales, bake sales etc and put the money into that fund. BUT make a criteria out about who qualifies for this fund, or else you may be sorry you started this-



Thanks for caring, so many don't-



You can also be a subscriber to the forums and help keep us going as well if you like-

Good for you! And what the others have said is an excellent idea.

I like to think i do my bit by helping our organisation over here called " The Cats Protection".

I pay a yearly membership, along with selling their raffle tickets, buying their christmas cards, diaries etc.., and they usually ask for more donations especially when it's kitten season to help spay and neuter and give them their shots.

The Cats Protection also ask volunteers to foster cats and kittens - which I did for a while while I could afford to - especially if their rehoming centres are full (Mostly kitten season) or to take in a cat who has come form a home in which their owner has died etc. There are various organisations, one in the UK called P.A.T. (pets as therapy) which our local CPL got incvolved with, by taking cats to homes for the elderly or disabled, mentally or physically... where the cats are literally just loved and cuddled all day. That way, they're helping cats who have been mistreated or are nervous strengthen their character, and it's good for the people they visit too. Perhaps that would be another avenue for you to explore?

The problem there would be i wouldn't want to give them back But do you know what, it's got me thinking now?!.

If i did something temporary like that they would have to be kept in a seperate room because i couldn't stress Rosie out again

I wouldn't recommend starting your own organization. Most areas already have several small organizations that are doing a lot of the same things and competing with one another for donations and whatnot. Plus, frankly, starting a nonprofit is a pain in the butt and I can't recommend doing it unless it's really the only way to accomplish what you want.

Instead, it would be better to find an organization that can make use of your help, whatever it is that you can/will offer. I think in general we accomplish a lot more when people join forces and work together instead of everyone doing their own thing.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

The problem there would be i wouldn't want to give them back

But do you know what, it's got me thinking now?!.

If i did something temporary like that they would have to be kept in a seperate room because i couldn't stress Rosie out again

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Fosters should be kept in a separate room initially anyway, as they may either have health issues that could be passed on to yours, and also till you know they are not going to hide and get stuck somewhere (a lot easier to confine them in one room), they cant get out of your house and that they are not going to attack your own cat.

Also, out of interest, do you pay membership fees to CP's headquarters or to a local branch? I give my money to my local branch so i know it is going on the animals, as you dont know if money given to HQ will actually filter down to the shelters, as some are self funding.

LilleCat, can you post some details of P.A.T. I am in the UK, but have never heard of them. It sounds like something worthwhile to help with, even though i prob do my bit anyway.

Susan,
Definitely start by volunteering somewhere! The intricacies of starting your own rescue are incredible -- and expensive too! You need more than just your home to run a rescue, especially LOTS of individual rooms/cages/facilities for the different cats. EVERY shelter needs volunteers - start there, and you'll be loved forever by the cats and people too!