Would you Fundraise for your pet?

[BowWowMeow]

I'm fortunate enough to have a safety net (including good credit) should anything happen that I couldn't pay for (for my own or my animals' health care). However, some people don't have that luxury and I would not hesitate to help someone out personally, whether it was contributing through buying something or giving money directly to a vet. I have done that many time for dogs in rescue and I would do that for an individual as well if I had extra money and the circumstances warranted it.

I would want a fund set up through a vet's office though just to dismiss any possible accusations of impropriety.

I just walked past a neighbor's house whose roof is literally falling apart. She is a very sweet senior who always gives Rafi a pat or a biscuit. I am right now looking for programs that would help her get a new roof for free.

[W.Oliver]

A facet of the issue is the legality of soliciting donations. From a tax perspective, it would be income, in most states and absolutely federal, unless the donation collector is a registered non-profit. Second, if not a registered 503c non-profit, it could simply be illegal in many local jurisdictions to solicit....and could therefore also be panhandling in effect.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Would it be awful to go door to door selling candy bars to help raise money to save ones pet if one couldn't afford the surgery or treatment? I don't think so, I know I wouldn't be upset if someone showed up at my door doing this. Although I have never heard of this before, I don't frown upon it either.

[JakodaCD OA]

sure if you devote all your time knitting scarves I mean knitting scarves isn't something "I" could make a living at, it's not really steady employment , you might sell one a week or 20 a week..

Dunkin Donuts would be more of a steady work schedule knowing you come home with a paycheck each week..

Self employment is great, I LOVED being my own boss, when I petsat/trained,while I always had money coming in, it burned me out.

Now I work part time, I can call in sick if I want, I can devote ALL my spare time to my dogs, and I do make alot of "stuff" that I sell on the side out of the place I work, heck I am making GOOD money selling canned stuff, salsa's, jellies, sauces..I also happen to knit scarves to keep my hands busy, and actually donate them to the homeless shelters..

The old adage is, you gotta spend some money to make money..If your interested in a way to make some money, pm me, I'd be glad to share my dog treat recipe, that I am telling you I made ALOT of money selling..

SORRY to go OT

[Stevenzachsmom]

I wouldn't fundraise for my own dog. I am a terrible fundraiser. Even for rescues, where I volunteer, I have a very hard time asking for donations. I have no problem donating my own time and money - just not comfortable soliciting from others.

I remember a neighbor telling me that he had once solicited funds for his dog. I'm not sure of the specifics. I believe the ailment may have been kidney related - possible dialysis, but not sure. He also volunteered with a rescue, so may have been aided through them, in the fundraising endeavor. What I do remember is that a LOT of money was raised - so much, that a fund was created to help other dogs in need.

In that case, it seems that what was started for one dog and owner in need really paid off for other dogs as well.

[jocoyn]

If my search dog was injured durnig a search i may accept help for that....but not for a medical condition or non work related injury

[Mrs.K]

So what about police dogs? Do you think it's justified for them to raise the money even though they didn't get injured in the line of duty? Aren't both doing a public service just that one dog is privately owned while the other one isn't?

[Castlemaid]

Originally Posted by jocoyn

If my search dog was injured durnig a search i may accept help for that....but not for a medical condition or non work related injury

But wouldn't your SAR team have insurance or funds set aside to specifically cover such a scenario? That's not the same as fundraising, in my view.

To me, fundraising is actively soliciting donations from others. Getting another job, knitting scarves, etc, is just another way of earning more money to cover bills.

[Mrs.K]

Originally Posted by Castlemaid

But wouldn't your SAR team have insurance or funds set aside to specifically cover such a scenario? That's not the same as fundraising, in my view.

To me, fundraising is actively soliciting donations from others. Getting another job, knitting scarves, etc, is just another way of earning more money to cover bills.

We don't and according to the rest of the team, they think, even on the job, it's their responsibility and not the teams, if I got that right and did not misunderstand. I disagree. I'd love to have a fund set aside for scenarios like that. It happened in the "line of duty" and just because it's a privately owned dog doesn't mean you can't accept help if something happened during a search. Afterall you are already putting so much money into training and doing what you do... it's still a public service and honestly I think the public can give a little back to those dogs whether or not they are privately owned or not. I'd rather donate to a SAR, Police or Therapy dog than a pet dog.

It's always said that they are tools. Well, if you can raise money to buy a trailer, truck or gear for SAR you can raise money to fix that kind of tool as well!

[Liesje]

I would not "fundraise" if that means soliciting donations to cover my personal bills. I would use my credit card, get another credit card, or beg for a small loan from a family member.

I would "fundraise" if that means doing side jobs to cover the costs. Heck I already do that to cover dog training! I do web design on the side to help with my entry fees or if I'm saving for a new puppy.

I don't contribute to campaigns soliciting donations but I of course would help a friend or family member in need as best I could.