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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / August 2007The No Kill Shelter Down The Street
Since returning back home to Houston, we really needed to do BIG grocery shopping. When we do that, DH takes his own shopping cart and heads off to the pet food/products area of the store and fills it up with litter, cat and kitten food to drop by the animal shelter. We had forgotten about their messed up hours, so DH had to leave for work an hour early this morning to make it to the shelter in time to drop off 75lbs. of litter and 40lbs. of food, meaning he'll be home from work extra early today. YAY!!!! -bonbon > Since returning back home to Houston, we really needed to do BIG > grocery shopping. When we do that, DH takes his own shopping cart and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -bonbon Awww...that's really nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten food is something that's always in short supply. I asked our shelter manager for a "wish list" to distribute to friends recently. She asked for things like copy paper, paper towels, hand soap, garden hoses, printer cartridge, things I normally don't think about donating. But the top of the list was LITTER! That's understandable! Sherry > Awww...that'sreally nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten > food is something > that's always in short supply. Our local shelter used to stand outside "Iceland" (It's closed down now so they've stopped doing it) and had a big sign saying they welcomed donations of cat food and litter. Worked wonders. They regularly used to go away with a van load of food and litter sometimes two van loads, people would see the sign then pop a can or two/ a bag of litter/ a box of dry food in their basket and drop it in on the way out. The people who ran the collection told me some people felt their donation was a bit more "real" when they could imagine a cat tucking into the food they gave and also they were told by a couple of people asking for something solid like food and litter rather than money made them seem more "honest" ie they weren't taking the money and running. Also suited the shelter since if everyone had given money (not that they said no to cash obviously) they would still have to drive to the store to get the food anyway. The store manager used to warn them when they were having a "buy one get one free" on any cat related products because people would buy say 10 cans for their cat and think since the other cans were free- it wasn't costing them anything to hand all or some over to the shelter. One time, they told me in a week they had enough tinned cat food from that source for a few months Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs >> Awww...that'sreally nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten >> food is something [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > One time, they told me in a week they had enough tinned cat food from > that source for a few months I've always had a hard time trusting non-profits that have a large number of people in and out with money. It is simply too difficult for them to keep controls over who collects and who spends the money. Every few months you hear about some charity or other that has been ripped off. Yes it happens in business too, but more often in a business there is someone who considers it their money and will go to appropriate lengths to protect it. The main place I'm likely to make contribution is a homeless shelter. I always take them "stuff". Things like socks and towels or food they can't normally get without shopping. I always call them and ask what they need. Its usually things they can't get day old from stores or gleaners. Paper plates and coffee cups. Sugar and Coffee and creamer. Inexpensive toys or games. I would imagine pet shelters could use quite a lot in the way of cleaning supplies as well as litter and food. I know ours does not need pet carriers. They have them stacked sky high out back. Jo >>> Awww...that'sreally nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten >>> food is something >>> that's always in short supply. >I would imagine pet shelters could use quite a lot in the way of cleaning >supplies as well as litter and food. You're right. When my husband went by there this morning, they told him they also could use bleach. I'm thinking they could also no doubt use some rubber gloves, old towels, and things of that nature. It's strictly a non-profit shelter, and I'm sure they'll take what ever they can get. I've still got some superb quality carpeting in the garage as well as some wood. Maybe I'll see what I can put together in the cat tree department. for them. -bonbon >I know ours does not need pet carriers. They have them stacked sky high out >back. > >Jo > You're right. When my husband went by there this morning, they told > him they also could use bleach. I'm thinking they could also no doubt > use some rubber gloves, old towels, and things of that nature. The local shelter is grateful for donations of old sheets and towels. If they are in very good shape, they can be sold in their flea market, if they are not in a very good state, they are used as bedding for the animals, and if they are in a terrible state, they are used for cleaning. I have a bunch to donate, but since I don't have a car, I would have to lug them there on the bus. I just need to get one of those round tuits. ;)  SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. > > You're right. When my husband went by there this morning, they told > > him they also could use bleach. I'm thinking they could also no doubt [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > -- > Marina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. Oh, yes! I forgot about towels/bedding. Don't ever throw away an old towel or comforter, even if it's in very bad shape. The towels they can use for cleanups, and they cut the comforters into quarters. They make nice padding on the cold concrete kennel floors in the winter for the dogs. Sherry > Oh, yes! I forgot about towels/bedding. Don't ever throw away an old > towel or comforter, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > floors in the winter > for the dogs. thanks Sherry I have some old towels that really aren't you know good enough to pass onto the Oxfam shop as well as an old duvet and some old pillows (nothing wrong with them I just replaced them with something better for my neck) and some old clothes that will probably do as cleanups and it never occurred to me that a shelter could make use of them so I'll pass them om Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs > On Tue, 7 Aug 2007 13:26:35 -0700, "jofirey" > <jofirey@hotmail.com> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > together > in the cat tree department. for them. We used to buy the sheepskin sleeping mats and cut them into six pieces for the cages. Perfect size for a cat, easy to clean and sterilize between cats, and reasonably priced. Bet your carpeting would work well as a surrogate cat bed. Pam S. Who donates bleach, paper towels, cat toys, and other supplies whenever possible. >We used to buy the sheepskin sleeping mats and cut them into six >pieces for the cages. Perfect size for a cat, easy to clean and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >Pam S. Who donates bleach, paper towels, cat toys, and other >supplies whenever possible. Thank you for helping them out Pam S. It's so important to help the shelters (even if just a little) if you can swing it. I like your idea about the sheepskin. That's something the pooties can really sink their claws into when they're making invisible bread. -bonbon > snipped > I've always had a hard time trusting non-profits that have a large number of > people in and out with money. It is simply too difficult for them to keep > controls over who collects and who spends the money. snipped > Jo- That's a valid concern. WRT our shelter, it is the most fiscally responsible Board I have ever seen. Even though most of us are friends, or aquaintenances, it takes two, sometimes three, signatures to do *anything*. I like that-- it protects me as well as the money. There are more check/balance safeguards in place than I ever thought. But that protection is only there with check/money *mailed* to the shelter, and is collected by the Board treasurer. So many times people hand over $20, $50, even $100 donations, cash, over the counter to the employees. While the shelter manager is completely trustworthy, she isn't at the counter always. And there have been employees/volunteers who were not trustworthy. Checks, "in kind" donations, or items from the wish-list is the only donation I'd *ever* make at a counter. The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash until they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers would steal from the animals, but it does happen. Sherry >The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash until >they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers >would steal from the animals, but it does happen. > >Sherry We've never given cash as a donation. Heck, we're dang near charity cases ourselves, but DH always finds some extra $ to spend on litter, food, etc. for the shelter. I'm so proud of him. He gives blood regularly too, and is an 0- so they really love to see him coming. -bonbon >>The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash until >>they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > -bonbon What I love to do is now that I an financially supporting my shelter due to the Political BS in Orlando. At my dollar store I get pallets of 10 lb cat litter no scent. Rubber gloves, filter mask, spray bottles, cleaning rags, bleach, cat toys, Meow mix hard food boxes and such. I load up the back of My 07 F 150 I get the guys to stack it full about once a month or so and run it down to the local shelters. I always tell them if they need something call me. I am worried about hurricane season this year. >>>The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash until >>>they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >run it down to the local shelters. I always tell them if they need >something call me. I am worried about hurricane season this year. Matthew, YOU ROCK. I wish my truck was running so we could do more for the shelter. As it is, we can only deliver to them what we can fit into the itty bitty trunk of our Toyota. You keep up the good work, I'm proud of you. -bonbon >>>>The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash until >>>>they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > -bonbon Thank you. But soon I am going to have to go to another store an buy everything. I have sold my stores and the transfer will be complete soon. >> Matthew, YOU ROCK. I wish my truck was running so we could do more >> for the shelter. As it is, we can only deliver to them what we can [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >Thank you. But soon I am going to have to go to another store an buy >everything. I have sold my stores and the transfer will be complete soon. Life is always full of surprises and changes Matthew. That's all a part of the growing process. Best wishes to you. -bonbon > Thank you. But soon I am going to have to go to another store > an buy everything. I have sold my stores and the transfer will > be complete soon. Wow, Mathew, this really is a life change for you. What are you going to do with yourself after the sale is complete? BTW, Thanks for being there for all the kitties. Pam S. who agrees that Mathew ROCKS!! >> Thank you. But soon I am going to have to go to another store an buy >> everything. I have sold my stores and the transfer will be complete soon. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Pam S. who agrees that Mathew ROCKS!! Thank you Pam I am not really sure what I am going to do. I know I can't stay inactive. Since I am in the great home state of newly wed and nearly dead aka Florida. I am thinking about getting involved in either non emergency medical transport or buy into a limousine company. I have a friend who runs one and he is thinking about expanding. There are a few things that are found around each corner in Florida a nursing home, old people and tourist. I am an excellent chef but there is no way I am going to even try to open a restaurant. 99% fail in the first year and I want to slow down a bit 12- 18 hour days are finally catching up to me. I would love to open an old style mom and pop soda fountain shop the ones that we grew up with. The ones with the guy behind the counter being called a soda jerk. There are ice cream shops here but nothing like that anywhere around here. Closest thing we have is a Johnny Rockets or a Sonics but they are not the same close but no cigar as they say. I want to go back to the shelters but the only one I would even think of dealing with has so many volunteers and foster families that there is literally nothing to do and she stopped accepting volunteers. The other shelters are the same way with al the political BS that happened it drew in a flock of people to help out and they have stayed. I just now donate things and money when I can. Matthew kirjoitti: > I want to go back to the shelters but the only one I would even think of > dealing with has so many volunteers and foster families that there is > literally nothing to do and she stopped accepting volunteers. The other > shelters are the same way with al the political BS that happened it drew in > a flock of people to help out and they have stayed. I just now donate > things and money when I can. Start your own shelter. If there are so many volunteers that not all of them can be accepted at the other place, I'm sure there would be enough for yours too so you wouldn't have to work around the clock. And there's always room for another GOOD shelter... And you'd be helping kitties and doggies that can't help themselves, surely there are enough of those around too... SignatureChristine in Laitila, Finland christal63 (at) gmail (dot) com photos: http://s208.photobucket.com/albums/bb108/christal63/ photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/chkr63 > Matthew kirjoitti: >> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > doggies that can't help themselves, surely there are enough of those > around too... Can't trust me I would love to. The shelter that I was financially sponsoring and working at closed due to political BS where I live. I posted several news reports about it and how it has effected the rescue of animals. The current regulations have caused a housing problems at current shelters. The kill shelters are instead on 7 days hold down to 2 or 3 days hold if that. The no kill shelters that can hold 350 max are over 1000 or higher. The political BS is a black eye for animal rescue here all due to some politician that had to listen to the whining complaining a@@holes of the community The nearest place I could open one would be over a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive to and from. I would have to move out there and or find a shelter manager to run the place. Very soon I will not have the finances to do that. They way I was doing it before was I have (had) two retail store and a dollar type store. The money from the dollar store paid my bills, household needs and anything extra the other stores needed. One retail store the profit went directly to the shelter. The other store profits ran the other two >> The board doesn't have any control over what happens to the cash >> until they actually get it. You wouldn't think volunteers [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > -bonbon I must be getting old, it took me a few seconds to parse that last sentance ;-) I can see why he would be popular. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy & Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >> We've never given cash as a donation. Heck, we're dang near charity >> cases ourselves, but DH always finds some extra $ to spend on litter, [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >I must be getting old, it took me a few seconds to parse that last sentance >;-) I can see why he would be popular. LOL! -bonbon >Awww...that's really nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten >food is something >that's always in short supply. The shelter we adopted Five from is always in need of kitten food too, so we use our pet food coupons for that and bring them up a couple of bags now and then. The other thing we started bringing them that they *really* like are multipack dispenser canisters of Clorox (or generic) antiseptic / bleach wipes - *much handier* and less messy to use to clean the cages than liquid bleach. We get them at warehouse clubs and bring up a pack of four canisters to help out. Cash is king and they get some of that too :) But they really like the wipes for cleaning cages, litter pans, etc. Signatureannoyed@net.spammers Craig, Kathi & "Cat Five" the tabby girl "To err is human; to purr, feline." >>Awww...that's really nice. Shelters always need litter! And kitten >>food is something [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >canisters to help out. Cash is king and they get some of that too :) But >they really like the wipes for cleaning cages, litter pans, etc. Thanks for the info. DH did make an extra stop by the store and then the shelter to drop off some bleach. I really like the idea of the disposable wipes. Great insight. -bonbon > Since returning back home to Houston, we really needed to do BIG > grocery shopping. When we do that, DH takes his own shopping cart and [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -bonbon Thank you so much for doing that! Best wishes, Polonca and Soncek |
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