I've added two ways you can participate in helping me with the animal care I'm giving to both cats and the senior animals. You can choose to sponsor the old goat , or be a cat food sponsor . Read more at the links.
Now many of you generously sponsored our long road trip up to get Phinnias, so don't feel you need to donate more [and those Apifera gifts are getting packed this weekend!]. I hope to find a few more senior animals in need of a final hospice home, and will announce it when I do. I want to keep this under control [!] and the goal is to give one-on-one care, without losing focus on my art.
Martyn and I have talked to quite a few people over this year about becoming a 501c, but we keep getting advised not to. Many will tell you how easy it is to be a 501c, but the ramifications of what happens to your farm and personal property if you close down the 501c needs to be measured wisely. If we were a 501c, a designated area of our farm would have to be leased from the 501c, hay and feed would have to be separated, and if the 501c is closed down, back taxes are due, or property can be seized - that includes animals, computers or whatever. Also, 60% of the operating budget must be from donations. It's a full time job.
I've talked to a lot of other people who are doing rescue work without 501c status, and we all seem to agree that a 501c does bring a certain amount of trust from strangers that you are legitamtly using the donated money for the cause. But no one has to give if they don't want to. It takes a lot of time and energy to trap cats [properly], transport animals, feed and care for them, spend time with them, and tender them. I enjoy it, or I wouldn't do it.
So after many discussions over the year, I've decided I'm not going to worry about the people that might not trust my intentions. I will simply continue to be greatful for the kindness of many strangers that do trust me, and also the many clients and art patrons/friends that support my efforts monetarily, but as important, emotionally.
