How do you fund your rescue? Do you do fundraisers, have a dedicated group of donors, sponsors, or a source for grants?

I helped place 57 animals into new homes last year. Most of that was with my own funds, but some of it was also with the help of donations and fees. Each rescue does something different. One thinks I'm nuts for NOT charging an adoption fee for most of the animals, even if it's just $5 for a slider (because she wants to make sure the adopter isn't just trying to get an animal "cheap", another used to be appauled that anyone would charge a surrender or adoption fee, but by the time all was said and done, he starting charging them once he'd been in rescue long enough (and he was a very picky about to whom his animals went). One won't adopt to first-time reptile owners, but I will if I feel the person has done enough research and is competent (half my sliders get adopted this way - and they're hard enough to find homes for without excluding new keepers). Some don't use adoption contracts, I do. I've worked with all of them, though, despite our differences, when the needs of the animal dictated that I work with another rescue. The point is, we work together despite our differences. Calling another rescue a dealer just because you don't agree with their methods is counter-productive.

Katrina