THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for making our first Online Auction such a success – donors, buyers, volunteers, and most especially Lindsay Kohr, who headed up our auction, and Karen Alden and Becky Zarrella who helped her with everything! We learned a lot and are already making plans for next year.

Special thanks to the following organizations and people who donated items for the auction: Max & Neo, Marcia Bates, Longwood Gardens, Massanutten Water Park, International Spy Museum, Sharon McDowell, Anna Keefe, Becky Zarella, Shenandoah Dog Friendly Rentals, Patty Larson, Karen Alden, Caninus Collars, Bark Box, The Dog Store, Snacks By Jax, Chewy, Ronni Casey, Nancy Slattery, Jona French, Nick Achterberg, Rainbow Dust Portraiture, Lindsay Kohr, Bethany Beach Books, Sea Level Designs, Sodel Concepts, Meadow Farms, Good Earth Market, Elder Pine Brewing, Famous Dave’s BBQ, Weis Markets, Giant, Rite Aid, Soulshine Boutique, Cabot Cheese, Fisher’s Popcorn, and Melissa Mackey.

When you encounter these people, please thank them again for us, and consider patronizing these wonderful businesses that support the work of WWLDO.

Online auctions are a great way for any shelter/rescue organization to raise money. We used Betterworld as our auction server, but there are many other fundraising sites that offer auction services. We’ve listed a few of them, plus lots of other fundraising ideas, in our Resource Guide.

And while we’re saying thank you, here’s one more…..

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Next Shelter Tour!

Our next tour begins October 25 and we’ll be driving our new vehicle, generously donated by Max & Neo. Hopefully, we’ll have our new wrap on the vehicle so you’ll see us coming, but most importantly, we’ll have plenty of room to bring donations.

If you’d like to purchase something for us to take to the shelters, you can shop our Amazon wishlist or donate and we will purchase items for you as we reload along the way.

The tour is still developing, but so far we have stops in WV and KY, and may add stops in southern Illinois and Missouri, Arkansas, and possibly Tennessee. If you know of a shelter/rescue in any of those states that would welcome a visit from us, please email cara@whowillletthedogsout.org.

Shelter visits are at the heart of what we do. Not only do we bring donations and publicity, we develop a relationship with the organizations we visit that continues after the visit. WWLDO volunteers offer grant-writing assistance, networking, and ideas for resources, shelter practices, fundraising, community connections, and more. Plus, we continue to monitor our shelter/rescue partners celebrating their successes and sharing their needs. (If you’d like to be a shelter liaison for one or more of our partners, apply here.)

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GRANTS

The Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fund

Funding Opportunity for Virginia-based Rescues Only – Applications due October 20, 2022.

The Ursula Landsrath Animal Rescue Fundwas founded in 2019 as a tribute to Ursula—a fashion model and entrepreneur—and a steadfast supporter of animal welfare.

Eligibility:must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal welfare organization in good standing with the IRS and incorporated and operational in Virginia.

Grantmaking Priorities: spay/neuter & TNR programs for feral cats; emergency medical needs & emergency repairs to facilities; public outreach and education; and regional animal assistance organizations providing support to smaller, local animal rescues.

Pre-Application Workshop Video:https://youtu.be/xz5ALlZbSG

Grant Size:from $1,000 to $5,000. ($50,000-$70,000 will be available)

Application Instructions:click hereto set up an account and access the application through the Community Foundation’s portal.

Questions?Contact Nicole Acosta, Vice President of Grants and Nonprofit Programs, atnicole@communityfoundationlf.orgor 703-779-3505, x3.

Petfinder Foundation Grants

If you are a Petfinder member who is actively posting pets on their website, don’t miss out on these grant opportunities.

Types of organizations funded: municipal and private agencies who agree to provide data on intake, adoption, and euthanasia.

Types of grants and due dates:

· Cat Enrichment: Grant range: $100-$1,000. Awarded monthly until funds used.

· Senior Pet Adoption Assistance: Up to $1,000 awarded monthly until funds are depleted.

· Dog Field Trips/Short Term Fostering: Amount: $500 for purchase of supplies; must complete Maddie’s Fund or other training course.

· Dogs Playing for Life Program Mentorship grants:Amount: up to $1,000 for tuition for one staff member.

To become a member and apply for a grant, go herehttps://petfinderfoundation.com/and click on “For Grantees”.

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FUNDRAISING Ideas

Partner with Anthony’s

Is there an Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and Wings near you? They will host a fundraising event for you and give you 20% of sales for your event. Contact them at ACFP.com. Select a date, then heavily market, advertise, and invite family and friends. Their pizza and wings are delicious! Would be a win-win for all. Works for carryout food too. If there is no Anthony’s near you, ask an eatery that is.

Halloween Costume Contest

Host a Halloween pet or child costume contest/parade. Participants can pay a nominal fee in advance of the event. Invite a few local officials to be the judges.  Ask for prize donations of gift cards or whacky fun items. Have several prize categories – funniest, cutest, most creative, best doggie/owner, etc.  Focus on engaging the local community, businesses, and elected officials to raise awareness of the need for donations, volunteers, and fosters.  

Barking Beauty Pageant

Founded in 2006, The Barking Beauty Pageant is a not-for-profit event that has earned thousands for our affiliated charities.  Patterned after human beauty pageants, the Barking Beauty Pageant is the original beauty pageant event for dogs complete with a Crown, Medals, Banners and beautiful gifts & notoriety from event sponsors, all while supporting worthwhile causes!

The Barking Beauty Pageant seeks to provide a fun, bonding, and learning experience for the contestant dogs and their parents, while providing a unique entertainment experience for the spectating audience, and an opportunity for all to contribute to a deserving local pet charity.

To find out how to set up your own pageant, visit the Barking Beauty Pageant website to learn more.

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Idea of the Month

Stuffed Animal Adoption Event

(This great idea comes from Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue)

The rescue held a ‘CAT-urday’ at their local library. Instead of real cats, they brought stuffed cats available for adoption. Along with each adoption, the children got a carrier, an official certificate, and a Caring for your Kitty coloring book. They also got temporary Cat-toos, made a cat toy, and played in a cat play area. We think this is an awesome opportunity for a dual-purpose fundraiser and a community education event. It’s a great way for the local shelter to engage with the community, share what they do, educate about humane care, raise a little money, and possibly recruit volunteers. You could bring both stuffed dogs and cats, and tweak the event with dog-themed ideas too.

The children were also able to color pictures of cats, get a temporary CAT-too, make a cat toy, and play in the cat play area!

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Until each one has a home,

Cara (and team WLLDO)

If you’d like to learn more, subscribe to this blog. And help us spread the word by sharing this post with others. CLICK HERE to find out more about Who Will Let the Dogs Out.

You can also help us raise awareness by following us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok!

Learn more about what is happening in our southern shelters and rescues in the book, One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues (Pegasus Books, 2020). It’s the story of a challenging foster dog who inspired me to travel south to find out where all the dogs were coming from. It tells the story of how Who Will Let the Dogs Out began. Find it anywhere books are sold. A portion of the proceeds of every book sold go to help unwanted animals in the south.

For more information on any of our projects, to talk about rescue in your neck of the woods, or become a WWLDO volunteer, please email whowillletthedogsout@gmail.com or carasueachterberg@gmail.com.