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Fall Auction Wrap-Up and 2024 Calendar Sale
OCTOBER 2023
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October Co-Founder's Note:
Wrapping Up Our Latest Tour, and A New Solution for a Common Problem
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We just got home from our Virginia Shelter tour. We visited six shelters and met with one nonprofit building a shelter in 2024. We delivered donations, learned their story, and thanked them for their work. Going forward we'll continue to support them with networking, resources, and our Instagrant Program. It was an exciting tour for me, as Virginia is my home state.
See highlights from our Virginia tour here!
| Every time we get back from tour, we add more ideas to the Resource Guide, and this tour was no exception. There was one unique idea that I want to share, since wineries seem to be popping up in every state, and other farmers may be interested as well. At Good Luck Cellars in the town of Kilmarnock on Virginia’s Northern Neck, there are twelve hound dogs who patrol the vines in four different areas, protecting them from deer, turkeys, possums, and raccoons. |  | Most of the dogs were rescued from local municipal shelters. The vineyard has used the dogs for eight years and some of the original dogs are still there. The ones we met were happy and healthy. The dogs have large, raised dog houses, unlimited food/water, and the freedom to run and play. They are vaccinated every year, receive monthly heartworm and flea/tick preventatives. The four areas each have their own invisible fence and when each dog arrived it was carefully trained. Each quadrant has one male and two females (all spayed and neutered). It was fun to see dogs romping through the vines to greet us when we visited. All of the dogs are featured on their website and on a tribute wall inside the tasting room. |  | As we all wrestle with the current crisis of too many dogs and not enough adopters, we need to look for new ideas. This is a win-win situation that could be replicated all over. The dogs protect the vines, the vineyard owner cares for the dogs (and I’m sure writes off the cost!), and the public enjoys the novelty of seeing dogs at the vineyards. Hounds are the perfect fit for this life, especially ex-hunting dogs like the ones currently flooding into so many shelters. Anyone who has ever fostered a hound dog knows that many have spent their lives living outside and adjusting to indoor life isn’t easy. In a place with a moderate climate like the Northern Neck of Virginia, this is a beautiful solution. | |
Our next tour will take place in the coming months. We plan to visit TN, AL, MS, LA (for the first time!), and possibly KY and WY. If you know of shelters in those states who would benefit from connecting with us, please connect us!
Email WhoWillLetTheDogsOut@gmail.com.
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Until Each One Has A Home,
Cara Achterberg
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COMING UP:
2024 Calendar Sale
Each year we create a calendar featuring some of the beautiful dogs we have met on our shelter tours. This year, because we had such a successful online auction, we are selling them at cost (aka, we don't make any money off of them!).
The goal is to get as many calendars out as possible to raise awareness about the incredible dogs and remarkable heroes we meet on our travels. We believe it is possible to let the dogs out-- but first people need to know what is happening in our shelters and what they can do about it! The calendar is one more tool to do that.
Just $15 (including shipping!)
BUY YOUR CALENDAR HERE
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From the Blog:
A Better Option for Funding Spay/Neuter
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Too often, the places that need money most are the least able to ask for it. The biggest grant-giving organizations require extensive applications that require records and budgets and tax forms and lengthy explanations and reports. Their ‘grant window’ is usually once or twice a year.
My beef is just this—the places that desperately need money that could make a difference to spay/neuter, pay extensive vet bills, purchase preventative and vaccines, or make capital improvements that would save lives—are the places least able to apply for them.
Continue Reading...
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Our Second Annual Fall Auction:
ALMOST $14,000 RAISED!
THANK YOU!
Our second online auction was a resounding success because of you - our savvy supporters who recognize an awesome deal and cause; our generous donors of varied and high value goods and services; and our own mighty, hard-working Auction Team. Because of you, over $13,000 was raised to 1) to replenish our shelter Instagrant fund and 2) to fund future shelter tours. Our tours permit us to meet more shelter heroes, the wonderful dogs for whom they care and to bring them hope, supplies and awareness. Thank you all! We are so grateful.
Follow WhoWillLettheDogsOut.org to see the impact of your generosity at work in the coming months.
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RESOURCE GUIDE HIGHLIGHT:
Holiday-Themed Fundraising Ideas!
The WWLDO Resource Guide is full of great ideas to help rescue professionals, volunteers, and advocates save lives. Here are just a few ways shelters can raise funds and awareness about homeless animals during the holiday season.
Mix and Match Holiday Cookie Sale
Invite volunteers who love to bake to whip up batches of their favorite cookies. Then hold a cookie sale either as part of a local event like a farmer’s market, holiday fair, or tree lighting, or as an individual event at the shelter. Provide empty boxes for shoppers who prepay and then let them pick and choose from the wide variety of cookies provided by volunteers. Alternatively, shelter volunteers can prepare the cookie boxes in advance and encourage online orders ahead of the holidays. Shelters should be sure to offer the necessary alerts regarding food allergies etc.
Pictures with Santa
Pet photo shoots with Santa are a huge hit during the holidays. All it takes is someone with a good cell phone, a volunteer to dress up as Santa, and an assistant to help set up the shoots and deal with the paperwork. It's important to have a stash of squeaky toys and treats on hand to grab a pet's attention while posing for the camera. Utilizing a local photographer to offer professional images is always a win-win for both the shelter and the photographer. Many rescues and shelters partner with local pet-friendly businesses such as PetSmart to offer pet photos with Santa. The shelters provide the volunteers to run the shoots and the stores provide the space. Since there's lots of traffic though these stores around the holidays, it's a great way to raise funds and gain exposure for homeless animals.
Stuff a Pet’s Stocking
In the weeks leading up to Christmas shelter staff can hang holiday stockings on the doors of each kennel and invite supporters to drop pet gifts or treats at the shelter to fill the stockings. Shelters can promote the Stuff the Stockings campaign on social media and remind followers that they can order gifts online and have them shipped to the shelter. At the Lee County Humane Society, AL the filled stockings go home with each dog to help him or her celebrate the holidays in a new home.
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Dog Film Festival:
Amber's Halfway Home
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Our Emmy nominated short documentary about Halfway Home Animal Rescue in Greenfield, Tennessee, was part of the Dog Film Festival a few weeks ago on Long Island, NY. In 2024, it will tour the country as part of the festival and be shown in art film houses all over the US and Canada. We’ll share the full schedule when it becomes available. Meanwhile, if you’d like to learn more or request that the Dog Film Festival to come to your town, visit The Dog Film Festival website.
Click Here to View the Documentary!
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CALL TO ACTION:
Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
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Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of dogs? As a Shelter Liaison you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Shelter Liaisons play a crucial role in virtually supporting our shelter partners. As a Shelter Liaison, you will be monitoring our shelter partners' posts on social media and sharing their news, ideas, and needs.
Please click the “Get Involved” link below or visit our website if you’d like to join our team!
Get Involved
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