We, and the dogs, need you more now than ever!

Covid is putting such an emotional and financial strain on everyone.   Some people are surrendering their pets because they can't afford them, some just open the door and let them loose.   We see it on both ends.  Our hearts go out to the humans that are struggling. FTF assisted with a pop up food bank in the city for Thanksgiving bringing canned goods for families and food for their pets.   We will be there again for Christmas.  We are still here for our canine companions who find themselves without a home and don't understand what is happening.   

Rescuing dogs can be emotionally difficult in the beginning but the endings are so worth it.   Fortunately, the majority are happy endings.  Shebah and her family were strays found in Tunica, MS a year ago. Shebah thought her babies would be safe under a fallen barbed wire fence covered by some brush.   That's where her rescue journey started and their new life began. All of them are snuggled in loving homes of their own now.   But there is so much more that has to happen before dogs and puppies can get to that happy ending.    This year our Giving Tuesday fundraiser is driven by the "behind the scenes" costs that many people may not think about. The things that cost a lot of money to keep us open, running, and saving more dogs.

Fetching Tails Foundation is a 501c3 non-breed specific rescue based out of Itasca, Illinois. We are committed to saving the lives of our canine companions regardless of breed, age, or physical ability.    Our funds come from people like you who are passionate about dogs.   We have all been hit hard this year with the pandemic.   FTF, like many rescues, has not been able to hold  fundraising events that are so important to our financial life line.

Here are just a few of the things that we need in order to keep the doors open:

1. Technology. It takes a lot to keep 2,000+ dogs, foster homes, volunteers, applications, supporters, and more organized! It couldn't be done effectively without the help of technology. Fetching Tails uses an application management site, canine database, auction & fundraising tool, website manager, email management platform, donor database, donation platforms, and much more to stay organized. We spend over $6,000 every year on technology to keep us organized and maintain open lines of communication.
2. Insurance. Fetching Tails spends over $8,000 annually to insure all of our dogs, transport vehicle, drivers, facility, and organization to be protected from accidents. While we do everything in our power to prevent accidents from happening, we also need to be prepared for when they do occur!
3. Property. Did you know that Fetching Tails rents an intake facility? That's right! There is a building where we take many of our new dogs to get to know them  a little before placing them in an appropriate foster home and a place to store all of our supplies. That means rent, utilities, maintenance, and regular cleaning, adding up to over $25,000 annually.  In addition, we also have a transport van!  Gas, maintenance, registration fees, and more for another $7,500.
4. Routine Animal Care.  All of our dogs have to eat!  They need collars, harnesses, leashes, winter gear, monthly heartworm & flea/tick prevention, food bowls, beds, crates, treats, toys... you name it!  Many of our dogs require grooming and sometimes training before adoption.   All of you pet parents know how much it costs to have a dog; now multiply that by 100!  Regular animal care & supplies amounts to $30,000 and climbing each year.    
5. Medical Care. This is the largest expense,  which is why you'll see us fundraising for this more often than not. On a normal month with no big surprises, Fetching Tails spends over $20,000 on regular vetting.  That consists of intake/annual exams, spay/neuter procedures, GI parasite/heartworm testing, microchipping, and routine vaccinations.  However,  FTF is far from typical!  We love to take on medical cases, the ones who need help more urgently than others.   We've seen dogs with Heartworm disease, Parvovirus, dogs who have been hit by cars, dogs with extreme URIs requiring hospitalization, cancer, broken bones, amputations... you name it and watch the bills climb! So far in 2020 we've already spent over $200,000 on medical care for our precious pups and we still have 2 months left.

As you can see, there's plenty going on that we don't share on social media, and this is not an all inclusive list!  Our adoption fees can't cover everything.  They don't even fully cover 1 dog's average medical expenses.   If you'd like to see more canine friends in homes and out of shelters, please consider contributing to my #GivingTuesday campaign.  No amount is too small and every penny is greatly appreciated, especially now.