What made you start Funds 4 Furry Friends?
We have always been passionate about helping animals. All of us involved in the organization are also involved in other aspects of animal rescue too, such as fostering, transporting and networking. The very first dog that actually inspired the creation of the organization was a stray dog called Annie. Annie lived at the edge of a construction site in the sewers. Gina started feeding her but it was a long time until they could successfully trap her. When they finally did she was taken to Towne Lake Animal Hospital, but a home was never found for her. Gina’s daughter, Pamela, eventually adopted her and Annie was flown out to San Francisco, where Pamela was living at the time, and the rest of Annie’s life was secure and happy.
What kind of organizations do you help with funding?
Some of the organizations that we have a long term relationship with and provide funding to include the following: Angel Dog Rescue, Cherokee Senior Center, Girard Lifesaver Rescue, Unchain Floyd County, Tender Heart & Great Pyr Rescue, Act2Pups, Furkids, Forgotten Paws Pet Rescue, Red Clay Horse Rescue, Community Vet Care for homeless people, Great Pyr Rescue of Atlanta, Paws and Stars Animal Rescue and Shelter Pets for Veterans among others.
We also provide pet food to various church food pantries and other people in need and are involved in helping four community cat colonies.
Our funding is always very intentional and for specific purposes including emergency vetting and spay and neuter. We pay vets directly, funds are never sent to the individual or organization in need itself.
How do you choose which organizations you give funding to?
Our Board votes on the allotment of funds to the rescue groups we have a long relationship with. We add new organizations from time to time too and leave funds available for emergencies. Every now and then we get calls from individuals who need emergency help for their pet. We also get in touch, via Nextdoor, with pet owners who are in a crisis situation and we provide emergency pet food to them. In particular we help a lot of seniors and veterans with our aid.
How do you raise funds?
We make things that we sell to raise money. We sell primarily at craft fairs as well as Etsy and Facebook marketplace. Our November 2021 fund-raising craft fairs will be November 6-7 at Blessed Trinity, November 20-21 at Sprayberry High School, and one Saturday in November TBA at Top Dogs Boutique in Kennesaw. We also put out a Christmas appeal letter every year that reflects on our yearly activities and asks for donations.
What are some of your favorite arts and crafts that you sell?
We sell a large amount of different items, including a lot of seasonal items and pet-related gifts too. Some of our top-sellers are dog blankets, bandanas, greeting cards and aprons, but we sell a large selection of items.
How many people are involved in Funds 4 Furry Friends.
9 volunteers. We are a small group who are passionate about helping animals and we do pretty well with our mission.
How can people donate to Funds 4 Furry Friends?
Cash donations are appreciated as well as donations of fabric, thread and craft supplies. Car donations are welcome. Donations of pet food, and toys. We also welcome volunteers who may like to bake organic dog cookies for us as well as someone who would be willing to haul items to and from craft shows for us.
Having worked with animal rescues a long time what do you want people to know about.
There are too many dogs in shelters. If you can’t commit to owning a dog then don’t get one. If you are having trouble, be committed to finding a solution. We cannot assume that all dogs in shelters are going to be adopted and find a loving home. That is just not the case. Educate yourself on a dog’s breed before you adopt and make sure it will fit in with your lifestyle. We commit a lot of funds to spay and neuter. People need to spay and neuter their pets and educate themselves about animal shelters. The best way would be to volunteer at a shelter or become a foster.