People Say The Meanest Things -That's Why I Like Cats
First of all I would to say thank you everyone for your support.
Now here is a email I received and I would like to address all of her concerns that she has.
To The Person In Charge
If you guys have so many of these issues for keeping up a safe place with all the necessities for cats being missing. You are putting the animals themselves at a risk.
Either reduce your amount to what you can afford or give them all to a Proper care place.
Because this is a matter that animal services could come in and take your animals in your care. your BUISNESS IS HERE TO HELP ANIMALS, NOT TO MOOCH OR FULLY RELY ON DONATIONS OR VOLUNTEERS.
Most people that start the campaign to help animals, have their own funds for the basics. they NEVER ask for litter or food. they need socializers and fosters. think about these cats further before you continue to dig yourself in a hole, and take these cats and kittens with you down it.
Think about it, are you really helping them, is it standards what they need to be for those cats. when i said i would volunteer I DID NOT intend on hearing the lights will go out, were out of food, were out of litter,
WHY DONT YOU JUST CLOSE UP and give these animals to a Stable foundation, fully equipped for their needs
HERE IS MY OFFICIAL RESPONSE
For those folks who want to call me names. Attack the way we raise funds. I’m a big boy I can take it but please know this and take this to heart.
Every night by the grace of God and the love of the kitty lovers through out the World the kitties have never gone without.
Chrissy and I have but NEVER the kitties.
Since 2006 I have raised over 150,00 dollars for the kitties.
Prior to this I have spent over 100,000 dollars of our personal money on the kitties, before we went non -profit.
I’m not going argue with you all. You all have a right to your feelings and the way you see things but I will give you the facts.
But if you need to call me names and attack our fund raising ways go ahead.
But before you do I’m the first to admit - I‘m a ‘Social Media High Tech Beggar. Because if I do not , do what I do - 268 cats will die !
You may not like our fund raising methods but it simple and it works and it is cheap.
Last year alone we have raised 46,000 thousands dollars by asking for help on-line.
All for the cost of the internet and a $35 dollar emailing program.
100% percent of all funds goes to the kitties care and operating Puffy Paws.
We do not get paid.
We have the Thrift Shop to raise funds
http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/id299.html
And mail in donations to.
http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/id136.html
http://www.puffypawskittyhaven.com/id136.html
Our fund raising campaign is “ Just ask-Hope -You can help.”
If I did not do it this way the kitties will not be alive today.
The kitties do not know our human struggle. They are very well taken care of.
The powers that be, only care about the kitties welfare. That they are in good health, have food, water and shelter and Vet Care.
They do not want our cats. They are not going to shut us down and take our cats because some people disapprove of our fund raising methods and asking for help and volunteers.
If the cats did not have any of this, everyday ,we would have been shut down.
They do not care about our fund raising methods.
These powers knows the kitties have everything they need because every major rescue group in the area came to the Haven in the fall to help us because I asked them to.
Their was never a need to get us close down. If the cats were in danger they would have shut us down . We are doing nothing wrong. Expect struggling for funds
When people get sick and tried of us.
They unsubscribe from our facebook page and emailing list.
We are not for everyone.
The kitties never go with out without because of the love of our community and kitty lovers around the world.
We are a Vet supervise Haven. Our Vet does routine walk troughs to make sure the cats are all in optimal heath Our Vet charges cost. We will not be able to do what we do if it was not for our Vet.
As for " Socializers and fosters." We live with the cats. We are a loving home for unwanted & special need kitties.
Everyone who comes to the Haven can not believe how well 268 cats get along together. No fighting, just love. They are happy.
ABC News & The Sarasota Herald Tribune called Puffy Paws
“ A Bed & Breakfast For Cats ”.
We are a free roaming cage less Haven. We do not believe in cages at all. Even for adoption events. Why do you think we have a RV we are getting ready for the “Mobile Adoption Center or The Cathouse on Wheels ”.
This is what we are facing locally.
Other Animal Rescue groups just like us are funded by the public.
They count on funds and volunteers from the Community, just like us.
But it’s ok for them to put on big fancy events and than the funds go to paying for the events and in salary, administrative cost and fund raising. 100% does not go to the animals and basic operation cost.
And this group only 42% of all cats that came in got adopted out.
A handful was reunited with their former owners and were did the rest get to ? Blue juice in the vein ?
The other local group only 35% of every dollar raised went to the animals, last year
Here is a shocker for you this is from a government report. Look how much was spent on the animals from the same group.
“ The funds spend on the “animals” is extremely minimal”
2003 - $ 225 out of $31,263 = .71% of expenses
2004 - $ 505 out of $30,504 = 1.60% of expenses
2005 - $ 802 out of $26,955 = 2.20% of expenses
But it’s not ok, to ask for funds and spent 100% on the kitties and the basic operating cost associated with Puffy Paws ?
We have had every major media company in the Haven. Newspaper reporters from all the major local companies , ABC & NBC , SNN NEWS, news crews.
They have said the same thing over and over. The Haven is very clean, the cats are well taken care of and they all get along and are happy.
If they were problems they would have had us shut down.
I have included Newscasts, our press and News Archives for you to read.
So I may show you what I’m talking about because all of our actions is documented since day 1.
Adoptions. We have had over 300 adoptions since 2007. Because folks were able to come over to the Haven to adopt the cats but no more
Please read the article to find out why our adoption program stop and what we did to get back on track.
Here are some open letter of support from folks who understand what we are doing.
Dear Rick.
It's Sylvia here wanting to share how I feel about your open letter. FABULOUS. Bravo!!!! I'm so glad you made the decision to set a number of things straight with those readers haven't a clue about what you and Chrissy are faced with and the very hard decisions you both have to make daily.
We hope that the HARD facts addressed in the letter will make some of the so-called naysayers think twice before they open their big fat mouths. I'm proud of what you did. Continue doing the superb work you do (when I say "you", I naturally, include Chrissy). Secondly, my third Paypal donation this time around was a mere $5.00.
I'm close to depleting funds in this account. I'll have to replenish soon. I saw right away after viewing the puffypawskittyhaven website that there was no fooling around. Everything on the up and up.
Those who attack you in some way are NOT bright individuals. I have a strong sense that your supporters way outnumber those who do not.
Stay focused at all times and don't allow anyone to sidetrack you. It's clear that the good Lord is watching over and offering a lending hand. God Bless.
Sincerely,
Sylvia (your Canadian supporter)
I just wanted to send you a short message; I don't want to imagine that the only emails you get are the mean and hurtful kind, because there are plenty of people out here who KNOW FOR A FACT that you are doing great things, and we support you.
Money has been tight recently, but I threw in $10 to try and help you stay afloat today. That's all the way from over in Australia, too! I've tried to get the message around to some of my friends, but I'm a bit reclusive, and there's not much I can do other than say, "These guys at Puffy Paws are awesome, and if you can help out, please do". I hope that their awareness will be enough to get more people on board who can give you a hand.
We're a big cat family here, with Tish, Steamlord, Chichiri, Doc Mugen, and Morphball currently owning our house (and kindly letting us feed and cuddle them ;) ). With just those guys here, it's a madhouse! I cannot imagine how AMAZING you two must be to be able to share your lives with so many kitties. You must have some of the biggest hearts in the whole world. I know that love expands to fit the need, and you can never run out of love for the furry babies in our lives!
Keep up the good work, guys. Ignore those people who are critical. Ignore their shortsighted and misguided thoughts about what you're doing. A simple "I'm sorry you feel that way, but this is something we have to do" is all they deserve for their mean emails!
Well, I better wrap this up before the "short" message gets too much longer. You two are doing something fantastic for all the cats that come and go through your door. Don't let anyone get you down, and whenever I'm able to help out, I'll do what I can.
Ashlee
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