Dear Friends,
In response to the COVID-19 crisis we are evaluating our operations and the best way in which to serve our community on a day-to-day basis. Accordingly, here are our plans for the foreseeable future:
Knowing many animal shelters are forced to close their doors and operate with skeleton crews, we have reached out to our closest shelter neighbors to see where there is opportunity to move animals out of those facilities and into foster care, thereby reducing the burden on those organizations.
Staff will continue to work remotely supporting animals in our foster network, coordinating shelter transfers, and facilitating appointment-based adoptions.
We will launch a coordinated effort to connect with our volunteer base, to offer community, support, laughter, and connection during this isolating time
Attempting to be sensitive to the situation and knowing that our individual and small business partners are also under a great deal of stress, we halted current fundraising activities including sponsor recruitment for the year's events and delivery of a direct-mail campaign. Our Puppy Yoga and Chipotle fundraisers were also cancelled.
A plan to provide weekly updates regarding the organization, the community, and pet-related COVID-19 information will go into effect.
Like all other small businesses and charitable nonprofits, we are anticipating a significant financial impact on our organization and will continue to work with our staff, board, and donors to figure out a way through this crisis. Though our event-based fundraising cannot continue at this time, we would like to encourage you to help so that we may always be in the position to provide life-saving services and resources to you and the pets you love and care for. Some suggestions for how to this during the crisis include:
Signing up for the Constant Companion Club and providing a small, monthly contribution of $10 per month.
If other events you were scheduled to attend, including sporting events, concerts, etc. refund your ticket prices, consider forwarding that refund to BDAR as a donation.
If you are among the people who are able to make a larger gift, consider sponsoring a month of our mortgage and utilities, a month of veterinary services, or a portion of our monthly payroll (we are committed to putting our people first - maintaining pay and benefits throughout this time).
Onward,
Britney Wallesch
