Program Changes

For the past 12 years, SND donors have contributed generously and volunteers have tirelessly given their time, energy and focus to one cause - helping as many Dobermans as possible to see a better life. These Dobermans were introduced to us via rescue organizations, shelters and individual pet owners looking for financial support. We have spent many hours begging and pleading for dollars to bridge the gap from medical bills and amount of grant money.

SND began operations in 2001 by raising just over $1,000 that first year. Activity quickly increased so that by 2005 SND was raising over $100,000 annually. That level pretty much continued for 5 years but has now decreased to approximately $75,000 annually. This is VERY significant when you consider helping MORE Dobermans with LESS available funds.  SND is now approaching a lifetime total of $860,000 - a total for which we can all be proud.

SND, like everything else, has been hit hard by the prevailing economic condition which has become a self-fulfilling prophecy for many.  It has been very difficult and close to impossible to maintain the same level of fundraising activity, especially in light of the reduced donations.

SND conducted a close examination and evaluation of its fundraising activities, the distribution of support for private versus rescue cases, and the manner in which SND volunteers devote their time. Additionally, SND discussed the financial needs of the rescue groups with many of the rescue groups we assist to determine what challenges they were facing in finding adequate support funding. To assure that the reduced available funds would help the most needy of cases, SND management concluded that there needed to be a more focused effort to support rescue. The fundraising landscape for private individuals has changed dramatically over the last 12 years. The increased use of CareCredit for veterinary expenses, the advent of Facebook, and the growing use of "social media" by individuals seeking support for their Dobes have come together to provide many alternatives for individuals to raise funds where once only SND was available.

Like many other non-profit organizations, we have been forced to evaluate our future with honest eyes and put forth a new roadmap that we can follow which will allow us sustain Special Needs Dobermans, albeit smaller and more focused.

PRIVATE CASES: SND will discontinue providing financial support for private cases. The funds coming in from the owner's sources do not begin to cover their needs. The General Funds can no longer keep this arm going. This has always been a disproportionate time and energy drain on the entire SND group. Few private owners assist in their own fundraising to offset what grants have been provided. Some merely do not wish to incur debt on behalf of their Dobes as many of us already do. This change places the responsibility back in the hands of those who now have the resources to reach out and fund their needs. It's easier for people to ask friends and family for help than it has become for an organization like SND to raise funds from strangers for strangers.

RESCUES: SND is changing the manner in which we manage rescue cases.   We are reorganizing our website so that each rescue case will be summarized on the front page. The extensive individual write-ups and updates will be eliminated since our current experience is that the extensive write-ups are very work intensive and not productive for fundraising. When the General Fund is depleted, we will no longer provide initial grants. We will, however, continue to provide a place on our website for people to donate to specific Dobes to assist the rescue groups with medical expenses.

Our support remains strong for the hardworking Rescue groups. These Rescue groups need all the assistance they can get. We believe providing an active national listing for their special needs cases gives them the necessary exposure to raise additional funds. Coupled with SND providing a fundraising focal point for them we believe the Rescue groups will be in a stronger position to finance their operations.

SENIORS IN RESCUE: The Senior Doberman Project will continue its role as the only national focal point that lists Senior Dobermans in rescue and provides a platform for raising funds to assist the rescue groups in rescuing the seniors. This will become a major focus of SND - helping Senior Dobes in rescue. The rescue groups have found that rescuing senior Dobes can create a real financial burden. With the help of generous donors, SND's program will continue to provide monthly support to the rescue groups to help with maintenance expenses for these seniors.

While these changes seem drastic and significant, we are excited to start this journey. We believe that the revised structure and more focused efforts will allow us to do what we do best - help the most needy senior and special needs Dobes - those in rescue. There is still a core group of people that believe in this cause and are willing to put forth their best effort to help these Dobes in need.

HOW SND HELPS RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE GENERAL, SENIOR MEDICAL AND SENIORS SPONSORSHIP FUNDS

Miss Karma DRNC

Direct Vet Assistance for Rescue Groups via the NEW General Fund Page 

SND continues to provide direct financial assistance to Rescue groups to help with vet bills for specific Dobermans in need. Rescues submit an application along with pictures (hopefully before the procedure has taken place and certainly before payment has been made). Usually $500-$600 as an initial grant can be made available immediately, and additional funding as it is subsequently raised via donations and/or eBay sales. SND makes all payments directly to the vet. This is particularly useful to rescue groups who need the initial infusion of funds for a case, who need to tap into a larger donor base, who can use SND's 501(c)(3) status to collect donations, who can then use the additional funds raised via SND's donations and eBay sales. SND places the case on SND's website on the General Fund page and sets up a separate fund for donations for that specific case. Each case is for a specific Dobe and medical condition. The Senior Medical Fund makes additional grants to Seniors to augment the General Fund grants.

 

Oliver Twist!

Senior Dobe Project (SDP)

 

SND continues our support of Seniors in Rescue even though we no longer have our former partners. The Senior Dobe Project lists those Senior Dobes that are in Rescue only.  This listing helps the individual rescue groups publicize those Senior Dobes that are available for adoption or only in need of Sponsors so they may enjoy extras which aren't always available.  This not only facilitates adoptions but it also publicizes the plight of the seniors.

  

Mr. Jullian SADAR

SAS Payments for Rescue Groups  

 

The Sponsor a Senior (SAS) program was established to help the rescue groups raise funds to help with the normal upkeep and maintenance of the seniors in their care. Thus, a person can "sponsor" a particular senior Dobe on the SDP list by sending in a donation ($40 for a month of sponsorship, up to one year) and those funds will be forwarded directly to the appropriate rescue group. This program encourages the rescue of seniors by relieving the rescue groups of some of the financial burden, it helps with the finances of the rescue group in general, and it permits donors to target specific rescue groups and specific Dobes for their donations. 

Seniors enjoying life!!

 by Kathy Shearn