Every day we see it and hear about it in the news … “The Cost of Living Crisis”, but have you stopped to think it affects more than us humans?
- Transporting animals, getting supplies & running the tractor = diesel
- Rise in animal feed costs
- Rise in veterinary costs
- Ageing facilities, equipment & machinery = repair bills
We started the year at a huge financial disadvantage because our Animal Welfare Grant from the Department of Agriculture last December was reduced by half. To stay afloat, we have had to use funds we set aside for other projects, such as a targeted TNR (trap, neuter & return) project, finally getting the haybarn erected and a proper training/handling area. We were also restricted as to how much help we could offer people when it came to the costs involved in spaying/neutering, as well as how many new animals we could take into the rescue; with each case we had to be mindful of our financial restrictions.
Next year will see us turning 20yrs old; that is a lot of years of voluntarily taking on the stresses & strains, highs & lows, successes & failures, etc of keeping the rescue going on top of our own personal responsibilities. Of course we would not have made it as far as we have without your support; we ourselves and the animals are forever grateful for your kindness & generosity 🙂
We have no idea how much of a grant we will get from the Department this year, and with no spare funds left in our bank account to fall back on we will be running a few different fundraising initiatives between now and the end of the year.
The first is a first for us … we are doing a calendar! Instead of us trawling through photos of animals we have cared for to find ‘calendar-ready pictures’, we are giving your animal(s) an opportunity to be famous! Simply send us your photo(s) along with €3.00 entry for one photo or €10.00 entry for four. Closing date is 8pm on Sunday 18th of October to ensure we have sufficient time to get the calendar designed and printed. 
Details are available here Calendar Photo Competition if you would like to print & display or share, and to make life easy you can pay via our shop
The second fundraising initiative is of course our Winter Draw.
Regular supporters and followers know the way this one works … you will be glad to hear that despite everything else in life increasing in cost, our ticket prices have stayed the same – €2.50 each or 5 for €10.00.
1st Prize €800 | 2nd Prize €300 | 3rd Prize €100
Tickets are on sale until the 17th of December, and they can be bought from our shop.
We also have some physical tickets for sale and would be delighted if you could sell some for us.
All businesses that sell tickets on our behalf will be advertised on our social media channels.
We hope to attend some Christmas markets with our stall; so far we have booked a space in Corofin and would appreciate it if you could let us know of others that are being held around the Clare/South Galway area.
Our crafters are busy making creations to sell, so now we need to secure some venues.