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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGrant Request - CRAFTEconomic Development Fund Discretionary Grant Program Organization: Cat Rescue Adoption and Foster Team (CRAFT) Organization Description: The Cat Rescue Adoption and Foster Team receives, retrieves, traps and processes cats and kittens that are declared abandoned or otherwise given up by their owner. These animals receive spay and neuter service, veterinarian services for sickness and injury, shelter, food, litter and adoption services. In 2009, CRAFT cared for 1,023 animals, almost twice as many as the previous year. Many of the animals are from the Humane Societies and other shelters that experience overcrowding. Project Name: Targeted Areas Trap and Alter Project Project Description: This grant will be used in support of an effort undertaken by CRAFT volunteers to trap at -large cats and provide spay or neuter services. Efforts will also be made to encourage pet owners to spay or neuter their cats before the next "kitten season" in the spring. Project Period: December 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 Amount of Request: $1,500 (Total Project Cost = $5,323.64) Previous Grants: • September 2009: $1,100 cat rescue & care ($500 Baney, $300 Luke, $300 Unger) lb Email: Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541) 388-6570 - Fax (541) 385-3202 - www.deschutes.org DESCHUTES COUNTY DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM APPLICATION Direct Application to: Commissioner Tammy Baney Commissioner Dennis R. Luke Date: ,t`1L,\yp Project Name: Project Beginning Date: Amount of Request: Commissioner Alan Unger All Three Commissioners 1(141 )° Are is fti , Ai k — ll)r✓ I"" V 1 �i 15-k>0. k' -1- Ld 5?, cg LJ Applicant/Organization: Address: Project End Date: Date Funds Needed: C eft ReScu.e,FPTly' C' Fro 5fe-t fe, AAA (CRAFT) 17060X l49Lj41 Contact Name(s): Fax: 56 t3► c• SSS h Alternate Phone: Tax ID #: City & Zip: Telephone: �t(31Q1 o - ''► Iv 5c,uq ?3 0g V-1( 51 g Sit �8 ..S se -4-5410 bem d bro On a separate sheet, please briefly answer the following questions: 1. Describe the applicant organization, including its purpose, leadership structure, and activities. 2. Describe the proposed project or activity. 3. Provide a timeline for completing the proposed project or activity. 4. Explain how the proposed project or activity will impact the community's economic health. 5. Identify the specific communities or groups that will benefit. 6. Itemize anticipated expenditures*. Describe how grant funds will be used and include the source and amounts of matching funds or in-kind contributions, if any. If the grant will support an ongoing activity, explain how it will be funded in the future. Attach: Proof of the applicant organization's non-profit status. * Applicant may be contacted during the review process and asked to provide a complete line item budget. Tammy Baney: Amount: Signature: Dennis Luke: Amount: Signature: Alan Unger: Amount: Signature: ba.s . Curr CAT RESCUE ADOPTION & FOSTER TUM Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team P 0 Box 6441, Bend, OR 97708 (541) 389-8420 www.craftcats.org info@craftcats.org October 15, 2010 Deschutes County Board of Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St. Bend, OR 97701 RE: Request for Economic Development Grant Honorable Commissioners, On behalf of CRAFT (Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team), thank you for your consideration and support. CRAFT is involved with the care, feeding, medical support, housing, spay/neuter services and adoption of hundreds of cats and kittens in Central Oregon that have no options. CRAFT works with animal agencies, pet supply stores, senior centers, veterinarians and local media to find appropriate homes. The efforts of CRAFT have been acknowledged and praised by various private and public organizations, including animal agencies, both private and public; and newspapers and TV. The State DHS, 9-1-1 and law enforcement often call on CRAFT to help when someone is overrun with too many cats or they have to find a place for cats left behind by someone, or when the owners are arrested or otherwise removed from the dwelling. However, with this exposure comes the added expense of increases in the demand for services. Finding decent homes for each of these abandoned or otherwise at risk animals is a major goal. In 2008, CRAFT cared for 588 animals. In 2009, 1,023 cats and kittens received care through CRAFT, almost twice as many as the previous year. It appears 2010 will result in a similar number. Most of this increase can be attributed to the poor economy, which has impacted so many people who find they can no longer provide for their pets, lose or downsize housing, or move away to find work. Some who want to surrender their pets learn that shelters are too full and will euthanize them, so they find no -kill CRAFT, where their pet will be safe and provided for until placed. However, more often the new `residents' of CRAFT are a result of the animal being left behind or dumped, expected to fend for itself. Others are due to financially - strapped or irresponsible people not having their pets spayed or neutered, which results in more unwanted animals, even though resources exist to help them with this situation. CRAFT is a non-profit, all -volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, providing care and ultimately placing in appropriate forever homes the community's homeless, abused, neglected and otherwise forgotten cats and kittens, while promoting responsible pet guardianship and the human/animal bond. The only way to control the overabundance of cats and kittens in the future is to encourage and help with spay and neuter, the ultimate answer to the problem. To that end, CRAFT volunteers respond to situations where there are 'too many cats', trapping, transporting and often helping to pay for spay or neuter surgeries for cats that would otherwise not have this done. Some go back to the previous location or owner after spay/neuter, but often these cats are at risk with no caretaker and join the others at CRAFT. There are no other agencies, public or private, in Central Oregon that will do this kind of physical outreach, going to where the cats are. Local humane societies are structured to take in animals that come to them but will not go to neighborhoods to trap, educate, etc. Bend Spay & Neuter fills an important part of the work of CRAFT by providing low-cost spay & neuter services, as do a few veterinarians, but they do not actually go to the locations where help is needed. CRAFT volunteers wish to undertake an intensive trapping/spay/neuter project this winter, when `kitten season' has ended. This is the logical time to round up and spay/neuter at -large cats and to encourage pet owners to have this done, before the next kitten season. Many people do not notice a 'cat problem' until spring when fighting and breeding begin and they start to see 'too many cats and kittens'. By then we are already in the all -too -common cycle of too many cats, and it becomes a nightmare for all animal agencies trying to deal with the sheer numbers. CRAFT is already very much aware of many locations where the cat population is out of control. The target areas are certain neighborhoods in Redmond, downtown Bend, Terrebonne, apartment complexes in Bend and Redmond, downtown Sisters, and mobile home parks in La Pine, Redmond and Bend. These areas have been for years overrun with stray and abandoned cats for a variety of reasons, including access to food (dumpsters), availability of shelter (under homes and other buildings), and to a greater extent a transient population that often leaves pets behind (apartments and mobile home parks). This project will be undertaken with the help of Bend Spay & Neuter Project and a few local veterinarians who offer reduced rates for the cats and kittens CRAFT assists. Local humane societies have been asked to help CRAFT with trapping and low-cost spay/neuter services, but will not do so at this time. Each cat and kitten helped costs between $15 and $50 to process upon intake, depending on whether it is already altered. This minimum amount of $15 covers vaccine, deworming, and treatment for parasites. If a cat or kitten is not altered, the cost to process is $40 for surgery, deworming, vaccinations and treatment for parasites; add an additional $10 for an ID microchip for any cats or kittens that are tame and fully adoptable. These figures are just the initial costs of taking an animal in, and do not include the expenses of food, litter, housing, additional veterinary care, advertising and other ongoing costs necessary to hold them and find them homes. About 40% of the cats are not considered adoptable by traditional standards, being feral or semi -feral, and are adopted out to barns, shops and farms as rodent control specialists at no cost to the adopter. Approximately 8% of fully adoptable cats are placed with senior citizens, veterans and handicapped persons under a special program that waives the adoption fee. CRAFT is a non-profit, all -volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, providing care and ultimately placing in appropriate forever homes the community's homeless, abused, neglected and otherwise forgotten cats and kittens, while promoting responsible pet guardianship and the human/animal bond. The remaining adoptable cats and kittens are placed with an adoption fee of whatever the market will bear, typically $15 to $25 for adult cats and $20 to $50 for kittens, depending on the time of the year and the number of cats and kittens that need homes. The negative cash flow must be covered by donations and grants, an ongoing and difficult effort in these days of more demand for services and fewer available donations and grants. CRAFT volunteers hope to work on the locations that are known to have too many cats and kittens on site (groups of 10, 20 or more), but to do so will require additional humane traps, cages, nets, gloves and supplies. Bend Spay & Neuter has agreed to provide surgery for these cats at a rate lower than their usual charge to CRAFT for this project, during the winter months when their daily workload should be less. Therefore, CRAFT is asking for a grant to cover the traps and other supplies needed for such an undertaking, and for funds to be granted either to CRAFT for surgeries and medical care or to Bend Spay & Neuter Project direct. We anticipate once the CRAFT volunteers are no longer having to care for so many cats and kittens now awaiting homes (we hope by the end of November), that will free some of the volunteers up to trap and transport. This is no easy chore, as it involves setting and picking up traps at night, handling feral and scared cats, and working in some very tough neighborhoods, but the volunteers know being proactive is the only way to prevent so many unwanted animals in the future, and it is apparent to us and others, including law enforcement and public agencies, that no one else is going to do it. A copy of the breakdown of the anticipated costs of traps, supplies, and Bend Spay & Neuter services is attached. BSNP will reduce their charges to CRAFT by 20-25% for this project, during the project timeframe, from $40-$50 per cat to $30 per cat. On behalf of the volunteers and the many homeless cats and kittens of this area, and the citizens who look to CRAFT for help, thank you for your consideration of this request. 1,-)0A:_ck, it_--VAL, 0._ - (\i, anise Sershen Secretary/Treasurer Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team P O Box 6441 Bend, OR 97708 jansersh@bendbroadband.com 541-598-5488 or 541-389-8420 CRAFT is a non-profit, all -volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, providing care and ultimately placing in appropriate forever homes the community's homeless, abused, neglected and otherwise forgotten cats and kittens, while promoting responsible pet guardianship and the human/animal bond. ITEMS COST PER ITEM NEEDED TOTAL TRAPS 20 x 11 x 12 transfer cage Single release box traps, 30 x 11 x 12 Single release box traps, 36 x 11 x 12 Double -door traps, 32 x 9 x 9 Kitten trap, 24 x 6 x 6 49.99 59.99 69.99 66.12 40.66 4 each 199.96 4 each 239.96 2 each 139.98 4 each 264.48 1 each 40.66 OTHER TRAPPING SUPPLIES Animal control pole 90.00 1 each 90.00 Heavy leather (welding) gloves 10.00 6 pairs 60.00 Nets 20.00 2 each 40.00 CAGES (KENNELS) Folding double -door, 24 x 18 Folding double -door, 30 x 21 Folding double -door, 36 x 24 Folding double -door, 42 x 28 42.95 51.95 62.95 92.95 4 each 171.80 2 each 103.90 1 each 62.95 1 each 92.95 Identifying CRAFT T-shirts/vests & magnetic car signs @ $16 ea. 6 sets 96.00 Shipping and handling of cages & traps 121.00 TOTAL EQUIPMENT FOR PROJECT $1,723.64 Most equipment will be purchased on-line through the most reasonably -priced vendor. SURGERY/MEDICAL COSTS Matching Funds — Surgeries Average $15 per cat x 120 $1,800 match Target Areas — remaining cost for surgeries Anticipated number to trap/treat $30 120+ $3,600.00 (primarily Bend Spay/Neuter) cost per cat cats Project Timeframe Late November 2010 through March 2011 — 30+ per month from target areas. Equipment $1,723.64 Surgeries $3,600.00 TOTAL PROJECT COSTS $5,323.64 Population Equation: Each unspayed female can have 2-3 litters per year, beginning at about six months of age. Assuming 2 8 kittens per litter survive, and about half are female, within seven years approximately 720,715 cats could result. (American Humane Society statistics.) CRAFT is a non-profit, all -volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing, providing care and ultimately placing in appropriate forever homes the community's homeless, abused, neglected and otherwise forgotten cats and kittens, while promoting responsible pet guardianship and the human/animal bond. INTERNAL. REVENUE SERVICE P. O. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 f LB 172009 Date: CAT RESCUE ADOPTION & FOSTER TEAM PO BOX 6441 BEND, OR 97708 Dear Applicant: DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Employer Identification Number: 26-3044332 DLN: 17053323360018 Contact Person: YVONNE LIGGETT Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Accounting Period Ending: December 31 Public Charity Status: 170 (b) (1) (A) (vi) Form 990 Required: Yes Effective Date of Exemption May 22, 2008 Contribution Deductibility: Yes Addendum Applies: No ID# 31296 We are pleased to inform you that upon review of your application for tax exempt status we have determined that you are exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to you are deductible under section 170 of the Code. You are also qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under section 2055, 2106 or 2522 of the Code. Because this letter could help resolve any questions regarding your exempt status, you should keep it in your permanent records. Organizations exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Code are further classified as either public charities or private foundations. We determined that you are a public charity under the Code section(s) listed in the heading of this letter. Please see enclosed Publication 4221 -PC, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Public Charities, for some helpful information about your responsibilities as an exempt organization. CAT RFaS,CU ADOPTION & FOSTER TEAM We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in your power of attorney. Sincerely, Robert Choi Director. Rxpmnr Best Friends Animal Society Trap, Neuter and Return Cost Savings Calculator Supporting TNR Programs For Community Cats Could Save Taxpayers in Deschutes, Oregon Millions of Dollars • • 420 Best Friends ANIMAL sOCitry Estimated Cat Population of Deschutes, Oregon Estimated Number of Cats 114,840 Estimated Number of Feral (Community) Cats 63,160 Estimated Costs Associated With Alteration and Return Per Cat Trap/Fieldwork Neuter/Spay Physical Exams Vaccinations $50 $40 $40 $40 Estimated Cost of TNR in Deschutes, Oregon Per Cat $170 Estimated Costs Associated With Discount Packaged Alteration and Return Per Cat Trap/Fieldwork $50 Packaged TNR Procedure $30 Estimated Cost of Discount Packaged TNR in Deschutes, Oregon $80 Estimated Costs Associated With Feline Eradication Per Cat Trap/Enforcement Sheltering Food/Supplies Laboratory Tests Eradication/Euthanization Estimated Cost of Eradication in Deschutes, Oregon Per Cat $50 $40 $40 $10 $40 $190 Estimated Savings for Taxpayers in Deschutes, Oregon Through TNR (Cost of Eradication x Number of Feral Cats - Cost of TNR x Number of Feral Cats) $1,391,100 Estimated Savings in Deschutes, Oregon with Discounted Sterilization & TNR (Cost of Eradication x Number of Feral Cats - Discounted TNR x Number of Feral Cats) $7,104,900 John Dunham and Associates: New York 10/14/2010