02/20/2024
So I hate to ask, but I could really use your help.
The thought of asking for something like this has me stressed and uncomfortable beyond words, but I have no choice. I have spent hours attempting to write this; deleting, adding, deleting again. Since September, I have been working two jobs around the rescue to help with not only my own expenses, but those of the rescue since donations do not always cover everything. I was working 7 days a week for months at a time without much of a day off while juggling animal care and burning out to the point that I don’t feel like myself anymore. On top of that, I am dealing with various health issues. Literally THE DAY after I made the tough decision to leave my part time second job, thinking I was in a decent enough financial spot to get the self care and break that I desperately need and to be present for baby season, I found out that my rent will unexpectedly be increasing extremely significantly to being out of my budget, as the break I was getting for having the rescue is coming to an end. I live alone, I’m already stretched so thin as it is. With baby season coming and my own mental/physical health, I can’t work 2 jobs at 7 days a week anymore. To put it simply, I’m stuck and don’t know what to do. For someone who does so much for others, having this happen to me on top of everything else going on is hurtful and beyond devastating. I’m scared.
My only option is allocating a small amount of rescue funds to help offset some of that increase from the break going away, as it would be a covered expense for renting out that space for the rescue. Quite a few hundred more every month is not in the budget, especially with now losing the second source of income. After doing budgeting, I can’t make cuts anywhere else; I’m already nearly breaking even. If I don’t allocate some funds to cover the rescue’s portion of the rent, Salem Wildlife Rescue will be no more. I won’t be able to afford to care for animals on top of myself and my personal pets and I will be forced to close the rescue for good, or at least until I could find somewhere else cheaper to go. That would be devastating not only for myself, but for the 100+ animals that I take in by myself every year. And if we are being honest, donations are very low and I have not received any for any of the animals I have helped with this year (in 2024 so far, to clarify!) except for donations here on FB from you wonderful, amazing people. Whether that’s taking the animal from the finder themselves to bring into care, or just my many long drives to bring animals to other rehabbers/vets, there’s been nothing from it. Going forward, unless things improve, I no longer will be able to assist with any type of transport for animals in need, and my heart hurts over that. Baby season is coming before we know it, and supplies and medicines need to be ordered too, not to mention the monthly food cost for the animals!
It’s tight for everyone right now, but if you are in a spot comfortable to do so, please consider joining the Patreon or becoming a recurring monthly donor on PayPal to be able to help out each month, or even a small amount on this fundraiser, or even see if your workplace has a donation matching program. (Or if you know of someone who is willing to help a nonprofit and is selling a livable house for a very affordable price, or a larger place for a more affordable rent that would allow all of my animals without a problem, or who would be willing to donate some land that’s able to be developed, please please send them my way ❤️ doesn’t have to be Salem, anywhere is fine at this point) Every little bit helps!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I’m so sorry to ask this of you. I’m embarrassed, mortified, hurt, heartbroken, scared, and worried for the future, but trying to stay hopeful that everything will work out somehow. I could really use your help to stay operational ❤️ This rescue is everything to me, and the thought of having to close because of this is breaking me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and caring.
