Hello folks, :)

Most of you know I've been working to get donations for the Catawba County Shetler in NC. But that aside, I found out some VERY useful information for your own groups. :D

Now, they need to be 501(c)(3) in order to take part in this particular program, but I think it's definately worth checking out!!

I just got off the phone with Canidae's Customer Service department and found out that they offer Rescue groups discounts on large quanity purchases.

For this part, you don't have to have a 501, and while it's entirely up to the Regional Manager, donations of Surplus foods that are still within the expiration dates are allowed. Most of these bags have been torn open, or mismarked etc and once returned, can't be put back out for sale. So, they just sit there. :-|

While Canidae is JUST ONE company I've contacted, I'm very sure which ever company's food you feed, they might very well offer the same thing. It's definately worth a 1-800 phone call. :D

Good Luck and goD Bless!!

Awesome thanks for the info, I'll be getting ahold of our local rescue and make sure they know this afternoon :D

Great info Kerri - thanks.

You do mean Caldwell County AC though, right?

anyway, I saw this post on another forum and think it fits right in here...

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pet/661839457.html

I just needed to say: KEEP IT UP! This year has been one of the most horrible years for rescue we've ever experienced. Economy suffering= pets dumped everywhere. It breaks your heart, your back, your mind, but we drive on. The economy is bad for us too, and that makes vet bills, food bills, foster homes, donations and supplies all the harder to get... but we drive on. It's a hard and utterly thankless job but we keep pushing, because when we look into those deep and soulful eyes of the animal we saved its all worth it- a thousand times over.

Remember the following words:

A RESCUER’S CREED
(Susan M. Pearson)
I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and of all that is deserving in animals. I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death. I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved, and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days. I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other's paths. I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow upon our souls. I shall renew their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper, and comfort them when they mourn. I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need - a companion and friend when the time has come. I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love, and I shall be called the beloved of God. In their company I shall indeed be blessed.

A REUNION
(unknown)
The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach the Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets and cross the bridge together.
The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly. Get over to the path." "But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told.
Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the bridge. As the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the bridge, and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the bridge and disappeared.
The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" he whispered. "No, son." The older dog replied. "That was more than an angel. That was a person who worked rescue."

And:

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter...the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?" God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. "I have done something, " He replied. "I created you." ~ The Animals' Savior, Copyright Jim Willis 1999

Trying to save them all is like trying to empty the ocean with an eyedropper- it's impossible and you will go insane trying. You have to think with your head, not with your heart, and push forward and do what you can where you can, no matter the people fighting you, the idiots that abuse, breed and abandon their dogs, and the seemingly impossible tasks set before you every hour of every day.

So I just wanted to say, RESCUERS- I SALUTE YOU! And hang in there. We can keep it up if we just stay strong.