Hello everyone--<br>Effective immediately Mickaboo will be temporarily suspending
intake of all birds, except those that face euthanasia in shelters or
whose surrenderers are willing to &quot;endow&quot; their birds for future
veterinary care.&nbsp; Our expenses in May and June combined were $34,000
while our income was $8,300.&nbsp; Obviously, we can&#39;t continue to run with
this kind of imbalance.&nbsp; Our first obligation is to the birds who are
currently in our care---right now that is 192 birds--and we need to maintain a cash
balance that can cover anticipated vet bills.
<br><br>Mickaboo operates with a mission statement that is different from many rescue organizations.&nbsp; We provide <span style="font-weight: bold;">all</span>
necessary treatment for every bird who enters our care regardless of
their relative &quot;market value&quot;.&nbsp; In other words, we will spend the same
amount of money on veterinary care for a finch as we will on a macaw.&nbsp;
We also do not euthanize except in cases where a bird is suffering
without the possibility of recovery.&nbsp; If a bird is not suffering, but
is terminally ill, we continue to provide hospice care.&nbsp; Even in
difficult financial circumstances, we will never change that approach
to the care of our birds.
<br><br>In addition to suspending intake, we are launching our Summer
Fundraising Drive.&nbsp; We&#39;ll be sending out a fundraising letter and flier
shortly, so look for it!&nbsp; We will also be applying for grants and identifying other income sources.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">What can you do?&nbsp;</span> <br><br>1)&nbsp; Send a contribution and add a note that says &quot;SFD-Discuss (or Action)&quot; on your check or online contribution.
<br><br>2)&nbsp;
Send stamps.&nbsp; Rather than doing a stapled flier, we would like to do a
&#39;slicker&#39; fundraising appeal that we mail in an envelope.
<br><br>3)&nbsp; Identify grant sources.<br><br>4)&nbsp; Agree to send personal
notes with a fundraising letter to people you know who aren&#39;t involved
with Mickaboo, but are potential donors.&nbsp; We will draft a letter that&#39;s
specifically designed for this type of appeal.
<br><br>5) Volunteer to help send out our fundraising letter.<br><br>I
know I don&#39;t need to tell you how critical our services are.&nbsp; In
addition to private surrenders, we take in birds from every shelter in
the Bay Area, as well as those in Sacramento and Santa Cruz.&nbsp; Birds who
are ill or injured don&#39;t have another option.&nbsp; We are their last
resort.
<br><br>Thank you for your understanding.
<br><br>--Nancy<br clear="all"><br>