Volume 2 Issue 7: Tails of Help June, 2017 Newsletter
Tails of Help Pet Charity Faces Funding Crisis Announces 2017 Another charitable organization in Alberta is Since 2013, Tails of Help has secured increasing Program Funding feeling the pinch of a tight economy. Tails of Help support from individual donors, veterinary Changes is a charity that helps low income Albertans get clinics, corporate sponsors, and grants, with essential veterinary care when their pet is sick or contributions growing every year up until 2017. inside: Page 3 injured. This year, Tails of Help has seen its contributions falter, and actually decline from last year, with Since 2013, the demand for the program has so many corporations and individuals tighten- INSIDE THIS ISSUE: increased every year. Tails of Help has helped over ing their budgets to cope with current econom- 375 Albertans pay for the treatment of their pets. Alberta Challenge! ic conditions in Alberta. Coming Nov-Dec 2 Now, Tails of Help has run out of money.
250 Tails of Help is working hard to keep more 2017 Program ϮϱϬ ϮϮϬ220 2017 Funding Changes 3 PetsWĞƚƐ^ĂǀĞĚϮϬϭϱ Saved 2015 Ͳ-ϮϬϭϳ2017 Year-end Alberta pets healthy and with their loving fam- 200ϮϬϬ Projection ϮϬϭϳ ilies. The need for this program has exceeded zĞĂƌͲĞŶĚ VCA Canada Renews WƌŽũĞĐƚŝŽŶ 150 141 ϭϱϬ ϭϰϭ First the charity’s current capacity to fund it. Today, Sponsorship 3 5 months&ŝƌƐƚ ϱŵŽŶƚŚƐ only ve months into 2017, Tails of Help has 100 of 2017:ŽĨϮϬϭϳ͗ ϵϮ92 ϭϬϬ 78 Annual Fundraising ϳϴ allocated all of their available program budget Campaign 2017 4 50 ϱϬ for the entire year. E ective immediately, Tails of “Howloween” 0Ϭ Help is pausing the acceptance of applications 2015ϮϬϭϱ 2016ϮϬϭϲ 2017ϮϬϭϳ Dog Walk 6 DramaticOs conse growth eaquae. in theUt occus, numbers odi ofdolorestrum pets and families ni to help pet owners in need. voluptatesthat Tails of nos Help prae has pe aided voluptasped during 2015, molupta 2016, (‘Funding Crisis’ story cont’d pg 5) and the first 5 months of 2017.
Tails of Help Alberta Challenge Prizes Awarded
By Nicole Unrau
In March our Tails of Help Executive Director, Andrew Ewan, visited the top performing teams in the rst Alberta Challenge campaign, held throughout Alberta in October and November 2016. Andrew presented the prizes and the trophy Winning team in the Alberta Challenge: Town Centre Veterinary Hospital in Edmonton. The trophy was presented by Ruthie Siddoway to the top fundraising teams. Winning team(far right) in the from Alberta our Challenge: generous 2016 Town Premier Centre Sponsor Veterinary - Hospital in Edmonton. TheVCA trophy Canada.Sponsor was presented - VCAby Ruthie Canada. Siddoway (far right) October 2016 marked the rst ever Tails of Help representing our generous 2016 Premier Sponsor, VCA Canada. Month, the biggest and most successful fund- raising event that Tails of Help has held since its inary clinics, animal enthusiasts, and businesses inception in 2013. Tails of Help Month is our annual from all over the province to provide aid for pets public fundraising campaign where members of in need. During the whole month of October the pet loving community join together with veter- 2016, small fundraising events on behalf of (‘Prizes Awarded’ story cont’d pg 5) Page 2 Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017
*The Tails of Help Alberta Challenge! Coming Nov-Dec 2017!
What is the “Tails of Help Alberta Challenge”? A fundraising campaign to support Tails of Help Generously supported by our Premier Sponsor VCA Canada Running from November 1 – December 20, 2017 Veterinary clinics, pet lovers, businesses all over Alberta Join together to provide aid for animals in need Tails of Help is a CRA registered charitable organization and donations will fund essential veterinary care for ill or injured pets of Alberta owners in financial need. What will be happening? Small fundraising events on behalf of Tails of Help A great way to raise awareness and funds Prizes for groups that raise the most money to support Tails of Help Who will win the trophy this year – last year the winning team was: dŽǁŶĞŶƚƌĞsĞƚĞƌŝŶĂƌLJ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂů͕ĨƌŽŵƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚĞƌŶZĞŐŝŽŶ Support us to help keep four-legged members of low income Alberta families happy and healthy for years to come! Thank you to our How to find out more? generous sponsors! Want more info? Don’t know where to start? Need help with your campaign? Visit our web page or register NOW at Premier Sponsor 2017: www.tailsofhelp.ca/alberta-challenge Or email [email protected] for more info and to get your FREE Tails of Help Alberta Challenge Fundraising Kit! Order your FREE kit early as supplies are limited
*Tails of Help is seeking to raise commitments of $330,000 through its fundraising campaigns during the year 2017. We estimate that it will cost our organization $120,000 to raise this amount. We anticipate that these organizational costs will be entirely covered by corporate sponsorships and grants. This means that 100% of all additional donations will go toward our charitable activity of helping pets and families. Please note that this is the first full year that we will have a paid staff member (part-time) working for the charity. We plan to use the money to fund essential veterinary care for ill or injured pets of Alberta owners who are experiencing financial hardship. Our goal is to keep pets healthy and with their loving families. For further information, please visit our website www.tailsofhelp.ca , or phone Andrew Ewan, our Executive Director at 587-575-8415 or email to: [email protected] . Our mailing address is 1260 – 5328 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, T6H 4J8. Tails of Help is incorporated under the Companies Act (Alberta) and is a registered charity under the Income Tax Act (Canada).
tailsofhelp.ca Keeping pets and families together. Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017 Page 3 Tails of Help Announces 2017 Program Funding Changes
Tails of Help is pleased to announce that the charity is making some Assured Income for Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Guaranteed changes to the funding limits and application process in 2017, with Income Supplement (GIS) recipients. the goal of making the aid program even easier for clinics to use, and accessible for even more Alberta pet owners Other categories for nancial quali cation now include Alberta Works in their times of nancial hardship. recipients, Resettlement Assistance Program (Refugees), Domestic Violence Shelters referrals, Registered Social Worker referrals, and Low Clinics participating in the Tails of Help program have reported that Income Cut-O (LICO) criteria. The goal of this change is to make the they found the existing process to be easy and fast, with clear infor- program accessible for more Alberta pet owners in nancial hardship, mation available through the Tails of Help website, an application while still keeping the process simple with clear quali cation criteria form that is quick to ll out, and prompt responses when completed that make it easy for clinics to make their decision about submitting applications are submitted. an application for their client. (‘Program Funding Changes’ story cont’d pg 7) Tails of Help has made the application process even easier for clinics, by changing the annual funding limit from the current $1000 per clinic, to instead become $1000 per veterinarian. For clinics with more “Tails of Help has made the than one doctor, this will make it easier for each doctor to know if they application process even easier have used their annual funding allocation or still have aid funding available. It will also solve the question of which doctor would be able for clinics...(and) also added more to use a clinic’s available funding. categories for quick and simple Tails of Help has also added more categories for quick and simple nancial needs quali cation, in addition to the current categories of nancial needs quali cation...”
VCA Canada Renews Sponsorship at Premier Level
Tails of Help is very proud to announce that supportingagencies and agencies their clients, and ourtheir vendor clients, partners our unconditionalas well as social love and and emotional a ection support. as well No as VCA Canada has increased their sponsorship vendor– in caring partners for life’s in greatest caring for companions. life’s greatest Tails socialmatter and your emotional circumstances, support. pets No can matter provide your commitment for 2017 as a Premier Sponsor. companions.of Help is a vital Tails partner of Help in making is a vital that partner happen in circumstances,a deep sense of comfort.pets can For provide families a deep that aresense The company was a founding sponsor offor makingin Alberta.” that happen in Alberta.” ofdealing comfort. with For hardship families or thatjust gettingare dealing by, the with Tails of Help and their continuous support hardshipimportance or ofjust this getting bond canby, thebe even importance more “We “We understandunderstand thethe impact impact caring caring for for pets pets has included the 2015 golf tournament and ofcritical this bondto their can overall be even well-being. more critical Pets are to their has on pet parents. parents. The The human-animal human-animal bond as lead sponsor for the inaugural Tails of Help overalla cherished well- member of many families, and bondcreates creates a unique a unique relationship relationship that is everlasting that is Month held this past October. We appreciate being.can potentially Pets are bea cherished one’s only memberfamily. We of work many everlastingand unlike any and other. unlike Caring any other. for pets Caring can ease for VCA Canada’s support in continuing to make families,passionately and everycan potentially day to keep be these one’s families only petsloneliness, can ease reduce loneliness, stress and reduce anxiety, stress promote and a di erencedifference for for the the lives lives of of Alberta Alberta families families family.together We and work healthy.” passionately every day to anxiety,social interaction, promote andsocial encourage interaction, exercise. and Pets and pets in need! keep these families together and healthy.” encourageare non-judgmental, exercise. Petsloyal areand non-judgmental, trustworthy. Thank you to all Tails of Help donors and “At “At VCAVCA Canada, pets comecome first. rst. OurOur hospitalhospital loyalThey provideand trustworthy. unconditional They love provide and affection Thanksponsors you for to taking all Tails part of Help in this donors year’s and cam - teams, thethe largestlargest in in Canada, Canada, are are driven driven by by a sponsorspaign, for for your taking continued part in contributions this year’s to adeep, deep, passionate passionate commitment commitment to enhance to enhance and campaign,this worthwhile for your cause continued by volunteering, contributions donat - andcelebrate celebrate the bond the bondbetween between pets and pets people. toing this at yourworthwhile veterinary cause clinic, by volunteering,or contributing andOur nationalpeople. Ourphilanthropic national philanthropic initiative, donatingonline, and at foryour helping veterinary more clinic, Alberta or pets live initiative,Paw It Forward, Paw It engages Forward, the engages entire community the entire contributinglonger, healthier online, lives. and for helping more community– VCA Canada VCA and Canada our clients, and ourlocal clients, supporting local Alberta pets live longer, healthier lives. Page 4 Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017
AnnualAnnual Fundraising Campaign 20172017
Thank youyou toto ourour 20172017 ThankThank youyou toto ourour 20172017 Corporate && FoundationFoundation IndividualIndividual DonorsDonors:: Sponsors: DiamondDiamond ------
SapphireSapphire AnonymousAnonymous AVCAVC Christmas Christmas Party Party staff staff fundraisingfundraising WendyWendy Walters Walters GoalGoal Amount:Amount: Ruby Dec.Dec. 31,31, 2017 Ruby $330K AlysonAlyson Bilinski Bilinski $330K AnonymousAnonymous DavidDavid King King $300K MarkMark & & Leslie Leslie Patrick Patrick $300K Richard Eisenbraun Richard Eisenbraun PREMIER Emerald VCAPREMIER Canada Emerald VCA Canada Alyssa Lake Alyssa Lake PLATINUM Anonymous PLATINUM AnonymousDonald Blaine --- Donald Blaine --- Jessica Oxley GOLD Jessica Oxley $200K GOLD Mrs. Pamela Kadach $200K Zoetis Mrs.Shallyn PamelaMcIntyre Kadach Zoetis ShallynStudentsMcIntyre' Association of Olds College Club SILVER StudentsUta Kreuzer' Association of Olds College Club BoehringerSILVER Ingelheim Uta Kreuzer MerckBoehringer AnimalIngelheim Health MerialMerck Animal Health PetsecureMerial And many other smaller TownPetsecure Centre Veterinary Hospital And many other smaller T o w n Centre Veterinary Hospital donations less than $100 $100K BRONZE IRON donations less than $100 $100K BowBRONZE Bottom Veterinary Hospital AnimalsIRON First Clinic Ltd DogBow and Bottom Cat Hospital Veterinary Hospital BayerAnimals Inc .First Clinic Ltd – they all add up to help! EdmontonDog and Cat Association Hospital of Small BenevityBayer Inc. – they all add up to help! EdmontonAnimal AssociationVeterinarians of (EASAV) Small BrentwoodBenevity Animal Hospital EnerplusAnimalCorporation Veterinarians (EASAV) CanmoreBrentwood Veterinary Animal Hospital HappyEnerplus PawsCorporation Veterinary Clinic EnerplusCanmoreCorporation Veterinary Hospital HarvestF12 Networks Hills Animal Hospital ShawnessyEnerplus CorporationSouth Pet Hospital LandingHappy Paws Animal Veterinary Clinic Clinic TrupanionShawnessy South Pet Hospital Leduc/BeaumontHarvest Hills Animal Animal Hospital Clinics ValleyValley Vet Vet Clinic Clinic Three Three Hills Hills MeadowbrookLanding Animal Animal Clinic Clinic WesternWestern Veterinary Veterinary Specialist Specialist & & MillwoodsLeduc/BeaumontEast Veterinary Animal ClinicsClinic EmergencyEmergency Centre Centre ParkMeadowbrook Veterinary AnimalCentre Clinic VetoquinolVetoquinol SAVE - Southern Alberta Veterinary Windermere Veterinary Millwoods East Veterinary Clinic Windermere Ve t e r i n a r y Emergency Hospital Hospital Park Veterinary Centre Hospital South Side Animal Hospital S AV E - Southern Alberta Veterinary Southwood Veterinary Hospital Emergency Hospital The Hindle Family Foundation South Side Animal Hospital Southwood Veterinary Hospital The Hindle Family Foundation Trupanion tailsofhelp.ca tailsofhelp.caKeeping pets and families together. Keeping pets and families together. Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017 Page 5
This situation is … Pet Charity Facing Funding Crisis (continued from page 1) not due to the new Research shows that too many Albertans are forced Tails of Help aids in reducing the load on existing program changes, or to give up a family pet because they can’t a ord the animal shelters and humane societies in Alberta, any changes in our animal’s necessary health care. For many people, and ful lls an important gap in existing services. their pets are a signi cant or sometimes primary operation. It is due to source of companionship, a ection, and comfort. Animal lovers can pull together to remedy the the tight economy, When nancial hardship strikes, animals are often current situation and provide aid for more Alberta pets and families, by making a donation to support a drop in 2017 dona- left untreated, su ering, surrendered to a shelter, even euthanized. Tails of Help, by volunteering, or by organizing a tions during the rst fundraising event. You can do this by visiting the ve months, and the web page at www.tailsofhelp.com/give/ . continuing growth in demand for Tails of Help. … Alberta Challenge Prizes Awarded (continued from page 1)
Tails of Help served to raise awareness and funds details for our inaugural campaign. to support what we do – keep more four-legged members of low income Alberta families happy and During three years of existence, the Tails of Help healthy for years to come! charitable foundation has disbursed more than $125,000 in funding aid. This funding has provided Our leading sponsors for 2016, Royal Canin and essential veterinary treatment for over 375 sick Associate Veterinary Clinics (now VCA Canada) both or injured pets of Alberta owners in their time generously participated to help us work out the of nancial need. This truly makes possible the continued companionship be- tween these pets and owners throughout Alberta.
With the generous and enthu- siastic participation of over The Alberta Challenge Trophy, heldThe here Alberta by representatives Challenge Trophy, from 40 veterinary clinics and their heldour here generous by representatives leading sponsors, from clients across Alberta, the (Ruthieour Siddoway generous from leading VCA sponsors, Canada, charity has now received over (Ruthie Siddowayand Kelsey from Kolomeitz PAW IT FORfrom- $16,000 in Tails of Help Month ROYAL CANIN) was presented WARD/AVC - now VCA Canada - and new contributions, which can Kelseyto Town Kolomeitz Centre from Veterinary ROYAL Hospital CANIN) aid more than 30 additional to holdwas until presented the 2017 to Town competition Centre pets in need. The campaign is Veterinary Hospital to holdis completed. until the 2017 competition is completed. also tremendously valuable in building public awareness and support for Tails of Help, by spreading the word about the great work and results achieved by the charity. We are truly grateful and excited for all this growing support.
“It’s nice to be able to Tails of Help Month began with the Alberta Chal- say this a local charity lenge, a friendly competition between veterinary clinics in Southern and Northern Alberta as to who helping local people.” could raise more funds during the month. All clinics located north of Airdrie comprised the Northern team, while the Southern team was represented – Colleen, Guardian by clinics located in and south from Airdrie. Clinics competed for the chance to win the Alberta Veterinary Centre (‘Prizes Awarded’ story cont’d pg 7) Page 6 Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017
Join Us For a Howling Great Time!
TAILS OF HELP 2017 “HOWLOWEEN” DOG WALK
CALGARY, OCTOBER 28, 2017
Prizes for best “Howloween” costumed owners & dog(s) – so dress up and have some fun!
Help us keep more four-legged members of low income Alberta families happy and healthy for years to come!
When: Saturday October 28th, 2017 Time: &KHFNLQ DP±DP Walk commences at 10.30 am – 3km out and back route on South Glenmore Park pathway Whether in rain, snow, or sunshine! Where: South Glenmore Park – Polo Field HQWUDQFHRII $YH6:RSSRVLWH 2DNPRXQW'U6: Registration fee: Individual $10 or Family $25
Please register online prior to the event at: ZZZWDLOVRIKHOSFDKRZORZHHQZDON Our 2017 Premier Sponsor For updates about the Tails of Help Howloween Dog Walk – visit our web page: www.tailsofhelp.ca/howloween-walk
*Tails of Help is seeking to raise commitments of $330,000 through its fundraising campaigns during the year 2017. We estimate that it will cost our organization $120,000 to raise this amount. We anticipate that these organizational costs will be entirely covered by corporate sponsorships and grants. This means that 100% of all additional donations ZLOOJRWRZDUGRXUFKDULWDEOHDFWLYLW\RIKHOSLQJSHWVDQGIDPLOLHV3OHDVHQRWHWKDWWKLVLVWKH¿UVWIXOO\HDUWKDWZHZLOOKDYHDSDLGVWDIIPHPEHU SDUWWLPH ZRUNLQJIRUWKHFKDULW\ :HSODQWRXVHWKHPRQH\WRIXQGHVVHQWLDOYHWHULQDU\FDUHIRULOORULQMXUHGSHWVRI$OEHUWDRZQHUVZKRDUHH[SHULHQFLQJ¿QDQFLDOKDUGVKLS2XUJRDOLVWRNHHSSHWVKHDOWK\ and with their loving families. For further information, please see our website at www.tailsofhelp.caRUFRQWDFW$QGUHZ(ZDQ([HFXWLYH'LUHFWRUDWRUHPDLOWR andrew.ewan@tailsofhelpFD2XUPDLOLQJDGGUHVVLV±&DOJDU\7UDLO1:(GPRQWRQ7+-7DLOVRI+HOSLVLQFRUSRUDWHGXQGHUWKH&RPSDQLHV$FW $OEHUWD DQG LVDUHJLVWHUHGFKDULW\XQGHUWKH,QFRPH7D[$FW &DQDGD Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017 Page 7
… 2017 Program Funding Changes Volunteers WANTED - for details visit: (continued from page 3) http://www.tailsofhelp.com/volunteer/
Tails of Help announced full details and e ective dates for these changes in 1. Event Coordinator - “Howloween” Dog Walk April of 2017. 2. Event Volunteer 3. Grant Administrator For more information please visit our website here: http://www.tailsofhelp.com/vets/ 4. Event Promotions - Veterinary Representative 5. “Howloween” Dog Walk Event - Public Promotions or http://www.tailsofhelp.com/owners/ 6. Social Media Coordinator 7. Matching Gift & Payroll Donations Coordinator 8. Corporate Sponsorship Coordinator
Participants at the rst Tails of Help Howloween Dog Walk event, held October 29, 2016 at Glenmore Park in Calgary to kick o the 2016 Tails of Help Alberta Challenge fundraising campaign. Everyone who came had a great time. We’re plan- ning an even bigger and better version for this fall, Saturday October 28, 2017.
… Alberta Challenge Prizes Awarded (continued from page 5)
Challenge Trophy, as well as one of 3 prizes in the form of vouchers for a team dinner. This year, the North emerged victorious over their southern neighbors by more than $5000, through a combination of ra es, bake sales, photo booths, and more.
The Town Centre Veterinary Hospital in Edmon- ton, long time participants in the TOH program, were this year’s fundraising champion, having raised over $2700 dollars during the month for pets in need.
Being “big believers in Tails of Help,” the clinic came together, in honor of both TOH as well as their own 25 Years of Caring initiative, to create The team at Park Veterinary Centre in Sherwood Park, AB won second place in the Alberta Challenge. a calendar of their adorably fuzzy four-legged clients, which sold for donations of $10 each. (‘Prizes Awarded’ story cont’d pg 8) Page 8 Tails of Help Newsletter, June 2017
… Alberta Challenge Awards (continued from page 7)
In second and third place, each having raised over TOH, continuing to further the cause as they $1400, were Park Veterinary Centre in Sherwood have consistently done during their long-term Park, and Dog & Cat Hospital in Red Deer. Both participation with Tails of Help. clinics had their own unique additions to the event, with adorable Halloween photo shoots for “I think this is a great organization … I think clients and their furry companions, and bake sales this is (a terri c result for) the which got everyone involved. rst year in increasing aware- Alberta Challenge 2016 Top 10 Fundraising groups: ness and (this event has been N - Town Centre Veterinary Hospital $2,715 The Dog & Cat hospital’s toonie toss, where clients a big) success.” had the chance to win $10 o their bill, was a N - Park Veterinary Centre $1,664 huge success, as was the 48-hour long bake sale -Johnathon, Calgary North N - Dog & Cat Hospital $1,475 put on by Park Veterinary Centre. Both clinics also Veterinary Hospital S - CARE Centre $1,248 took part in the 202 Tails event, where clients Our rst ever Tails of Help N - Guardian Veterinary Centre $1,181 could purchase tails to place on the wall, with Month was a fantastic exam- S - Happy Paws Vet Clinic $1,040 ple of the kind and caring S - Landing Animal Clinic $937 hearts in the pet-loving S - Calgary North Veterinary Hospital $928 community coming together N - Calgary Trail Pet Hospital $872 to provide for those in need. N - Leduc Animal Hospital $687 Many of the clinics intend to continue fundraising for TOH throughout the year, and are excited to con- tinue the partnership with this charity to help Tails of Help keep more pets and their loved ones together. Suite 1260 On behalf of the people and pets we serve, we thank all who participated in the 2016 Royal 5328 Calgary Trail NW Canin Tails of Help Month fundraising cam- Edmonton, Alberta paign and we can’t wait to see what’s in store T6H4J8 The Dog & Cat Hospital in Red Deer, AB won for the future. third place in the Alberta Challenge. Here is Fax: 780-484-8311 the team from the East Hill location. Great job Email: [email protected] everyone who participated! the great display encouraging conversation and “Keeping pets healthy communication for the cause. and with their loving families” Even those who didn’t reach the top three did a phenomenal job at raising awareness and helping TOH to make a di erence. Two of the specialist hospitals, C.A.R.E. Centre in Calgary and Guardian Veterinary Centre in Edmonton, nished in 4th and 5th positions by raising over $1100 each. For their very rst year in operation, the Happy Paws Third place in the Alberta Challenge went to Veterinary clinic of Airdrie did an amazing job, Dog & Cat Hospital in Red Deer, AB. Here is the coming in at 6th place on the rankings having team from the Clearview location. raised over $1000 through a modi ed 202 Tails Visit us on the web: For more details about Tails of Help Month, event as well as an adorable photoshoot in part- www.tailsofhelp.ca nership with Airdrie Puppy Pals. Landing Animal visit our web page: Clinic and Calgary North Veterinary hospital both http://www.tailsofhelp.com/tohmonth/ Follow us did the 202 Tails event as well as a gift basket @TailsofHelp Our sincere thanks go out to these groups and draw, coming in at 7th and 8th place in the overall the many others who participated in the rst ranking. During their month-long e orts, all & Find us ever Tails of Help Month Alberta Challenge! these clinics and their enthusiastic clients did an on FaceBook incredible job at raising awareness and funds for