ANNUAL REPORT - ragom.org - Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota

ANNUAL REPORT
2014
3
“RAGOM IS A PREMIER RESCUE NOT
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE EXCELLENT
QUALITY OF CARE DOGS RECEIVE,
BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE
QUALITY, SKILLS, AND DEDICATION
OF THEIR VOLUNTEERS. THEY SET
THE BAR HIGH.”
— CYNTHIA E., RAGOM SUPPORTER
AND RETIRED BOARD MEMBER
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Dear Friends of RAGOM,
FOSTER
As we celebrate 30 years of rescuing and
rehoming Goldens and other deserving
dogs, we would not be where we are today
Fostering is one of the most important and rewarding volunteer opportunities.
without your kindness and generosity. 2014
Foster volunteers provide care and companionship until a permanent family is
was another busy year and it’s awe-inspiring
found. RAGOM covers all veterinary costs. Fosters choose the dog they’d like
to watch how this organization brings so
to foster, and help select the family who adopts their dog.
many people together for dogs in need of
transport, foster homes, veterinary care,
special assistance and, of course, forever
homes.
Last year,
supportwithout
allowedthe
us generosity and boundless energy of
RAGOM
wouldyour
not survive
to show
401
dogs
the
Golden
life.
On
behalf
our volunteers. Opportunities include transporting dogs, special events, data
of RAGOM,
please accept
deepest
entry, marketing,
homemy
visits,
and more. Many volunteer projects and activities
gratitude
and
thanks
for
your
partnership
in
can be done remotely from your home.
fulfilling our mission. Together, we continue
to change the lives of so many beautiful
souls.
RAGOM relies heavily on donations to support our rescue efforts.
Sincerely,
Giving opportunities include:
Teresa
Varney
• Make
a contribution, or sponsor a dog in our care
VOLUNTEER
DONATE
• Sign up for automatic monthly donations
LEADERSHIP
• Create a lasting legacy – include RAGOM in your estate plans
Board of Directors
For questions about donating to RAGOM, contact
AmyVarney,
Lake, Development
Teresa
Chair of the Board
Manager, at amy.lake@ragom.org
Jane Nygaard, Founder/Board Member
FUNDRAISE
Kate Heezen, Secretary
Julie Klein, Treasurer
Mark
Crellin,
Join us for Goldzilla, our biggest fundraiser of the
year.
This Board
year’s Member
event will be
September 13, 2015. Raise pledges to supportRobert
the dogs
in
our
care
– and
earn
Cristofono, Board
Member
great prizes, too!
Lara Rasmussen, Board Member
FOLLOW US
Leadership Team
Kathryn Henriksen,
Interim
Visit our website to sign up for our email communications,
and follow
us onIntake Manager
Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to encourage your
friends
join us! Manager
Kelly
Burns,toFinance
Cover: Volunteers drove 600 miles to get Annie (12-425)
and her 10 puppies safely into RAGOM’s care.
Design: Kristin Koppin
©2015 Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota, Inc.
Follow us on social media and at ragom.org
OUR MISSION
ADOPT
Ben Harris, IT Manager
Tracy Berg, Adoption Manager
To rescue and rehome unwanted, abused,
Lake,
Manager
Each year,
400 dogs
will come
to RAGOMAmy
in need
of Development
a second chance.
neglected
and over
displaced
Golden
Retrievers
Carolyn Otto, Events Manager
and Golden Retriever mixes, and locate
Jan Stone, Administrative Manager
permanent homes for them. We advocate
responsible
pet
ownership
and
support
Dayle
Foster Manager
Visit www.ragom.org for more information on how
youStubbs,
can help.
animal abuse and neglect prevention
Stephanie Perri, Marketing/Communications
programs, as well as spay/neuter initiatives.
Manager
4
ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES
WITH RAGOM’S HELP, RESCUED PUP SURVIVES
POTENTIALLY FATAL ILLNESS
system can be bolstered enough to fight the
virus and reduce the effects. Remi was given
medications to fight the vomiting, fluids to help
replace what was lost through vomiting and
diarrhea, and antibiotics to help rebuild her
damaged immune system.
After a day-long stay at the vet, Remi was able
to go to her foster home. When she arrived,
she was exhausted and uninterested in food
or water. The 6-week old pup was too thin,
weighing in just above 5 pounds. After some
rest, she gained some energy and began
to eat and drink. Within 4 days she was
up to 8 pounds, a tremendous increase. A
couple weeks later she was able to start her
vaccinations and have her spay surgery.
It’s hard to find a Golden puppy not prepared
to steal your heart. Remi was no exception
and her natural energy and happiness were
a fit for a nice family that purchased her
from a roadside stand. Unfortunately, a few
days after she got to her new home, she
started to get sick. Remi was unable to keep
food and water down and lost all her puppy
exuberance. Concerned, her family took her to
an emergency vet, where she was diagnosed
with parvovirus.
Parvo is a very dangerous virus for dogs
and Remi’s chance of survival was 50/50.
Emergency treatment was started right away
and after spending over $1,000 on her care
those first few hours, her owners quickly
realized they couldn’t afford the long and
expensive treatment for Parvo. Searching for
help, they contacted Retrieve a Golden of
Minnesota in the early morning hours. Within a
few hours, RAGOM had Remi at an emergency
vet clinic, and she began receiving medications
and fluids to help her fight the Parvo.
Currently there is no cure for Parvo; nothing
is able to kill the virus. But with enough
supportive care, it’s possible a dog’s immune
her home. Remi spent her time playing with
her foster sister Willow and enjoyed going for
walks. While her foster volunteer was at work,
Remi stayed with another foster family
for companionship.
In late September, she was adopted by Kate
McCoy and Kelsey Willis. In her new home,
Remi goes to day camp and loves to play with
the other dogs. With her family, she’s travelled
to the Lake of the Ozarks and had a great
time swimming and playing in the water. She
completed obedience training and is thriving in
her new home.
Remi’s family says they are grateful to have
her. “We were hooked on Remi the first time we
read her story on the RAGOM website. She was
so sick with parvo and thanks to RAGOM was
able to receive the treatment she needed to
make a full recovery. Remi’s now eight months
old, full of energy and weighs a very solid 50
pounds. Thanks to RAGOM, Remi is one very
lucky (and slightly spoiled) dog!”
Remi was out of the woods and her prognosis
looked great. One of her littermates wasn’t so
lucky. RAGOM learned that her two littermates
and another Black Lab puppy that had been
at the roadside stand with her had also
contracted parvovirus. Unfortunately, one of her
littermates was not able to beat the virus and
died. Her other sibling, Lily, and the Black Lab
puppy were able to get treatment and
are thriving.
As Remi started to feel better, her personality
emerged and she turned into a spunky, happy,
energetic pup. Her nickname became “The
Energizer Bunny” as she never seemed to
stop going. Remi was a smart little puppy. Her
foster shared in one of Remi’s updates that
she learned unique ways to get up on the bed,
including using her foster sister’s tail as a rope.
A little less than a month after she was first
diagnosed with Parvo, she completed her
vaccines and weighed in at a perfectly normal
13.4 lbs. She made a television appearance
to promote the Goldzilla fundraising event,
and charmed the TV studio crew. Her happy
and energetic personality seemed contagious
and more than a few people wanted to take
Remi (14-265)
6
7
2014 ACTIVITIES AND RESULTS
85 $47,000 192
9
130,032 401
6,500
468
% 250
100
191
1,312
525
Our annual Goldzilla fundraiser is the largest
Golden Retriever event in the Midwest.
An estimated 800 people and their dogs participated
in the Walk for Rescue, raising nearly $80,000.
398 Supporters helped us raise over
In 2014, RAGOM
participated in 85
community events to
promote adoption and
educate our communities
about our mission
on Give to the Max Day.
dogs spayed or neutered
75 Meet & Greets at
pet-related retail locations
Number of dogs adopted
RAGOM rescues dogs from
9 states. We serve Minnesota,
North and South Dakota, Iowa,
and Western Wisconsin, and have
partnerships with organizations in
Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky,
and Georgia.
miles were traveled by
RAGOM volunteers transporting dogs
Our Lost Dog Rapid Response team successfully found
23 dogs that were reported missing – a success rate of
dogs placed in foster homes
78% of the
dogs were
located within
24 hours.
approximate number of volunteers
who make our work possible
Facebook followers
veterinary partners
Foster volunteers
• 5 dogs were treated for heartworm
• 12 dogs were treated for tick-borne diseases
• 7 dogs had surgery on a hip or elbow
• 4 dogs had knee surgery
• 25 - Approximately 25%
of the dogs we took in
were seniors
Twitter followers
8
9
FINANCIAL REPORT 2014
RETRIEVE A GOLDEN OF MINNESOTA 2014 INCOME STATEMENT
TOTAL EXPENSE
REVENUE
Expenses Total – $434,731
Revenue Total – $464,933
Management & General
10%
Investment Income
0%
Program
81%
PROGRAM EXPENSE
Dog Purchases
4%
Dog Supplies
4%
Other
0%
Fundraising Events
16%
Fundraising
9%
Program Revenue
Contributions and Grants
55%
(Adoptions and Applications)
29%
RETRIEVE A GOLDEN OF MINNESOTA 2014 BALANCE SHEET
Other
Office and IT
4%
Boarding
14%
2014 ASSETS & LIABILITIES
250000
2014 Total Assets – $219,014
2014 Total Liabilities – $19,377
2014 Net Assets – $199,637
200000
150000
2013 ASSETS & LIABILITIES
2013 Total Assets – $185,863
2013 Total Liabilities – $16,428
2013 Net Assets – $169,435
Veterinary
74%
250000
250000
200000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Year 2014
Year 2013
Net Assets
Year 2014
Year 2013
10
DENNY AND SUNNY
“RAGOM IS A PREMIER RESCUE NOT
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE EXCELLENT
QUALITY OF CARE DOGS RECEIVE,
BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE
QUALITY, SKILLS, AND DEDICATION
OF THEIR VOLUNTEERS. THEY SET
THE BAR HIGH.”
— CYNTHIA E., RAGOM SUPPORTER
AND RETIRED BOARD MEMBER
“I provided him with a good home and lots of
love, but he gave me a new life full of hope
and joy.”
Sometimes a dog is more than a companion.
In Denny’s case, Sunny was the therapy he
needed to move on from a life-changing event.
In 2000, Denny experienced an unexpected
and painful divorce that left him devastated and
lonely. One of the first things he did during this
time was begin to look at adopting a Golden
Retriever, as he “wanted the company, and
absolute loving affection and adoration that
this breed excels at.” He contacted RAGOM,
passed the screening process, and one-yearold Sunny was delivered to him just before
Christmas that same year.
This special dog arrived from South Dakota,
having survived a bullet that entered his
hind leg and went through his stomach. He
was found on the side of the road by a good
Samaritan, and his owner couldn’t be located.
A vet removed as much shrapnel as possible
before Sunny began his new life with Denny.
“We became attached at the hip immediately,
and he would never leave my side,” Denny
Sunny (00-284)
Fostering is one of the most important and rewarding volunteer opportunities.
Foster volunteers provide care and companionship until a permanent family is
found. RAGOM covers all veterinary costs. Fosters choose the dog they’d like
to foster, and help select the family who adopts their dog.
VOLUNTEER
Named for his personality and warmth, Sunny
loved squeaky toys, wrestling, life in general,
Denny’s new wife...and especially Denny.
Sadly, Sunny developed a terminal illness,
and died in January, 2015. Denny contacted
RAGOM soon after to say thanks. “He was such
a blessing! Thank you, and thank RAGOM, for
all the good work you do to help we humans,
as well as the dogs that need a home. You are
truly doing God’s work (I heard a rumor that
she is actually a Golden Retriever).”
DONATE
RAGOM would not survive without the generosity and boundless energy of
our volunteers. Opportunities include transporting dogs, special events, data
entry, marketing, home visits, and more. Many volunteer projects and activities
can be done remotely from your home.
RAGOM relies heavily on donations to support our rescue efforts.
Giving opportunities include:
• Make a contribution, or sponsor a dog in our care
• Sign up for automatic monthly donations
• Create a lasting legacy – include RAGOM in your estate plans
For questions about donating to RAGOM, contact Amy Lake, Development
Manager, at amy.lake@ragom.org
FUNDRAISE
Join us for Goldzilla, our biggest fundraiser of the year. This year’s event will be
September 13, 2015. Raise pledges to support the dogs in our care – and earn
great prizes, too!
In 2014, RAGOM volunteers collectively
traveled 130,032 miles to transport 551 dogs.
It’s just one example of how RAGOM goes to
great lengths--and long rides--to rescue dogs
in need of help and get them medical attention,
foster care and compassion, and one step
closer
to their
foreverdrove
family.
Cover:
Volunteers
600 miles to get Annie (12-425)
and her 10 puppies safely into RAGOM’s care.
FOSTER
said. “I cannot begin to describe the emotional
bond that developed between us over the
next 14 years. When I first got him, I was in
despair—an emotional wreck. Seeing his
constant adoration and total love at all times
literally rescued me! ”
THE LONG JOURNEY HOME
Boone can attest to this commitment. We’re
not sure
where
he Koppin
got his start, but his story
Design:
Kristin
with RAGOM began at the Humane Society
©2015 County
Retrievein
a Golden
Minnesota,
Inc.
of Sullivan
Indianaofback
in January
2014. A foster home in Minnesota was secured
through RAGOM, and through the assistance
of Pilots N Paws, he began his journey, which
included a flight from Indiana to Illinois and
Follow
on social
media and
at ragom.org
a flight
fromusIllinois
to Blaine,
Minnesota.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
FOLLOW US
Visit our website to sign up for our email communications, and follow us on
Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to encourage your friends to join us!
Boone (14-024)
With the help of a couple of fantastic pilots –
and a Thundershirt – Boone made it safely. He
was neutered, microchipped, and given his
shots and medication for heartworm. A couple
months later, he went home with his forever
family, which includes a new canine
companion, Buddy.
ADOPT
Each year, over 400 dogs will come to RAGOM in need of a second chance.
Visit www.ragom.org for more information on how you can help.
“FOSTERING IS A COMPLETE LOVE AFFAIR. IT WAS
SOMETHING WE THOUGHT WE COULD NEVER DO,
BUT FOUND OUT IT’S SOMETHING WE WILL NEVER
STOP DOING.”
—- Julie S, RAGOM volunteer