From Behind the Scenes

For all its 33 years, Wildlife Rescue has survived and flourished due to the commitment of its supporters. It began with no written budget, animals in Lynn Cuny's bedrooms and backyard, and she up in the wee hours to run a paper route whose proceeds supported her work. Then, year by year, things changed: first a move to a sanctuary on four acres in Leon Springs, then to 21 acres in Boerne, and in the year 2000 to 187 acres in Kendalia, where our main operations are and will always be. It now costs over a million dollars a year to buy the food and medicines, pay the staff, and keep up with all the other necessities of caring for close to 6,000 wild animals in rehabilitation each year and over 600 wild, farmed, and companion animals who (except for dogs and cats who will be adopted) will live here for their lifetimes.

Since WRR receives no government funding, it all depends on individual donors and foundations to provide the support that keeps us going. And we are fortunate to have especially dedicated and generous members and reliable foundations who recognize the value and quality of our work for animals and demonstrate this through their assistance. About 80% of our annual income comes from citizens who dig deep and write checks, and who have the assurance that their help goes to good uses.

I became involved with Wildlife Rescue just as Lynn, the Founder, was signing the papers to buy the property near Kendalia in 2000. I had worked in nonprofit organizations since 1973, the first 21 years in mental health settings and then in animal protection. My first work for WRR was helping Lynn raise the money to build a sanctuary from scratch--it turned out to be a two and a half million dollar project, one that has produced a state of the art facility. Most of the funds came from foundations who provided grants to build enclosures, barns, offices, clinic, nutrition center, and roads; to drill wells, bring in mobile homes for intern housing, purchase work vehicles, and provide the furnishings and equipment that allowed staff to do their jobs. It was an amazing time with many balls in the air at the same time, but it has come to a fruition that everyone at WRR is proud of.

How do we raise the funds to keep Wildlife Rescue activities humming? What we call our Annual Fund consists of a variety of activities:
*Four newsletters a year provide information and invite donations.
*Four direct appeals to our 8,000 or so donors asking for help.
*Two special events--Win a Wild Ride to Save Wildlife is held every spring in San Antonio and Walk on the Wild Side is in the fall in Boerne.
*Bequests naming Wildlife Rescue provide unpredictable but vital help.
*Personal phone calls to donors asking for support for specific projects and needs.
*We are members of Earth Share of Texas, a workplace giving campaign for environmental organizations.
*We have a Thrift Store, called the Squirrel's Nest, and our online store.
*Foundation grant requests.

Every year is suspenseful as we watch the ups and downs of the economy and the amountl of our contributions. Some years end in the red, others in the black. Over time, it seems to balance out, although some times are especially worrisome. But people care about wildlife and know that WRR is a unique organization that is well known and well respected, and they show they care with their donations.

My part in all this is to write the grant applications and work with Lynn and Angela preparing newsletters and appeals and planning other ways of reaching out to supporters and trying to attract new ones. It is good work for an excellent organization, and I am very pleased to play my small part in its success.

Dr. Craig Brestrup