Summer, 2008
Dear Milo Friends, Adopters, and Fellow Animal Lovers:
It is with a heavy heart that I have to let everyone know that Milo must severely cut our rescue operations and we will not be able to continue our work here in the Bay Area. Sadly, to have a no-kill organization and a sanctuary in California is proving to be too costly.
While the red tape in Marin County and San Rafael has been nothing like our experience on Solano Avenue in Berkeley, it has been, nevertheless, a time consuming, costly and draining experience. We finally received our permit to function and be open to the public with animals for adoption, and with the hanging of a new exit sign, we would meet with the fire marshal’s last requirement and finally concentrate on our mission of rescuing and finding good homes for animals in need. However, we are out of funds.
Sadly, as we hang a new lighted exit sign, it is ironic that the EXIT sign illuminates our departure from Milo Marin – before we could even have a sign out front saying THE MILO FOUNDATION. Milo simply can't afford to maintain an indoor adoption center and rescue facility here in the Bay Area.
We had a successful Montclair Pet Fair yesterday placing 16 animals, and we look forward to the Bay Area Pet Fair at the Marin Civic Center in September – a terrific event and possibly one of Milo’s last . . .
At its June meeting, the Milo board voted 2 to 3 that we must close down Bay Area operations to insure that the heart of Milo, our Sanctuary in Mendocino County, can continue to thrive. At this time, we don’t have the resources to have two locations.
Tragically, this means the end of rescuing and placing more than a thousand animals every year. Not having an indoor permanent space to show animals really means the end of rescuing adult cats and many dogs. We have installed our show cages in the front room in Marin, and we have many momma cats in foster care with their litters of kittens . . . how we will find them homes is just one of the current concerns. Think about it - to be in one of the country’s most affluent and animal friendly counties made so much sense and to now have to close down is more than heartbreaking!
Although we operate Milo on a bare bones budget, the escalating costs of insurance, vet bills, workers comp, coupled with the past years decline in adoption fees and donations while we waited for permits in Marin and concentrated critical staff time on developing protocols and systems, this very painful decision was made – before we could even get our doors open!
In hearing this news, a few friends of Milo who have been waiting eagerly for us to OPEN in Marin have offered to help. One generous donor wants to pay the rent for two months, another is donating a restored, classic vehicle for Milo which will fetch a handsome price . . . Our landlord renegotiated and lowered the rent in an effort to help. A couple of Milo volunteers have offered to help maintain activities there and care for the animals, help with adoptions, and answer phones . . . we could maintain it on a fairly low budget for awhile, but in order to even contemplate keeping our facility in Marin, Milo needs further monthly support in the form of $25, $50, $75 and $100 monthly sponsorships, or annual memberships.
https://www.milofoundation.org
HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE: TO AFFORD TO OPERATE IN THE BAY AREA, MILO NEEDS TO RAISE AN ADDITIONAL $100,000 BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER, AND THE BOARD CAN ONLY RECONSIDER THIS DRAMATIC DECISION IF THERE ARE SERIOUS AND SIGNIFICANT COMMITMENTS BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.
MILO HAS RESCUED MORE THAN 16,000 ANIMALS IN OUR 14 YEAR HISTORY. We have impacted more than 100,000 individuals and families with our services. If you have adopted, or have been helped with an animal, please consider a significant donation today and/or a membership, so that we might continue to help other four-legged furry friends in need! http://www.milofoundation.org
You can designate your donation for a specific use -- to directly help save lives in danger at California’s high-kill shelters, to fund emergency medical care, or to help maintain the lives of the animals at our sanctuary.
I will continue to lead Milo’s rescue and adoption services, but the future for Milo’s rescue and adoptions is unknown at this point - we will only be able to rescue a trickle of animals from Lake and Mendocino Counties at the Milo Sanctuary. We will continue to utilize our volunteers and have animals in foster care in the Bay Area, but honestly, depending solely on mobile adoptions for placement is nearly impossible to maintain year round. I welcome the chance to discuss this situation by phone, email and/or in person.
On a positive note, I am pleased to announce that Davide Ulivieri, who has worked at our Sanctuary for the last 5 years, will step into a CEO role for the Milo Sanctuary. Under Davide's leadership the Sanctuary is in good hands.
Since founding Milo in 1994 so much has changed in the rescue community – there have been some positive changes. This year promised to be one of HOPE, however it is now very uncertain. I am extremely proud of the remarkable success of Milo and I know now that for this to continue it needs many more people who can step up to the plate and make a significant contribution. The critical need for these critters has not gone away. There is nothing else I want to be doing, but as with any business, we’ve got to mind the bottom line. Milo and the thousands of animals who we can rescue need your help today!
Please, dig deep, and give what you can, and also forward this email to those you know who may be in a position to help. As always, thanks so much for caring.
Sincerely,
Lynne
Lynne Tingle
Founder
www.milofoundation.org
lat@milofoundation.org
The Milo Foundation
PO Box 6625
Albany CA 94706
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