Do Good Grants — Our Story
I have always been inspired by Margaret Mead who said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
We believe that with a little help, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.
We are starting Do Good Grants to put the seeds of change, in the form of micro-grants, into the hands of change-makers who have an idea which will make the world a better place. By funding a force of “Do Gooders” we can bring exponentially more goodness to the world, make meaningful changes, solve problems, and continue to inspire others to do the same.
We know about this first hand. Here’s our Do Good Story:
In January, 2001 my husband and I began volunteering at San Luis Obispo County Animal Services.
When we got there, we found there were only handful of volunteers and a totally unstructured volunteer program. There also was a very high euthanasia rate. We found that highly adoptable animals were euthanized solely because there was neither a driving force to get them adopted nor an organization to make this happen. New volunteers often left because the constant threat of unnecessary euthanasia was so emotionally unsettling.
We wondered: How do we get the word out about these great animals? How do we build a volunteer force? How do we get these homeless pets adopted?
We found some talented people among the volunteers who created a website with the animals’ photos and descriptions. More people came to see the animals that they had viewed on the website. Volunteers got better at adoption counseling, and the adoptions started happening. More adoptions meant fewer animals were put to sleep. Our success brought more and more volunteers and our manpower grew.
In the spring of 2001, we were approached by Charter Cable. They asked if we would provide them with some animal photos they could show between some of the shows on Public Access TV. We decided instead of a few pictures, we wanted to film all of the animals who were available for adoption, and say a few words about each of them in a thirty-minute TV show. Charter gave us the go-ahead, lent us a camera and Rescue Me was born! A TV show starring the homeless animals at the pound debuted on April 23, 2001.
Because of Rescue Me, adopters came, volunteers came, and euthanasia rates slowed. We were thrilled.
To improve our production, we needed our own video camera and basic editing equipment. A single donation made this happen. With additional donations, we were also able to buy everything needed to have Adopt-A-Pets around the county, expanding the venues for adoptions.
By the end of 2001, we formed a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Animal Shelter Adoption Partners, Inc. (ASAP) allowed us to solicit donations and expand our programs. The mission statement of ASAP is to end unnecessary euthanasia in SLO County. With continuing donations we were able to fund more Adopt-a Pets, and we also began new programs to support the volunteers who provided foster care to shelter animals. We also provided adoption fee rebates for Senior and hard to adopt animals. We hired trainers to work with less adoptable animals, and groomers to make them presentable.
By 2004 with a great volunteer force in place, a cooperative and supportive county staff, and several pro-active programs, the euthanasia rate (for adoptable animals) was down to ZERO….yes ZERO. Ten years later, the programs we started are still in place and the euthanasia rate remains extremely low.
That’s our ‘Change Maker’ story. Two of us, with a few donated dollars, started a small movement that brought more and more people to our cause, and resulted in permanent programs that continue to this day, saving hundreds of pets every year.
We look forward to hearing your ‘Change Maker’ story, and perhaps helping you make a difference in the world.
Terry Parry
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”