Before dawn on the morning of Giving Tuesday 2024, Rescue Ranch Alter Assistance Program (RRAAP) volunteer Janis Hernandez pulled out of the Adoption Center parking lot with her cargo of eight community dogs awaiting spay/neuter in Klamath Falls. At the Sanctuary, Operations Manager Laura Finley began her daily rounds—feeding household fosters, checking on the whelping shed litters, and giving Aslan the Newfie his twice-daily seizure meds. As the sun peeked over the horizon, there was a palpable hum of anticipation across the valley. Thousands of people were eager to support their community through the North State Giving online portal.
Giving is natural to dogs–and humans too
Here in Lake Shastina, I woke to sunshine sparkling on white hoar frost and knew it would be a good day. Sun, after four days of fog! I checked my phone and saw the photos and videos popping in from Laura at the Sanctuary. I rushed to my computer to post them to our Facebook page and opened the Rescue Ranch Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign. Already over $6,000 and the day had only just begun! I jumped for joy when I saw we earned the $1,000 6 AM prize for the most individual donors. Our early givers had provided a solid foundation for the fundraising of the next fourteen hours.
We’re all made to be givers. Whether we give of our talents, time, love, forbearance, creativity, or capital, generosity is fundamental to our lives. Maybe that’s why we humans have such a profound connection with dogs. Dogs, too, are natural givers. They give of themselves unconditionally, whether we deserve it or not: tail wags, paw shakes, cold nose boops, kisses, cuddles, joy, vivacity, enthusiasm for life. Dogs are so good. And they give that good so naturally.
A successful Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign
This is the first time I’ve helped run a fundraising campaign, and it was beautiful to see the donations pour in throughout the day. Each of our 199 online givers contributed what they were able, large or small. It’s not the size of the donation that matters—it’s the spirit with which it’s given. Together, we raised almost $31,000 through our Giving Tuesday 2024 campaign. But what makes me feel truly rich was the way the community came together to support the dogs.
Goodness knows that dog rescue isn’t easy. The journey has highs and lows, bright meadows as well as dark woods. Every single day has its challenges and there’s never a break. In fact, we welcomed two four-month-old pups from the Scott Valley on Giving Tuesday. These new little ones are safe and warm in the clinic at the Rescue Ranch Sanctuary.
At Rescue Ranch, giving time and energy to care for the dogs is a way of life. Today we’re buoyed by gratitude and hope, re-energized by your generosity. To all our supporters—whether you give your time and talents as volunteers, your homes as adopters and fosters, or your means as donors and monthly sustainers—thank you. And, especially, thank you on behalf of the dogs. Your giving means everything to them.
