Non-profit for vet care? And others w/ 501(c)(3) knowledge?

[Deleted]

I saw that someone mentioned it on here last week but I can't find the post now. Does anyone have a name or contact for it? TIA.

On a somewhat related note (not why I am asking for that contact info) , H and I are working on our estate plan right now, and I have decided I want to create a similar organization, for dogs and with an emphasis on huskies, that gives interest free loans and grants for vet care depending on need. It would not exist until I die, and the idea would be to endow it with our estate (our brothers were told over thanksgiving and took the news . . . Not well ?), but I frankly have no idea where to start. I don't even know how much is needed to endow an organization like that. Does anyone have any experience starting a fund like that? Or suggestions about whom I would want to contact? Would it be insane to ask our friends to serve as the trustees/board and be responsible for administering it, or is this the type of thing that also needs full time staff (which would make it substantially less feasible given the likely endowment amount).

[cohmom]

This is a really tough topic and clearly you have a great intention. I love the idea and I know you'll find a way to make it work for your estate. Many of the life saving procedures are time sensitive. Most veterinarians require large deposits or costs upfront simply because as a community we can't afford to lend money like that. You might have sucess asking your local VMA (veterinary medical association) to suggest trustee candidates within the area you'd like to target. Avma has a fund but honestly it doesn't have much traction because vets don't have time or awareness for the program.
What a fantastic way to use your estate.

[cohmom]

I will look up the names and contact information of the organizations I know about later if that helps

[TrickyBob]

Was it the frankies one from my thread?

I love this idea. <3

[nomad100]

Given the time sensitive nature of some emergency services like cohmom indicated, you may want to reach out to your breeder community to see if there are certain vet practices that seem to be the ones that local husky owners go to and see about setting up some relationships with those practices to start. Start locally and then expand as you get more info on practices and organizations further away.

I am thinking of one of the lead docs at my vet's office. He cares for probably like 75-80% of the bulldogs in a 100 mile radius because everyone knows he is the guy to go to if you have a bulldog in my area. If I were looking to set something up to benefit bulldog owners with medical expenses, he's the one I would talk to since I know so many come to him. He would also likely know if there was anything similar nationally that I could piggy back my efforts with.

[nomad100]

Dec 1, 2015 15:27:36 GMT -5 mp said:

Dec 1, 2015 15:24:57 GMT -5 nomad100 said:

Given the time sensitive nature of some emergency services like cohmom indicated, you may want to reach out to your breeder community to see if there are certain vet practices that seem to be the ones that local husky owners go to and see about setting up some relationships with those practices to start. Start locally and then expand as you get more info on practices and organizations further away.

I am thinking of one of the lead docs at my vet's office. He cares for probably like 75-80% of the bulldogs in a 100 mile radius because everyone knows he is the guy to go to if you have a bulldog in my area. If I were looking to set something up to benefit bulldog owners with medical expenses, he's the one I would talk to since I know so many come to him. He would also likely know if there was anything similar nationally that I could piggy back my efforts with.

Butchko?

Nope.  I am in MI so it is someone different.  

[Deleted]

@trickybob- yes, I think it was! It was your post, actually, that made me think of it. We have no children, so we were always planning to leave everything to the animals, and H has the organization he wants to leave his portion of the estate already selected (it's an elephant rescue). I think that's a great cause, but it isn't *my* cause.

I'm pretty sure veterinary funding is though. I was horrible with money in college, and had bad credit for years (until H took over my bills). I really could have been in that same situation in my 20's, and OMG, it just would have killed me. I would have done everything you did. So, this seems like the best sort of organization, because it helps *both* animals and people who love them. I had been sort of mulling various animal organizations for awhile, but this one hits all my key values.

Anyway, lots of thanks to everyone who responded. We will use an estate lawyer to draw up the estate plan- for now it's just a will printed out and signed by us - but I don't think the lawyer will know how to set up a foundation. So, any information anyone can share would be very helpful.

[cohmom]

Found my list. PM your email address and I will send it to you.

[screwedup]

Were you thinking of what I posted - Frankie's Friends? They help people who can't afford large and unexpected vet bills. My estate goes there.

[Deleted]

Dec 1, 2015 17:54:07 GMT -5 screwedup said:

Were you thinking of what I posted - Frankie's Friends? They help people who can't afford large and unexpected vet bills. My estate goes there.

YES!