Can I raise money for this?

Charityworker

As some of you may know I've just started a pet sitting business which is going OK. I've had a few people contact me asking me to take on an unwanted pet of theirs and help them rehome it. I've also had a few contact from people needing emergency animal care (going into hospital at short notice) asking for free care for their animals. I'd love to be able to do this but obviously cant bear the cost from my own money.

Is here any way I could run a fund raising event (say a sponsored dog walk) and say that the funds can pay for X amount of free animal care for x amount of time?

I dont do dogs, cats or livestock so there wont be any licenses involved.

Charityworker

Sorry what I meant to say was I dont do dogs cats or livestock overnight. I do these in their own home. Overnight care is just small animals and exotics.

reehsetin

Why not initially see if you can pair up with an existing rescue and support each other?
You can help them out and they can support with rehoming and helping animals in need?
I'm not the most knowledgeable but the first issue I see is that rehoming and emergency care is much more suited to a charity rather than a business, a few places do both but I think they tend to be a rescue first who do pet sitting for additional funds

DKLS

I would focus on your business and point these people top the local re-homing services.
People will always try and take advantage of your good nature and will take a mile if you give them an inch, remember your running a business.

Kayalana99

I doubt you can pull this off.

I know its not your intentions, but your basicly saying 'Give me money so I can pay myself wages'

Personally I wouldn't donate to that, if I was you I would have a set fee for emergancy care...so that if anyone rings you up short notice they should already be aware that they have to pay it (less likey to ask for it for free if they know about it beforehand)

I know some people aren't well off but end day your running a business and I doubt you are charging a great deal for pet sitting...I'm sure they can put their hand in the pocket to pay you if you set a price.

I also couldn't imagaine their being that many situations like this though? I mean how often does someone go in to hospital etc anyway..

Mistral001

DKLS wrote: »

I would focus on your business and point these people top the local re-homing services.
People will always try and take advantage of your good nature and will take a mile if you give them an inch, remember your running a business.

I totally agree, you might think you are "helping out" but people need to know what services you provide and the cost of those services so that they can make their own decisions as to whether to employ you. If some services are provided free your customers will get confused and uneasy unless it is clearly explained why you are providing them free.

As others have said if is a service that can be provided by a charity then I would refer them to that charity leaving you to concentrate on the core of your business.