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LABMED 1998 Annual Report
I. Mission Statement and IntroductionLabrador-L Emergency Medical Assistance (LABMED) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to provide emergency monies to offset expenses incurred in the veterinary medical treatment of ill or injured Labrador Retrievers in a rescue situation. LABMED is a potential resource where funding medical treatment for an abandoned or rescued dog is unavailable or inadequate, owing to but not limited to: insufficient funds available through a local Labrador Retriever or general rescue organization for treatment of dogs, lack of a local Labrador Retriever or general rescue organization, or exhaustion of all other avenues of funding. What is LABMED? LABMED is an Internet based organization with international representation. By using the communication powers of the Internet, LABMED is able to intercede rapidly on the behalf of deserving Labrador Retrievers worldwide. The ultimate goal of LABMED is to help raise the quality of life and adoptability of rescued animals who are expected to regain good health and who display the positive temperament which so defines the Labrador as a breed. LABMED provides these dogs with the opportunity to lead happy, healthy lives in stable loving homes. In addition, through its efforts and the example it sets, LABMED aims to stimulate a dialogue that will educate the general public about rescue animals and rescue organizations. LABMED is an organization that is meeting its challenges head on with professionalism and enthusiasm. 1998 has been an incredible year for LABMED. It was somewhere between a "re-birth" and a "coming of age". LABMED was conceived and born out of the "Buddy" crisis. Since its birth, the organization has been confronted with rapid growth and a growing need for organization. At the end of LABMED's second year, the organization blossomed. The beginning of the year saw the development of on-line Board meetings, structured committee assignments, the beginnings of an Operations Manual, and application for 501(c)(3) status, in addition to revisions to the Mission Statement, Funding Guidelines and Bylaws. In the midst of a growing demand for LABMED funding, LABMED's Board Members began an ambitious planning process that would increase their volunteer workload enormously. Those interns who joined the Board in mid-1998 joined an organization that had accomplished a tremendous amount in the first half of the year. This growth continues, not without some growing pains, at an incredible pace. Our fund granting activities reflect the success and necessity of our organization.
II. Funding ActivitiesLABMED's primary purpose is to assist in the rescue of Labradors by funding those medical costs that cannot be borne by local rescue groups or individual rescuers. LABMED started with a sad little man called Bullet, who later came to be known as Buddy. Bullet had been abused, had festering gunshot wounds and had been hit by a car. Buddy is now a happy, carefree (despite the amputation of one front leg) dog who serves as LABMED's ambassador at many Labrador Specialty shows and other events. After Buddy, other applications came in, and the number of applications has increased incredibly over the first three years of LABMED's existence.
January,February, March 1998 - Our first quarter started with an application to help Dakota, an older dog, who was given a second chance by LABMED. Four additional applications were approved, allowing a new life for Emmy, Kahlua, Brownie and Charlie. April, May, June 1998 - This was a busy quarter for us, during which Sophia, Missy, Jessie, Nugget and Travis joined the ranks of LABMED's successes. July, August, September 1998 - Applications were approved for Charlie2, Clementine, Heidi, Higgins, Sully, Casey and Molly. October, November, December 1998 - Started with funding for Katie. Approval of Maura, Shadow and O'Keefe's applications rounded out our year Not all LABMED applications are approved. LABMED is careful to screen and double check each application making sure that guidelines are met. Furthermore, LABMED's Veterinary Advisory Board is consulted where there are questions about procedures and expected outcomes. Applications for dogs that have owners cannot be approved, even though these are sometimes heartwrenching pleas. On some occasions, an application is withdrawn when other funding is found, and sometimes... ...we run into a very sad situation where the dog cannot be saved. LABMED's web page lists the successes. It also pays tribute to one for whom help came too late -- a very dear old dog named Colby. Colby was 9-years-old, diabetic and had a thyroid condition. She might have become one of LABMED's successes, except that she was also found to be heartworm positive. A preventable disease, heartworm is terribly prevalent in rescue dogs. While in many cases it is curable, Colby's otherwise poor condition and medical problems made her prognosis very poor. She joins the ranks of LABMED Dogs in our hearts, but does so from the Rainbow Bridge and serves as an ambassador by hopefully educating people about the tragedy of heartworm disease.
III. Goals and ObjectiveDue to continuing Public Relations efforts on the Internet and heightened awareness of LABMED in the Labrador rescue community, LABMED's caseload continues to skyrocket. By the end of 1998, LABMED has funded over 30 ill or injured Labrador Retrievers or Lab-mixes, giving them a second chance at adoption many would not have had otherwise. Based on current trends, we anticipate that in 1999 we will fund more than twice as many dogs as we did in 1998 and 1997 combined (an increase from 20 grants to upwards of 50). This will translate to an increase of 200% or more in funds granted. This tremendous increase will most likely be a direct result of our outreach efforts. In future years, we anticipate that the need for our services will continue to grow. To meet this growing need head on we have set the following three objectives: Raise Public Awareness, Increase Revenue, and Board and Staff Development. Objective 1: Raise Public Awareness Although initially we communicated the availability of our services via several e-mail list-serves, we are continually thinking about how our outreach could be better. Over the course of the next few years, in addition to the Internet, we will use more conventional methods of communication (e.g., ground mail and telephone) to outreach to those individuals and organizations who may not be connected to the Internet. We will begin by targeting Labrador Retriever Rescue Organizations, then Labrador Retriever Clubs and All Breed Clubs, then animal shelters to create a world wide network of assistance.
Objective 2: Increase Revenues In fulfillment of our mission we are dedicated to raising the funds necessary to meet the needs of the Labrador rescue community. Some of our current and future plans include increasing our direct donor base, initiate a corporate fund raising campaign, and offering a wide selection of LABMED merchandise.
Objective 3: Board and Staff Development The nature of our operation (Internet based) creates special challenges for board, staff and volunteer development. Our future plans include filling out the Board, establishing a broad volunteer base, and opening a small office.
IV. Financial Statement
Funding levels for dogs are expected to bring 1999 expenditures to a new high. LABMED's policy has been to ensure that direct donations are spent on funding dogs rather than on administrative costs. LABMED's Fundraising Committee through various product sales, funds administrative costs and also generates funds to supplement aide payments. 1996 Donation Income - $1,119 Balance carried over to 1997 - $969 1997 Donation Income - $4,460 Balance Carried over to 1998 - $2,560 1998 Donation Income - $12,149 Balance carried over to 1999 - $6,301
V. Directors, Officers, and Advisory BoardsThe LABMED Board of Directors consists of members from a wide range of backgrounds and geographical locations. Heather Bowden is a small business owner in Texas. LABMED'S Officers Laurie McDonough, President 8/97-12/98 LABMED's Veterinary Advisory Board This group assists LABMED by answering technical veterinary questions about a dog's condition, treatment and prognosis. Currently the following individuals serve on this panel: Adrienne Hudson-Willett, DVM
Some of Our Successes LABMED'S successes have allowed numerous very special Labradors to move from a painful existence and certain death to the happiness that every dog deserves.
More LABMED Success Stories
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