FUNDING CRITERIA FOR THE KEESHOND SUNSHINE RESCUE FOUNDATION (KSRF)
also known as the "Sunshine Fund"

Effective: 8 July 1999

NOTE: The Sunshine Fund became actively available 12/1/1997. Since that time, because of the generous support received, KSRF has been able to expand our funding coverage - on 1/1/1999 and again on 3/15/1999.

Although we would like to be able to provide full coverage of all costs associated with rescuing Keeshonden, it is realized that this is just not possible. We are, however, trying to do everything possible to ease the burden on rescuers on at least the medical expenses they incur - which can be overwhelming.

In order to help as much as possible, yet still protect the viability of the fund for future use, the following funding priorities have been established, under which we will operate:

Priority #1 - Puppy Mill Rescues/Auctions

Puppy mill rescues are our top priority, if and when they occur, because no other Keeshond rescue organizations support this type of rescue. By funding this type of rescue, it is hoped that fewer Keeshonden will make it into pet shops, and eventually into the overburdened rescue system.

Especially in areas where puppy mills are prevalent, and puppy millers sometimes dump whole litters of Kees (or all of their breeding stock, if they choose to get out of the breed) at shelters instead of working with rescue - KSRF agrees to treat large rescues of Keeshonden from a shelter as if the dogs were actually removed from the puppy mill itself.

KSRF will provide full coverage, including the initial cost of obtaining the dogs, emergency medical care, general health check-ups and spays/neuters. We will continue to provide 100% coverage of medical care for these dogs until they are placed in an adoptive home. This includes , but is not limited to, X-rays, medication, medical tests, and on-going treatment of serious medical conditions.

Coverage will be provided on an immediate basis, preferably paid directly to the attending veterinarian. This has the added benefit of saving the rescuer from having out-of-pocket costs for the medical bills.

In exchange for full medical coverage from time of acquisition until adoption, KSRF shall receive an adoption fee of at least $150 for each puppy mill rescued dog. In this way, the fund will be supported for future use for these types of rescues.

Priority #2 - Emergency Medical Care

KSRF will provide 100% coverage for life saving emergency medical procedures for rescued Keeshonden in foster care. These cases include, but are not limited to, heartworm treatment, surgery to repair trauma injuries (hit by car, severe burns, etc.) due to accident or abuse, diseases of life threatening severity (if treatable), etc.

Coverage will be provided on an immediate basis, preferably paid directly to the veterinarian. For cases where treatment will be prolonged, KSRF will work with the rescuer and the veterinarian to establish a payment plan. Coverage includes the actual surgical or treatment costs, diagnostic testing costs, medications, etc.

Priority #3 - Elective Procedures

Elective procedures are defined as non-emergency medical treatments to improve the quality of life, and to increase the chances of adoption of an otherwise placeable dog. Examples include, but are not limited to: knees, hips, exploratory surgery, blood tests, X-rays, any necessary diagnostic procedures to determine mode of treatment, and prescribed medications. KSRF will pay 100% of the costs for these procedures for rescued Keeshonden while in foster care.

Coverage for this category of funding will generally be paid on a reimbursement basis. Funding will be provided within days upon receipt of proof of payment of services to the attending veterinarian (copy of the vet bill is sufficient).

Priority #4 - Spays/Neuters - Routine Medical

In an effort to reduce the number of Keeshonden entering the already overburdened rescue system, KSRF is making available to foster care families funding coverage for spays and neuters of all rescued Keeshonden in foster care. By doing this, it is our hope that no rescued Keeshond will be adopted out without having been spayed or neutered because of the lack of financial means on the part of the foster homes.

Coverage includes any pre-surgical testing required, the actual surgical costs, and anesthetic. These costs will only be funded on a reimbursement basis.

KSRF will also provide funding for routine medications of a non-preventative nature, and diagnostic testing except for initial heartworm and fecal tests of new rescues.

Items Not Covered

Because KSRF is dedicated to providing funding for only medical costs associated with rescuing Keeshonden, we will not provide funding for: Transportation costs, equipment (such as collars, leashes, crates, toys, etc.), phone bills, shelter adoption fees, postage and paperwork costs, grooming, routine boarding (other than medically required by a vet for monitoring), food, and micro chipping/tattooing.

KSRF is not intended to fund all rescue costs. As such, we will not cover routine vaccination costs, initial heartworm testing, fecal exams, and preventative medications - except in the case of a puppy mill rescue. KSRF feels that rescuers who are not financially able to cover these initial costs, and the other non-medical routine costs of doing rescue, should not commit to caring for a rescued Keeshond.

Each rescuer, though well meaning, needs to take into consideration whether they have the personal ability (financially and otherwise) to handle the rescue operation BEFORE they make a commitment.

KSRF does not support mixed breed rescues, from the standpoint that there are many full bred Keeshonden in need, and we feel our funds should support their rescue and subsequent adoption into forever homes. All funding is dependent upon verification that the rescue is a pure bred Keeshond. Methods of verification, if in doubt, include but are not limited to: photos, vet confirmation, independent rescue volunteer verification, or other appropriate means in order to assure that all Keeshonden benefiting from the Sunshine Fund are pure bred.

KSRF is dedicated to reducing the out-of-pocket costs of overburdened rescuers for medical costs associated with doing rescue. By covering the medical costs, which can be overwhelming, we hope to free up the rescuers limited funds for other non-medical rescue expenses. Therefore, KSRF does not cover medical costs of rescued Keeshonden who have already been adopted. Once a Kees is adopted, the medical expenses for that dog are the responsibility of the adoptive family.

[New 8 July 99] KSRF can not and will not fund medical bills that are more than 30 days old. It is the rescuer's responsibility to contact KSRF as soon as a potential funding situation arises, so that our policies and procedures can be followed. These include KSRF contacting the vet to make payment directly, where applicable. In the case of elective procedures and routine medical costs, where the rescuer is to be reimbursed instead of paying the vet directly, KSRF should still be alerted when the dog goes in for the treatment, and the bill should be forwarded to KSRF immediately following the care rendered.

In addition, KSRF will not support anyone found to have submitted false documentation, abused and/or neglected the rescues in their care, and those who do not follow basic rescue ethics such as spaying/neutering. Not only will we not provide current funds, but these individuals will be suspended from consideration for a period of 5 years, and will be reported to KCA and TAKS for possible further rescue funding suspension.

Emergency Reserve

Funding requests will be considered and paid in order of the priorities listed above. An emergency reserve amount, or floor , of $1,000 has been set for the Sunshine Fund. Disbursement of available funds will continue, in accordance with our funding priorities, until the non-reserve amount is depleted. We will only go below our floor amount in the case of Priority #1 or Priority #2 situations. This policy has been established in order to protect the viability of the overall fund and to allow us to meet our commitments.

Procedures for Applying for Funds

In all cases, the rescuer who is requesting funding assistance should contact all board members via email with the specifics of the situation. Specific steps will be advised depending upon the individual case.

Also, we ask that all rescuers try to negotiate with their vets for discounted rates for medical procedures for rescues - or, especially in the case of high dollar value procedures, get some comparative quotes on comparable care. The more we can save on each funding request, the more there will be available for the next Kees in need.

Puppy Mill Rescues

1. Rescuer should submit all available information concerning the circumstances of the puppy mill rescue to KSRF via email. Information should include the name of puppy mill(er), location, phone number, number of dogs needing to be rescued, condition of dogs, gender of dogs, time frame for the intervention, and any other pertinent information needed to expedite the rescue operation in a timely manner. For security reasons, this information should only be shared via private email messages directly to the KSRF Board members - and NOT sent out through the Kees-L list.
   
   In the case of a large rescue from a shelter of dogs that are presumed to have come from a puppy mill, we ask that the rescue worker try to get as much info about where the dogs are coming from as possible. There should at least be some assurance from the shelter that these dogs are from a known
   puppy mill, in order for them to be treated as Priority #1 Puppy Mill Rescues.
2. KSRF will work closely and directly with the lead rescue person to coordinate what funds are needed, how quickly they are needed, and how many foster homes (and veterinarians) will be involved. Funds to cover initial buy-out charges will be forwarded immediately, and arrangements will be made to cover all initial and continuing medical expenses.
3. Any documentation (bill of sale, release forms, vet bills, adoption contracts, etc.) that comes from the puppy mill rescue shall be forwarded to KSRF for our permanent records.
4. Puppy mill rescues should be adopted out for an adoption donation of at least $150. The adoption fee should be made out to KSRF and mailed to our address above. This will allow us to partially replenish the fund for future use. Any donation above and beyond the $150 will be reimbursed to the foster person - to help cover their non-medical out-of-pocket costs.

Emergency Medical Care

1. At the time that an emergency medical case arises, the rescuer should contact the KSRF Board to advise us of the situation. At that time, we will need to know the name of the attending veterinarian, and their telephone number. This will allow us to contact them to verify charges, and to make payment arrangements.
2. KSRF will need to obtain a copy of the itemized vet bills, either from the rescuer or from the veterinary clinic, for our permanent records.
3. In these cases, the foster care worker receives the adoption donation. However, we ask that you mention KSRF to the adoptive family as being the organization that paid the emergency medical bills - and give them information on donating to our agency, if they so choose.

Elective Procedures and Spays/Neuters - Routine Medical

1. At the time that the elective procedure is considered, or in the case of spays/neuters-routine medical costs at the time the dog is acquired - the foster care person should contact KSRF via email to alert us of upcoming medical charges for which the rescuer will be requesting reimbursement.
2. For these types of situations, the rescuer should go ahead and have the treatment or procedure accomplished - and pay their veterinary clinic. Then, a copy of the itemized vet bill should be forwarded to KSRF for reimbursement. Make sure that KSRF knows to whom the check should be made out to.
3. Again, in these cases the foster care person receives the adoption donation. However, we ask that you mention KSRF to the adoptive family as being the organization that assisted with the dog's medical bills - and give them information on donating to our agency, if they so choose.

NOTE: Funding procedures and criteria are subject to change, without notice, based upon the availability of funds at the time of request.

All funding is dependent on verification that the rescue is a purebred Keeshond. Ways to verify, if in doubt, include but are not limited to: photos, vet confirmation, independent rescue volunteer verification, or other appropriate means in order to assure that all Keeshonden benefiting from the Sunshine Fund are purebred.

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Keeshond Sunshine Rescue Foundation