Our Needs List - peruse this list for items that the shelter needs to continue running.
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
URGENT NEED
The GCFA A/C unit has broken and the temperature is rising the shelter. It is currently 80 degrees and rising. We desperately need a new unit and that will cost $7000.
It takes a great number of people to make it possible to operate and maintain the shelter. There are those who devote time to volunteering services. Others donate time and money. It takes every one of them to make the shelter program possible. We want to take time to say “Thank you!” to them all. If we have forgotten anyone, we apologize for the omission, but we are sincerely grateful. So Thank You!!
OPPORTUNITIES
$AM
- interested in finding a way to give to the shelter on a monthly basis to make your yearly gift easier on the pocketbook and win some fun ferrety prizes? Join the $AM Club and be entered in a monthly drawing and help the shelter fuzzies!
DONATE MORE THAN DOLLARS
The Bridge Can Wait
All who have lost beloved pets know the Rainbow Bridge is where they wait patiently and joyfully to be reunited with their owners. The GCFA "Bridge Can Wait" Bracelet will help fund extraordinary expenses for veterinary care of our shelter and foster ferrets. The proceeds from this project will help pay for tumor removals, treatments for abuse or accidents, and other treatments which go beyond the usual vaccinations.
Our goal is to make the bridge wait a little longer…we know the bridge won't mind. Anyone who sponsors the cost of a surgery will receive our custom GCFA crystal and sterling silver bracelet in appreciation. Minimum donation is $325.00, although we certainly accept any amount over! If you would like to sponsor multiple surgeries, please email Kim for more information. We hope you will wear this beautiful bracelet personally or give them as a gift. Click on the “pay now” button below to donate a surgery (or surgeries) for The Bridge Can Wait program. When donating, please specify the Ferret(s) in Need. To choose your ferret, please click on the link to the right.
Cage Dedication
Be a Part of History - Dedicate a GCFA Sanctuary Cage! Honor a beloved pet, wish the shelter well, or commemorate a special day. Your engraved sentiments will permanently be affixed to a sanctuary cage. Tags are ½” tall, 4” wide, and can beautifully accommodate up to 25 letters. Cost per tag is $75.00. Should you wish a specific cage number, they are available on a first come first served basis for an additional fee of $25.00. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Quantities are limited. Before specifying a cage number, contact Kim for availability or your cage number request is not guaranteed.
SHOPPING
Many, even most of us, do our shopping online. There are ways to shop for what you’d be purchasing anyway, where the GCFA can earn a portion of the sale.
Dooky Dollars
myferretstore.com specializing in ferret foods, supplements, treats and accessories to handle the special needs of a ferret. We, at MyFerretStore.com, have owned ferrets for over 10 years and decided it is time to apply our skill sets in ferret care and marketing towards our passion - the domestic ferret. Part of our mission statement is to give something back to you, the ferret shelter, for all you do for those little wanderers and surrenders, who are in your care. We are doing this with Dooky Dollars. And, you ask, what the heck are Dooky Dollars? When a customer places an order, we will ask them if they would like to contribute to their favorite shelter with Dooky Dollars. This donation will then be credited to the shelter of their choice, to be used by you, the shelter director, at the time you place your order with MyFerretStore.com or on a future order.4-Pawz
We have a facebook group & siteemail 4-Pawz
Click here for more information & the kickback code. We are offering any shelter who puts our name out to people 10% of the sale that was made thanks to the shelter involved. We would set up a reference number unique to your shelter in which anytime a person orders from us and quotes that number 10% of that sale goes to the shelter. (SHTGC009)
The GCFA has partnered with Benefit Wines for an exciting opportunity. The GCFA will earn 100% of the profits from the sale of our wine. These vegan friendly wines are produced using certified organic grapes by a fair trade certified vineyard. The monies generated by this project will help fund the monthly operating expenses of the shelter. 
eScrip
- With eScrip and the power of YOU, our group earns cash rewards when you do what you do anyway – shop! It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s rewarding!
GoodShop.com
– By shopping at any of over 1,000 stores through GoodShop.com, the GCFA earns up to 30% of that sale. Just type “Greater Chicago Ferret Association” into the box under where it asks “Who Do You Support?” Near the bottom of the home page is a button that says “Help Spread the Word,” which gives plenty of other easy ways to use this service and tell others about it.Ferret.com
– Do you have one or more ferrets for which you purchase items in bulk? If you shop at ferret.com from our website, we earn 6% of the cost of your purchase! Click on the “links” page at our website, then click on the “ferret.com” button and start shopping. Ferret.com offers a flat shipping fee of only $6.99 – which is particularly helpful if purchasing bulky bags of food and/or litter. They also offer a 120% price guarantee. Of course, you don’t have to buy just your litter or food from there – they also carry all of the other usual ferret supplies such as cages, toys, bedding, etc.SEARCHING
