FLR Animal Acquisition Policy

Introduction

FLR has two types of animals: animals we rescue (and subsequently place up for adoption) and our Educational Ambassadors. The FLR Animal Acquisition Policy specifies under what conditions and circumstances FLR will acquire animals of each type and what FLR funds will be used. Since we focus on both rescue and education/conservation (and believe strongly in transparency), we felt it was important to lay the ground rules for the animals in each part of our organization.

Rescued Animals

The animals we rescue form the basis for one of our primary missions - to help animals in need.
Per the FLR Intake Policy, animals that FLR rescues and places up for adoption are identified from four primary sources: shelters, rescues, strays, and owner surrenders. There are many other potential sources of animals in need including puppy mills, hoarding situations, cruelty situations, craigslist, etc. Depending on where an animal comes from, FLR may pay costs related to acquiring and caring for the animal such as transportation, veterinary procedures, and fees associated with transferring an animal from one location (or organization) to another.
Our guarantee to you is that we will NEVER purchase an animal to be placed up for adoption. We will NEVER use FLR funds to buy an animal from a breeder, puppy mill, hoarder, or off a website. FLR funds are spent on our programs – our rescue program (caring for animals in need while we search for their forever homes) and our educational programs.

Educational Ambassadors

The second type of animal (our Educational Ambassadors) is an important component of our other primary mission – education and conservation. Educational Ambassadors participate in our Educational Programs and are owned by FLR.

Although FLR has foster homes, all Educational Ambassadors will reside with members of the Board of Directors. We feel very fortunate that our board members lead our educational programs and are willing to care for the many animals that participate. Requirements for our Educational Ambassadors are:

Board members caring for ambassadors will keep accurate records on these animals.
Educational Ambassadors are not available for adoption.
Board members caring for educational animals will submit expenses for reimbursement, as long as there are funds available in our ‘Educational Animals’ special fund. No general funds will be used in the care of Educational Animals.
Board members with Educational Ambassadors that were purchased by the board members when Version 1 of this policy was in effect will not be reimbursed for the purchase price.
Should FLR ever need to close, board members caring for Educational Ambassadors will have the opportunity to adopt the animals currently in their homes. If they are unable to adopt the animals, the animals will be then made available for adoption to the public.

Our Educational Ambassadors are acquired in various ways. Some were transferred from other rescues/shelters, some were surrendered by their owners, and a few were purchased by board members from private individuals and/or pet stores – at board member expense.

No Contradiction

Our goal in writing this policy is to set the record straight regarding how we conduct business. We know that there are organizations that feel strongly that animals should not be purchased by a rescue group for any reason - that when a rescue group purchases an animal, it is in direct conflict with the mission of the rescue. Other groups believe that rescue organizations should not use animals that have been purchased in their efforts to save animals in need. We understand these beliefs, and we respect the organizations for taking those positions.

Our overarching goal at FLR is to effect change in the lives of all animal species. We want to reduce animal homelessness, reduce the number of animals in shelters, and contribute to improving the quality of care for species that are commonly found as household pets and those that perhaps are not typical pets. We also want to help save wildlife species that are in danger, including bees and butterflies.

We believe that we can best accomplish these goals by focusing on animal rescue, education, and conservation. For us, a critical component of our programs is including our Educational Ambassadors as participants to help us:

Expose the public to species with which they may not be overly familiar,
Illustrate our commitment to engendering respect for, and quality care of, all species, and
Generate community involvement in the areas of rescue and conservation.

Our guarantee to you is that we will NEVER showcase a "purchased" animal as a rescue animal. Our showcased, rescue animals will actually be animals we want to save or have saved. Our Educational Ambassadors will always be labeled as such.

We believe firmly that organizations that often have very different goals and fiduciary commitments need to work together in these areas. To that end, we want to establish good relationships and partnerships with area businesses, veterinary clinics, rescues, shelters, reputable breeders and, yes, pet stores. Working together we can make a difference.

Changes in Version 2

As of August 2019, the FLR Board of Directors voted to place all Educational Animals under FLR and to pay for their care.