Approaching businesses to FP for donations for a personal cause

I haven't been on here much lately. I've been going back and forth with my dog Simon an awful lot. After nearly $1000 worth of x-rays, testing, etc. we learned he has a very large bladder stone lodged in his urethra. Right now he can still potty okay, but I have been told that can change at any time. The vet said it could changed today, next week, a month from now or several months from now. It will eventually block his ability to pee altogether, and his bladder will rupture and he wouldn't survive. He has to have surgery to remove the stone. It can't be dissolved.

We have to go to a specialist and the estimate I've been given is between $2400-$2800. I applied for carecredit, but we have maxed that out just getting to this diagnosis. My busy festival season don't get started until May. I have only one, one-day event planned until then. I'm worried time will run out between now and then. I love my Simon so much. I refuse to lose him this way. I am doing everything I can to raise this money.

My sister suggested finding a store or somewhere that would let me face paint for donations. I've thought about approaching places like Petsmart, but I'm not sure there would be many kids around. I was hoping you guys might be able to offer some suggestions of where to go and how to approach a store since this is techincally a personal cause. All ideas are greatly appreciated!

I have also started a page for Simon at www.giveforward.com/savingsimon <--I hope it's okay to post that here. I'm a desperate pet mommy.

Funny thing is, I twisted my ankle very badly 5 weeks ago today, and it's still swollen and painful. I probably fractured something. Everyone kept trying to get me to go have it X-rayed, and I said I didn't have the money. But for my Simon....I'd do anything.

I think it's a great idea!!! How about a dog park? Could you set up there? ...or in front of a pet store in a mall area where there might be more kids?

So sorry. We spent a lot of money getting our diagnosis a few months back for our Sparky. He had a fast moving cancer & didn't survive.
I still miss him:-(
I think Petsmart, Petco, a dog park are all great ideas.
Go get the x-ray! You can't take care of others if you don't take care of yourself!
If you can find a good sale on candybar boxes(like from Sams or Costco), they sell very well in front of stores. We just got a bunch of boxes with 24 bars each(we paid about $0.23 per candybar). My daughter is selling them to go on a mission trip to Costa Rica.

That's a good idea... selling candy might be easier, or you could do both.

I would bring sparky or a photo of him and an explanation of what it is for on a board or sign of some sort. Who could resist helping that sweet doggie face?

First: So sorry to hear about this! I am a pet mommy too and know what you are feeling. Last year my Beagle, Copper, was having seizures and couldn't walk and the cost of the X-rays and treatment for his herniated disk were staggering. We were able to borrow money from well off family who absolutely adored him as well and we jsut finished paying them back.

Second: Go get that ankle looked at! If something is broken, you put yourself at ridiculous risk of getting a clot in that leg from seeping bone marrow which will cause MUCH bigger problems, especially if it the clot travels to your heart, lungs, or brain. Fractures are not to be taken lightly. Even if you can't pay, doctors still have to treat you. I suggest going to an emergency room since they rarely ask for proof of health insrance or a co-pay and you can defer those payments until you have the money TO pay them.

Third, and the purpose of this thread: Candy bars, pet stores and dog parks are wonderful ideas! I know it's hard to ask people for money, but if you have any friends or family that could contribute even a little, ask them. So your pride may suffer a blow, is that so bad if you save your baby and maybe even help youself with that ankle? Friends and family are there to help you get through tough times and are happy to help a friend in need... all you have to do is ask for the help.

You could also ask the vet, those pet stores, your dog groomer, or even the local animal shelter if you could put a donation jar out on the counters with a picture and a paragraph or two about why Simon needs help.

Hope this helps, and hope everything works out alright for you and Simon! I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts!

My goodness hun you better go get that ankle looked at. What good will you be to your baby if you can't even make it out the door to raise funds because of your own health. Go to the emergency room and ask them to bill you. You can work something out with them later to make installment payments.

As far as asking around, Don't fear the rejection. You will get rejected a few times but there is still someone out there that believes in your cause as much as you do. Look at how many people responded to this post with there own stories. Petco and PetSmart would probably be all for it. They usually have weekend events and would probably love to add you on especially if you are willing to do it for donations. Right now I am face painting at Red Robins on Tuesdays for donations towards the Red Cross. A few restaurants rejected me but they were all for my cause and even donate $50 each night towards my cause. Worst case scenario you end up where you are now, best case scenario you will earn a few dollars towards your pup.

I've been trying to get back to this thread all day, but it's been a crazy Friday. I really appreciate all of the great suggestions you guys have given me!

Linda - I am terribly sorry to hear about your Sparky. I know it must be difficult. When the vet first saw the stone in Simon's urethra, she thought it was a mass in his prostate. She was worried it was cancer and sent us to see a specialist to have an ultrasound done. I cried for days just hearing the word cancer.

The area I live in is proving to make things more difficult. I live in a very small town. Basically Wal-Mart is the only store we have, with a few smaller stores. No decent restaurants or pet stores. I'm going to have to drive a minimum of 45 miles to get to a Petsmart or Petco, etc.

I needed to have a more clear picture of what stores to go to so that I would know what city to head towards and where to go when I got there. You guys have helped me map out more of a plan. My brain has been just a little too fried lately.

The candy bars are a really great idea! I don't have a membership to a warehouse like Sam's or Costco, but I'm sure I can get a friend to help me get the candy. I might see about doing a bake sale or something too. Even in this small town, bake sales usually go over well. And I'm trying to get some things together for a yard sale.

The page I made for Simon allows my friends, family and anyone donate to help us. It's raised $300 so far. I've also received $125 in checks from family & friends. But now we've sorta stalled in the fund raising department.

If this doesnt sound crazy..i would probably do all of them at once?
...maybe a garage sale? and if you can get someone else with you would be better...the more stuff people see the more people you get...if you have someone to help you with the sale you can actually do face painting for the kids that show there..even if its just a few...probably sell sodas or something too?...and obviously have a board or something stating the cause/reason of the sale/fundraiser.

I posted the giveforward link on my facebook for you. Lots of little donations can really add up. I'm hoping some of my fb friends will donate.

Abril - Not crazy at all! Sounds like a plan! My mom and I always used to have food for sale whenever we'd have a yard sale.

My mom is painting at a hockey game tonight and was going to see about setting out a donation jar. She lives in a bigger city, so she's going to see if they will let us set up somewhere to face paint for donations.

Gina - THANK YOU SO MUCH! Both your help and support is greatly appreciated! I know there's so much going on in the world today and everyone I know seems to be having such a hard time. I feel bad for asking for help, but Simon is my baby. He's just the sweetest little guy.

so so sad.
I might be off base here - but have you tried pet insurance?
You may have to pretend that you don't know anything is wrong with Simon, untill you get through two weeks and then you can just put the operation on the insurance.
Just an Idea..... good luck babe, our animals are our babies and give us unconditional love.... so we should return the favor.

Tash - unfortunately, pet insurance works like people insurance. This is considered a pre-existing condition and I'm pretty sure they would check with his vet first.

My fund raising is going well so far. Between our web site and checks I've been given, I have raised $1150. I am having a yard sale/bake sale/face painting thingie this weekend (hoping for good weather). I will also be painting for two nights next week at our local Sonic Drive-In's Spirit Nights for one of the nearby elementary schools, so there should be kids/parents/teachers there.

I still have a ways to go before I raise enough for the surgery, but I'm a lot farther along than I was this time last week. I do love my Simon so

Not sure if this is any help but the vet we use in our town has insurance to cover things for people who can't afford the money straight up. You have to pay back within the following year. my vet told me about it when my cat was having chemo for liver cancer. Unfortunately he didn't make it. It was $2500 for his treatment. Good luck for Simon.
My daughter's cat had to have that operation and now eats an expensive diet.

You're getting there! Thumbs up!
Wish you all the luck to keep that cute simon.