April 5, 2013
I have been volunteering for this organization for 9 years, and it has changed my life. Watching cats who are terrified, hurting and sick, learn to enjoy life again and to trust people again is amazing. We have taken in so many cats with serious medical issues and geriatric cats, and shower them with the best medical care, excellent nutrition, enrichment and toys, and TONS of love. I am truly honored to work with this amazing group of people, who are dedicated to giving these cats the best possible lives that they can.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2013
MY ROLE:
Volunteer
October 2, 2012
I have been involved with this organization for 8 years, and am still constantly amazed at the dedication of everyone who cares for these magnificent animals. Every penny that is donated goes directly to the care these animals deserve, including excellent veterinary care, quality diets and supplements, tons of enrichment, pools to play in, and so much more. These cats are loved like family, and it shows when you see the care and attention lavished on them by the staff and volunteers. The facility is highly rated by the USDA, American Sanctuary Association, and the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
More feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
MY ROLE:
Volunteer
January 3, 2012
I am very proud of the work I have been able to do with In-Sync Exotics. In the past year, we have become accredited by the American Sanctuary Association, and verified by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. We provide a safe, loving home to 59 exotic cats, the majority of whom were rescued from horrific conditions (some were voluntarily surrendered by their previous owners). Many of our cats are the ones that no other rescue wanted – very elderly, sick cats, who no one thought was worth the effort to care for. We have taken in many cats who only had a very short time left, and who needed extensive medical care. We ensure that for whatever time they have left, they are loved, well fed, comfortably housed and receive the best veterinary care available. We have taken in cats who literally could not walk, could not stand, who no one expected to live. These cats are now lively, happy, playing, running, and enjoying their lives. Last year, we took in 6 tigers, two of whom were extremely elderly. They had never been outside of their tiny little concrete cages, and had numerous and serious health problems. Watching them become physically comfortable again, and then watching them walk out into their playgrounds, lie down in the grass, look up at the sun, and sigh, made everything that we do worth it.
We have an excellent animal husbandry program, that has been recognized as exemplary, in which we use positive reinforcement training techniques (clicker training) to help our cats learn to cooperate with basic medical procedures, such as injections, subcutaneous fluid administration, blood draws, etc., without fear or anesthesia.
We have been involved in the care and rehoming of several large groups of cats. The most recent example occurred this summer, when a private owner passed away, leaving behind 20 exotic cats. Our dedicated volunteers and staff spent almost a month caring for these animals in their existing home, which was extremely difficult to say the least (due to the state of the facility), EVERY day – driving back and forth between our facility and the animals’ home, cleaning, feeding and repairing as much as possible of the facility to make it as safe as possible. This was all being done while our director worked tirelessly to try to find homes for these cats (we could not take in all 20 of them). We eventually transported 12 of them to sanctuaries in Indiana and New Jersey, and brought 8 of them home to our sanctuary.
I have been volunteering there for almost 8 years, and have never met a more dedicated, devoted and hard-working group of people. We may not be a huge facility, but we are extremely proud of the work we do, and anyone who sees our cats will understand why. They are happy, healthy, receive tons of enrichment, and tons of love.
We have an excellent animal husbandry program, that has been recognized as exemplary, in which we use positive reinforcement training techniques (clicker training) to help our cats learn to cooperate with basic medical procedures, such as injections, subcutaneous fluid administration, blood draws, etc., without fear or anesthesia.
We have been involved in the care and rehoming of several large groups of cats. The most recent example occurred this summer, when a private owner passed away, leaving behind 20 exotic cats. Our dedicated volunteers and staff spent almost a month caring for these animals in their existing home, which was extremely difficult to say the least (due to the state of the facility), EVERY day – driving back and forth between our facility and the animals’ home, cleaning, feeding and repairing as much as possible of the facility to make it as safe as possible. This was all being done while our director worked tirelessly to try to find homes for these cats (we could not take in all 20 of them). We eventually transported 12 of them to sanctuaries in Indiana and New Jersey, and brought 8 of them home to our sanctuary.
I have been volunteering there for almost 8 years, and have never met a more dedicated, devoted and hard-working group of people. We may not be a huge facility, but we are extremely proud of the work we do, and anyone who sees our cats will understand why. They are happy, healthy, receive tons of enrichment, and tons of love.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the dramatic changes to the cats, after they come to live with us!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would love to see enough funding available for additional paid staff members
More feedback
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you learn about this organization?
Visited 8 years ago, have been volunteering since
MY ROLE:
Board Member & Volunteer Coordinator and Enrichment Coordinator.
July 21, 2011
I only found out about this sanctuary approximately a year ago, when my sister Laurie started volunteering there. I have since become a donor (although I wish I could give more) and an adoptive parent of one of their wolves, Cheyenne. My sister keeps me up to date on what is happening at the sanctuary, and I am very proud to help them out. They run a great place for these animals that no one else wants, and in all my dealings with them, the people are dedicated, friendly, and very grateful for any support.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing about the sanctuary from my sister, who volunteers there regularly.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Provide more financial support.
More feedback
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
What specific problem, purpose, priority, or project prompted your gift?
My initial donation was in memory of one of our own animals from our sanctuary who passed away (a cougar). However, my beloved horse, Cheyenne, who was my best friend for 25 years, passed away last January, and my family donated to Loki Clan in her name, and adopted the wolf, also named Cheyenne, for me.
Why did you make your donation at this time?
I have personal knowledge of their sanctuary, through my sister, and know that the funds are used for the good of the animals.
What would you tell others about this organization?
Help them financially in any way you can!
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
MY ROLE:
Donor & Donated funds.
July 19, 2011
I have been a supporter for many years, and finally was able to spend a week volunteering this summer. The experience far exceeded my expectations. Every staff member we met, without exception, was incredibly dedicated to making sure that the animals in their care received the best care possible, including daily walks, outings, socialization, training, diet, medical care, etc. Even caretakers who worked in other areas would know the names and history of dogs that I was walking, as I passed them by. I witnessed the elation of caretakers when one of their dogs left to go to their forever home, and the deep sadness when one dog lost her battle with cancer while I was there. They put the needs of these dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and others ahead of their own, and have created a true sanctuary, in every sense of the word. The staff members were also incredibly welcoming and patient with the volunteers, including those of us who hadn't been there before and had tons of questions.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
person
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make sure that everyone knows what an amazing place it is!
More feedback
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
What one change could this group make that would improve your volunteer experience?
Let us work longer, the day ended by 3:30pm or 4pm, and I wasn't ready to leave!
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
Being there for a week, and seeing how loved these animals are, refreshed my somewhat weary soul. I also work in animal rescue (exotic cats), and sometimes it all gets to be too much, and you jsut need something to bring your spirit back. This place did.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
MY ROLE:
Volunteer & Socialized dogs, cleaned kennels, walked dogs, had sleepovers and outings with dogs.
July 11, 2011
I starated volunteering at In-Sync about 7 years ago, after visiting and falling in love with the place. I have now served on the board of directors for almost 5 years, as the Volunteer Coordinator, and also serve as the Enrichment Coordinator. Being a part of this organization has truly changed my life, in so many ways. Watching cats who came to the sanctuary terrified, sick and injured, slowly blossoming into healthy, happy, active cats is an incredible experience. Being a part of their lives, and working with this amazing group of people, has given meaning to my own life. We are run almost entirely on volunteer labor (we have about 80 volunteers, and only 2 paid staff members), and our volunteers give so much of themselves to these cats. All the cats are loved so much, and have great enclosures, excellent diet and medical care, enrichment and affection.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
person
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would love to see In-Sync with the financial resources to expand, so that we could offer a loving home to more cats who are in desperate need.
More feedback
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
I visited about 8 years ago, and was so impressed by the quality of the enclosures, and the happy, healthy cats.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
To secure funding to build an on-site vet clinic.
What is its top priority in the long run?
Long-term financial stability, and potential for growth.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
MY ROLE:
Board Member & I am the Volunteer Coordinator, and the Enrichment Coordinator.