Latest Updates
1.17.08 Upcoming Events and News
● Valentines Pet Adopt-a-Thon, Saturday February 2, 2008
● Excessive Number of Dog & Cat Owner Give-up's: For the past 2 months, SDA has received an unprecedented number of telephone requests from people weeping and wailing and pleading for us to take their dogs and cats. It is heart-wrenching as most are people who are losing their homes and moving into rentals where pets are prohibited. SDA cannot take any more dogs or cats nor can we return so many phone calls with these overwhelmingly pitiful requests.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the M Bar M Ranch?
A: A 10-acre sanctuary for animals rescued by Sarasota in Defense of Animals (SDA) that began in 1989. The sanctuary is one of 30 in the United States that meets the standards and is sanctioned by the World Society for Protection of Animals. SDA does not trade, sell, breed, or kill any animal that comes to live at our sanctuary.
Q: What is a “rescued animal”?
A: An animal that is in jeopardy of being put to death and is given a safe haven and a new chance to live out its natural life with care and comfort.
Q: How many rescued animals live at the M Bar M Ranch?
A: It varies from 300 to 400 depending on the season of the year and other factors.
Q: What species live at the ranch?
A: Cats, dogs, rabbits, pigs, goats, ducks, swans, geese, a skunk, cows, horses, chickens, pheasants, and one disabled pigeon
Q: Do you have paid employees?
A: Yes, we have 3 part-time paid ranch workers. SDA does NOT pay any administrative staff. The Matthes’s have never been paid a salary, nor do any SDA board members.
Q: What is SDA?
A: Sarasota in Defense of Animals is a grass-roots, nonprofit corporation organized in 1989 as a forum for the protection of animals. SDA is an autonomous organization consisting of volunteers & a 5-member board of directors, by-laws, and articles of incorporation govern it.
Q: What issues does SDA address?
A: SDA focuses on placing homeless animals that most likely would be put to death if SDA did not find sanctuaries and homes for those that SDA cannot take at its sanctuary. For the past 15 years, SDA has been pro-active in resolving pet overpopulation in Sarasota County, featuring adoption and fostering programs and has an intensive feral and free-roaming cat program. SDA also rescues hundreds of exotic animals (lions, tigers, bears, etc.) who go to the Wild Animal Orphanage, a sanctuary in Texas with which SDA is affiliated; other issues are animals in entertainment; factory farming; hunting; research and testing; fur and skins for fashion; and wildlife habitat protection. .
Q: How much does it cost to operate the M Bar M Ranch and SDA?
A: $150,000 per year which goes for veterinary fees, medications, food, maintenance of animal enclosures, and the salaries of 3 part-time employees.
Q: Where does the money come from?
A: About $100,000 annually comes from contributions by private donors; the additional funds needed are paid by the Matthes family. All contributions go directly toward animal care. SDA does not receive any government funding or operating expenses from any national humane organization.
Q: Are contributions tax-deductible?
A: Yes, SDA is registered with the Internal Revenue Service as a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, ID No. 65-0124076. SDA is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida, filed on June 29, 1989 and the document number of the corporation is N33042 and has complied with the registration requirement of Chapter 496, Florida Statutes, the Solicitation of Contributions Act.
Q: How can I contribute?
A: You may mail contributions to:
SDA,
PO Box 15653, Sarasota, FL
34277-1653
