The California Wildlife Center has seen its costs increased recently. The executive director says it is a struggle to keep up with these costs.
By Vicky Godal/Special to The Malibu Times
The California Wildlife Center has greatly increased its workload since its inception in 1996. But with that comes greater costs, which means the nonprofit organization must make sure enough money is coming into the center. The CWC rescues sick, injured or orphaned animals. It then rehabilitates them, and many of them can then be returned to the wild.
“We are struggling to keep up with the needs of the community as the volume of calls about wildlife and the number of patients treated grows substantially each year,” said Beth Caskie, the center’s executive director.
According to the CWC 2004 budget, total animal care expenses are projected to cost $232,491. That is an increase of 140 percent from 2003. The projected cost this year to maintain and operate the facility, located just outside of Malibu in the Santa Monica Mountains, is $395,981.
In 1998, the CWC set up a permanent facility on state land in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu. It does not have to pay rent for the facility because of an agreement it has with California State Parks. But the CWC is responsible for maintaining the site.
“We maintain the facility,” Caskie said. “We pay for or get donated all our hospital supplies, medicines, antibiotics and feed, and almost all of the equipment in the hospital is donated. Recently our liability insurance tripled without ever having a single claim against it.”
The organization receives approximately 48 percent of its income from fundraising. Grants and foundations cover another 21 percent of the revenue. Contributions account for about 17 percent, and membership dues are approximately 13 percent of the income.
“There are no guarantees of any money for us,” Caskie said. “One slow donation week means we’re in trouble. We are a young organization. We have so much goodwill and support in the community, but our fundraising base isn’t yet developed like more established organizations to guarantee our operating costs. We have about 1,000 consistent supporters. We have minimal reserves in the bank, which is why it becomes a crisis so easily.”
The CWC has only six paid staff members, running at a cost of about $170,00. About $50,000 of that is grant-funded. The staff members do not receive health benefits. The rest of the staff including hospital, outreach, events and administrative support is made up of volunteers.
“We’re all taking below market level salaries,” Caskie said. “It’s truly a labor of love.”
Caskie said the organization is always looking for new avenues to obtain more funding.
“I am applying to every wildlife-related foundation I can find,” she said. “As every small business in California can attest, we are in a day-to-day struggle to stay ahead.”
Caskie said one of the CWC’s pressing needs is for the completion of a critical care unit. She said that would lesson the congestion, where feeding and medical operations are done. Caskie said she has also applied for a New Aviary Flight Enclosure Grant from the city of Malibu. Another CWC volunteer, Education Director Glenda Singer is working on a grant proposal to expand the education program.
The California Wildlife Center is located at 26026 Piuma Road. Information about CWC donations or volunteer opportunities can be found at www.californiawildlifecenter.org.or by calling 818.222.2658.