BWM PERMIT UPDATE: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR FUTURE?!?
Donate at: Becausewematter.org
For the past four years, you have helped us continue this mission without any steady income, and for that, I am beyond grateful. Thank you to every single person who has stood beside us and made it possible for these animals to be loved, protected, and cared for.
Unfortunately, we received a devastating update. Our permit to resume tours is not going to happen. The application is effectively dead, and if we ever wanted to offer an experience again, we would have to start the entire process from scratch and create something completely new.
At this point, we now know where we stand.
Our sanctuary is now 100% donation-based and officially operates as a rescue sanctuary under Washington State law. We desperately want to keep our doors open, but we cannot do this without your help.
To operate at full capacity with a staff of 5–7, we need to raise approximately $600,000 for the year. If we continue with our current bare-minimum operations — a staff of three and me not taking any pay — we can survive on about $300,000, and that is with every single penny stretched as far as it can go.
Right now, I am asking from the bottom of my heart: please help us get through the next few months.
I want to continue loving and caring for these animals for years to come. I turn 40 in May, and all I want is a little more time to keep fighting for them. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tears that has gone into this organization has been worth it for the lives we’ve saved.
It truly only takes an army of compassionate people:
5,000 people donating $10
2,500 people donating $20
1,250 people donating $40
625 people donating $80
Even the cost of a cup of coffee can help keep food in bowls, enclosures maintained, and medical care available.
This plea is not for me. It is for them — for every rescue currently in our care and every animal that may still need saving.
Please, if you can spare even $10, help us make it through these next few months while we dive into grants, fundraising, and finding a path forward without earned income.
I am not ready to close these doors.
I am not ready to stop rescuing.
Please help us continue this mission.#animalsupport #donatetosave #animals #wolves #alligators
Supporting animal rescue sanctuaries like Because We Matter is more important than ever, especially when they face challenges like losing their tour permits. This shift means the sanctuary depends entirely on donations for food, medical care, and daily operations, making community support critical. From personal experience volunteering at similar sanctuaries, I've seen how small contributions collectively provide lifesaving support. Even a $10 donation can fund a meal or medical treatment. Fundraising campaigns that break down large goals into achievable micro-donations engage more supporters and keep momentum alive. For example, grassroots campaigns highlighting that 5,000 supporters donating $10 each can sustain the sanctuary for months is a powerful call to action. Moreover, sanctuaries operating under state laws face unique regulatory hurdles, so understanding their mission and legal frameworks helps build empathy and ongoing support. Because We Matter cares for diverse wildlife including wolves and alligators—species that require specialized environments and care—which underscores the need for sustained funding. If you’re unable to donate, spreading awareness by sharing their story and advocacy posts on social media also amplifies their reach. It takes a community of compassionate individuals to keep rescue centers running during tough times. Seeing firsthand how these donations provide safety and care for animals motivates me to remain involved and spread the message. This update from Because We Matter highlights the resilience and dedication required to continue animal rescue work without earned income. Your involvement, whether through donations, volunteering, or sharing, directly impacts the well-being of the animals and the sanctuary’s ability to thrive in the future.
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