The Cat Care Society of Lakewood has completely revamped their membership program for 2013 and even added a few perks. Apply for membership before Friday, February 1, and be entered into a drawing for one of three King Soopers $25 giftcards.
Memberships to the Cat Care Society (CCS) have always been available as a way for people to support the cats in their care and that part won’t change a bit. However, here are some of the things that will be different for this year:
Old Program
- Memberships lasted one year from the date purchased.
- There were five membership tiers: associate, general, patron, sustaining and lifetime.
- Memberships were automatically given with adoption.
- Few member benefits.
- Lifetime memberships available.
New Program
- All memberships will be for the calendar year. No matter when you purchase, your membership will be from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013.
- Four membership levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum.
- Membership no longer given with adoptions.
- Expanded member benefits.
- No longer offering lifetime memberships.
All of the changes will help the CCS run more efficiently while expanding the membership program. The easiest, yet most cost effective change is in the membership year. The CCS will no longer need to run multiple membership renewal drives throughout the year. Instead they can focus on the same renewal period each year thus saving time and costs. New members should note that those who joined between July 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012, those memberships will be honored until December 31, 2013, to help people adjust. Another obvious help is the reduction of membership levels and the change in names. The names are easier to remember and understand and will be easier for the CCS to administer.
Two changes that might not seem as obvious at first will actually help the shelter raise even more funds. By no longer offering memberships to adopters, they will save time and expense. Adopters will always be encouraged to become members, but they will have to pay the fee. Also no longer offering lifetime memberships provides new ways of increasing revenue. Instead of paying a larger fee to become a lifetime member, which can be a difficult sum for most people, offering a lower, renewable fee provides more money for the shelter while making the financial burden on people less.
The last and most important change is the membership benefits. Each level has expanding benefits and as well as different ways of helping the cats in the shelter.
Bronze – For only $25 a year, Bronze members receive a 10% discount at the shelter's Meow Mart. The $25 fee covers the costs of testing, shots and microchipping for one cat.
Silver – For only $120 a year, or just $10 a month, Silver members will received the 10% discount at Meow Mart, a CCS reusable tote bag and a free nail trim for each of their cats. For the shelter, $120 buys a month’s worth of cat litter. They go through 600 lbs. of litter a month.
Gold – For $300 a year, or just $25 a month, Gold members received the same benefits as Bronze and Silver and will also receive free entrance to seminars and workshops offered by the CCS. The shelter can use $300 to feed all 40 cats for one week.
Platinum – For $600 a year, or just $50 a month, Platinum members will receive a 20% discount at the Meow Mart, the tote bag and nail trim, free admission to seminars and one complimentary dental exam for each of their cats at the clinic. The shelter can buy a week’s worth of medical supplies for every Platinum membership.
For all monthly membership payments, donations must be set up through PayPal. Bronze membership does not offer the monthly payment option. Monthly payments are a great way to help the shelter while making it easier on the wallet for patrons. Be sure to sign up before Friday to win a $25 King Soopers giftcard.
The Cat Care Society was founded in 1981 to improve the quality of life for homeless, injured and abused cats in the Denver metro area. The CCS provides shelter for up to 45 adult cats and is a non-profit organization that does not receive any government funding. To sign up as new CCS membership or to learn more, visit their website.
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