The Purpose of the Report
Realizing the potential to improve charitable operations and services is one of the opportunities for the Happy Herd. This report aims to demonstrate the current state of affairs in the Happy Herd and indicate the possibility of organizational development. According to the background of the opportunity, today, it seems relevant and essential to increase the public’s and other institutions’ trust and support the implementation of the charity’s mission (Yang & Northcott, 2019).
Situation Analysis
This situation analysis within the Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary Project framework aims to study what is happening with the charity and the current state of affairs affecting the organization. I have thoroughly investigated the Happy Herd’s official website and documentation, as well as other sources of information concerning the Happy Herd’s characteristics and activities. Notably, the data obtained from this analysis will allow one to accurately determine the possibility of the charity and outline development paths. Next, I present the main findings about Happy Herd that will help to give a general understanding of the situation picture and decision-making.
The Purpose of the Organization
The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary’s fundamental purpose is to assist farm animals, either abused or at risk. The Happy Herd is fully responsible for the protection of animals and compliance with the principles of humanity. According to Alonso et al. (2020), the concern of the public and several organizations about the good well-being of animals is not a new phenomenon, and its importance has increased since The Protection of Animals Act 1911. Based on these aspects, the organization strives to realize the well-being of these creatures through comprehensive assistance and support, prevention of cruelty to them, and education of Canadians with respect for animals so that future generations will be more responsible for those who have been tamed.
The Main Budget, Mission, and Services
The main budget of the organization consists of donations from individuals and legal entities. The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary’s mission is to ensure a better life for different kinds of animals by providing a loving and forever home. The Happy Herd aims to reduce the number of homeless animals in Canada, increase people’s literacy in keeping domestic and farm animals, and instill humanity and responsibility towards “our smaller brothers.” This organization believes that harmony and understanding will come to the world by restoring the natural connection between people and animals. The Happy Herd renders services to maintain shelter and animal care. Animals are supplied with food, water, warmth, medical care, and human attention. In addition, the Happy Herd conducts small excursions on the territory of the sanctuary.
The Non-Profit Sector of the Organization
One should note that the Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary exists in the non-profit sector as a charitable sector or, in other words, a voluntary sector. Charitable activities and volunteerism are the foundation of civil society, and a voluntary sector is not only about providing direct services but also training, consulting, and theoretical understanding of society’s issues (Hustinx et al., 2022). In general, a voluntary sector should be considered a social engine, and it is impossible not to notice the positive impact of this sector on society in the context of ideological and moral innovations (Ott & Dicke, 2021). In this case, the Happy Herd often conducts various activities for volunteers to exchange experiences and run the sanctuary (“The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary,” n.d.). Furthermore, the Happy Herd offers people small group tours to meet their residents through donations.
Issues, Regulations, and Laws That Affect the Organization
Among the political issues affecting the charity are the taxation laws and decisions of the authorities of Canada and British Columbia. The environmental issues include the state of the local climate, air, and water quality. Accordingly, economic issues are mainly the economy and welfare of the country and territory that affect the charity. The Happy Herd is obliged to operate within the framework of the regulations and laws of Canada and British Columbia. Based on the country’s laws, the Income Tax Act is one of the charitable organization’s most essential and significant legal documents regarding registration requirements and authority to issue tax receipts (“Other legislation affecting charities,” n.d.).
However, the Canadian sanctuary should remember other important documents that were distributed in British Columbia. Local laws include the Charitable Purposes Preservation Act, which provides for spending funds for specific purposes, and the Trustee Act, which regulates trust law elements of local charities (“Other legislation affecting charities,” n.d.). Below is a brief table of regulations and laws directly affecting the Happy Herd.
The Management and Company Organizational Structure
Phil Yoo is the founder and leader of the Happy Herd Farm Animal Sanctuary. Moreover, Happy Herd’s operator, Diane Marsh, who has been directing efforts to make the shelter a safe place for animals for more than ten years, additionally helps to run the sanctuary (“Happy herd donations,” n.d.). Under Diane’s clear leadership, many volunteers work for the well-being of all types of animals and a future free from the harsh treatment of these wonderful creatures. Happy Herd’s organizational structure is based on the simplest legal structure, controlled by external regulators and special laws of Canada and British Columbia. This non-profit organization unites volunteers into teams led by non-profit managers who know and understand the type and format of work. Below is a diagram of the organizational structure of the Happy Herd.
Competitors in the Sphere of Interest
Many private and public establishments in British Columbia assist and support domestic and wild animals. They are direct and indirect competitors of the Happy Herd. Among the most well-known organizations for animals, The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, MARS Wildlife Rescue Hospital, Northern Lights Wildlife Society, and more can be distinguished. Depending on the type of institution, they treat various animals, support their well-being, and accept help from volunteers and donations from outside to ensure quality care and run a place where these animals live. The table below shows some of the main competitors of the Happy Herd in the voluntary sector (the sphere of charity) and their actions.
Table 1. What Competitors are Doing in the Sphere of Interest.
The Survey
Effective work on the project and appropriate adjustments of activity and focus require answering the following survey questions.
- Has any previous work been done on analyzing charitable operations and services in the Happy Herd Farm Animal Sanctuary?
- Has the basics of charity in the Happy Herd Farm Animal Sanctuary been thoroughly studied?
Problem/Opportunity Definition
Per the previous situation analysis, I have identified 1 area where there may be a problem and/or an opportunity regarding Happy Herd’s need.
Problem/Opportunity: Basics on the Charity, the Charity Operations and Services
The Happy Herd must fully use its existing potential and increase in those areas that can provide actual socio-economic returns. Statistics and available facts assure that British Columbia attracts many philanthropists and patrons (Statista Research Department, 2022). The Happy Herd is recommended to use the available opportunities and resources to attract more participants in the pet protection project as benefactors and volunteers (Griffler, 2019). Below are statistics on donations in various provinces in Canada.
It is essential to understand that the financial assistance of all concerned citizens is the primary source of income for Happy Herd. In this case, focusing on reviewing, changing, and improving several processes for working with funds is necessary. The Happy Herd can use the examples of competitors and introduce attractive offers based on which people can receive unique souvenirs or have the opportunity to take pictures with some animals for donations.
Moreover, in addition to finances, labor is the same resource, which is critical. It is important to attract volunteers because they help maintain animals’ welfare and the cleanliness of the place in which they live. The Happy Herd can create and implement actions that attract those willing to help the organization free of charge (Arnon et al., 2022). It is vital to encourage volunteering with the help of letters of thanks, certificates to the place of work, study, parents, or tickets to various events.
References
Arnon, L., Almog-Bar, M., & Cnaan, R. A. (2022). Volunteer engageability: A conceptual framework. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. Web.
Alonso, M. E., González-Montaña, J. R., & Lomillos, J. M. (2020). Consumers’ concerns and perceptions of farm animal welfare. Animals, 10(3), 385. Web.
Griffler, M. (2019). How to raise money for your animal sanctuary. The Open Sanctuary Project, Inc. Web.
Hustinx, L., Grubb, A., Rameder, P., & Shachar, I. Y. (2022). Inequality in volunteering: Building a new research front. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 33(1), 1-17. Web.
Happy herd donations. (n.d.). bettermoo(d). Web.
Ott, J.S., & Dicke, L. (2021). The nature of the nonprofit sector (4th ed.). Routledge.
Other legislation affecting charities. (n.d.). Sector Source. Web.
Statista Research Department. (2022). Total charitable donations in Canada in 2020, by province. Statista. Web.
The happy herd farm sanctuary. (n.d.). The Happy Herd Farm Animal Sanctuary. Web.
Yang, C., & Northcott, D. (2019). How can the public trust charities? The role of performance accountability reporting. Accounting & Finance, 59(3), 1681-1707. Web.