Looking for suggestions

[wyojrt]

I really didn't know where to go with this question, but there are a good deal of you on here that have dogs and hunt with them, etc. so I thought I'd ask...

First, a little background...I am the Treasurer for the Jack Russell Terrier Research Foundation. We have a DNA bank where owners bank blood samples of terriers. The most helpful samples are from terriers that are affected with a genetic disease or are related to a terrier that is affected. We work with the University of MO to try to find genetic markers and eventually be able to offer tests for those markers...meaning that you know if your dog is a carrier of a genetic defect prior to breeding. This year has brought us quite a lot of joy as the marker for a particularly heartbreaking disease, cerebellar ataxia, was located. We are now waiting for a cheek swab test to come out and look for it very soon.

All of this takes a great deal of money. I wrote two checks for $10,000 each to U of Mo in 2008 for the RF. We are a Non-profit corporation and get monetary donations that are tax-deductible throughout the year. We've decided to host a benefit terrier trial this year. Our location is being donated, so that will cost us nothing. However, there are quite a few expenses that go into putting on a trial. I'd imagine there are some similarities between a terrier trial and one of the tournaments you all attend/put on. We are sanctioned by the Jack Russell Terrier Club of America and there are a few guidelines that we have to follow with them as far as things offered, prizes, and ribbons. I put on a trial here in Wyoming each year and it costs me around $6000 out of my pocket to do it....and I go with some cheaper prizes or make my own. I can get away with that in the middle of nowhere, but we will be having this trial in Virginia.....which is pretty close to the epicenter of the American JRT world.

So...back to my point...we have developed a form to contact businesses and folks to sponsor this fundraising trial. Do you all have any suggestions of any companies that you've dealt with that are good about things like this? Companies that are pro-dog, pro-research, pro-non-profit? Any and all sponsors will be recognized at the trial and we have various other "thank you" contingencies depending on dollar amount. Individuals can sponsor regular classes (usually around $10-$20), Best and Reserve classes (maybe $15-$30), or Champion and Reserve classes ($20-$50 range)...but we've also get a setup for up to $500. Monies go toward ribbons (must be rosettes for 6 places plus Champ/Res. and Best/Res ribbons), and prizes, not to mention the expenses involved in bringing in judges. This all said, we are actually doing, I think, pretty well at getting bargains. For the most part, our judges are not charging us a judging fee. Several have opted to drive rather than fly and we are able to house at least a couple of judges with local people so as not to have a hotel expense for them.

Maybe some of you have your own business or something and would be interested in sponsorship? Heck...if you wanted to advertise a tournament, you could sponsor something on behalf of the tournament as well? We will be having folks from all over the country attending this event...I know for sure there are some coming from as far away as Washington and California. Anyway...even if not, any suggestions for companies to contact would be greatly appreciated. You can read more about the JRTRF at http://www.jrt-research.com/ more about the JRTCA at http://therealjackrussell.com/jrtca/realjack.php or just post here or PM me any questions you might have.

I know it's not exactly related to coyote hunting, but they are a working breed and I do know that several of you use dogs to hunt 'yotes. Thanks so much for any suggestions you might have.

[Coyotehunter]

any info on this event and how it all come together??

[Prairie Ghost]

Sounds like a great deal i will put on my thinking cap!