As Richmond’s primary animal charity prepares for one of its biggest fundraisers of the year, its CEO is hailing the wiping out of the organization’s $200,000 deficit.
For years, the Richmond Animal Protection Society (RAPS) — which has the city’s animal shelter contract — limped along financially, relying mostly on donations.
However, since the new CEO, Eyal Lichtmann, took over in January, many changes — some painful ones — have been made, resulting, in the first time for many years, the balancing of RAPS’ precarious budget.
And with RAPS’ Oktoberfest Pub Night at Richmond Curling Club coming up on Oct. 22, the good news, claims Lichtmann, is perfect timing for the charity.
“We’ve reorganized all the finances and we’ve now balanced the budget, which had a significant deficit just two years ago,” Lichtmann told the Richmond News.
“I’ve needed time to put everything in place before applying for a whole lot of grants.
“Before making those applications, though, I had to streamline the entire organization.”
When Lichtmann took over at the beginning of the year, one of the main bones of contention was the fact the new CEO wasn’t taking a salary, with RAPS’ volunteer president, Fearn Edmonds, saying that “He’s going to raise enough funds to fund himself, so we’re not concerned about money coming out of the budget. We simply don’t have that money and Eyal knows this.”
“As I’ve said before, I’m paid on results and I believe I’ve managed to stop all the leakage,” said Lichtmann.
“My full compensation will be determined at year’s end.”
Bringing in its own, in-house volunteer vet in Guy Arad, who is also on RAPS’ board of directors, in June has proved, according to Lichtmann, to be one of the main cost savers for RAPS, with vet bills understandably being the charity’s main expense.
“The (in-house vet) has been a phenomenal change; to have that level of experience at our disposal is invaluable,” said Lichtmann, adding that the only cost charged by Arad is for the animal’s medication.
“We’ve professionalized our medical program from top to bottom and we’ve reduced our veterinary expenses by 55 per cent.
“Before, we were getting charged per animal every time it went to a vet; now it’s a fixed price. The basic (animal care) is done at the clinic in the shelter, while more complex procedures are still sourced out to the best value. That’s how we’re keeping the costs down.”
More preventative medicine, including early diagnosis and treatment, claims Lichtmann, is making a significant impact in terms of cutting down on costly vet bills over the longer term. Two new RAPS vans, donated by Applewood Nissan in Richmond, are currently being out-fitted and will soon be on the road.
And 1,100 feet of donated office space in the Richmond Automall is getting renovated right now for RAPS administration, with a move-in date of around 30 to 45 days.
RAPS’ current shelter on No. 5 Road, near Rice Mill Road, is also being renovated right now, with a new facility still, seemingly, a ways off, with plans contained within a long-term City of Richmond capital project review.
* RAPS’ Oktoberfest event is on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Richmond Curling Club. Tickets are available at RAPSBC.com and cost $35. Price includes a $22 tax receipt, dinner, one drink, a candy/dessert bar and a take-home trick-or-treat bag. There are also prizes for the best Halloween costumes and silent and live auctions.
