Big Hearts Get Us Into Deep Water

The title is a saying I use often when talking about causes—specifically animal rescue, as that’s our focus. What I mean by this is that our compassion, while well-intentioned, can sometimes lead us into trouble. This is especially true when building and running organizations. It’s all too easy to become overextended and find ourselves behind the proverbial eight ball.

Big Hearts

As compassionate people, we care deeply about animals in dire situations. We worry about those stuck in shelters. We’re concerned about stray cats multiplying uncontrollably. But how we take action matters—especially when it comes to long-term impact.

If our goal is to trap and neuter the cat in our front yard to prevent further population growth, that’s a manageable task. Even if there are 15 cats, it’s still achievable. Helping one or two dogs languishing in shelters? Also doable. But what about 1,000 stray cats in the area? Or 100 dogs sitting in shelters? The logistics required to make an impact at that scale change everything.

We instinctively understand that larger tasks require more preparation. Building a shed is a one-person job. Constructing a house, however, requires a team, planning, and resources. And the bigger the house, the more intricate the planning must be.

The same logic applies to animal rescue. When we started Zoomies, our approach was narrow, and our goals were modest. But as our mission expanded, so did our need for structure. To ensure we could grow sustainably, we developed a strategic five-year plan, transitioned to a quarterly rolling budget for adaptability, and set a goal to build a one-quarter reserve fund for financial stability.

Most importantly, we established clear guidelines on what we will and won’t take on. Not because we don’t care or lack the desire to help, but because we want to create a lasting, meaningful impact. And to do that, we must grow sustainably.

Deep Water

If we see someone struggling in deep water, our instinct is to help. But rushing in without preparation can be dangerous. Many would-be rescuers have drowned because a panicked victim, in desperation, unintentionally pulled them under. Saving someone from deep water requires skill, technique, and the right approach.

The same principle applies to animal rescue. Planning, guidelines, and execution are the tools that allow us to save more lives without being overwhelmed. Operating within our means while adapting to challenges is key to sustaining our impact. We simply cannot save them all—no individual or organization can.

One of our mantras, “Help the ones you can, and do right by the rest,” helps us maintain perspective. The sheer number of animals—and the people who care about them—who need aid is overwhelming.

So how do we strike a balance? How do we maintain a big-picture perspective without becoming paralyzed by the enormity of the problem? How do we stay focused without becoming narrow-sighted?

We believe that planning and guidelines are essential to maintaining this balance. Thoughtful planning involves research, and research leads to better-informed decisions. By setting clear guidelines, we create sustainable impact—not just for today, but for years to come.

In the coming posts, we’ll be discussing principled approaches that help guide our work at Zoomies. Our goal is to transparently share our strategies for sustainable growth—because we believe that smart, structured action leads to great things for animals in need.