If you are concerned about the lack of good non-profit rescue shelters in your area, you might be considering opening your own shelter for unwanted animals. Starting a shelter requires significant planning and the commitment of a core group of volunteers dedicated to fulfilling the mission of your new group.
First Steps
Before you open your doors, you must first determine the goals of your organization, including the number and types of animals you will serve and whether you will accept all animals or only those you deem to be the most adoptable. You will need to decide if you will euthanize, or humanely kill, unwanted animals, or provide lifelong care for animals that are not adopted. A written mission statement detailing the primary goals of your non-profit organization can be very useful in guiding staff, board members and volunteers, and will help your organization make decisions about the operation of the rescue shelter in the future.
Non-profit organizations need a board of directors to guide and oversee the work of the group. Choose board members who have some practical experience that will be of value to your animal rescue shelter. Accountants, lawyers and veterinarians can be useful additions to your board. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends that you look for board members who have contacts in the community and who are willing to raise funds for your group.
Obtaining Non-Profit Status
In order to receive tax-exempt status, you must first register your group as a non-profit organization with your state and then apply for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. You can obtain information on starting a non-profit organization from the Society of Non-Profit Organizations or NOLO.com (see Resources).
Raising Money
Before you can begin to look for a building for your non-profit rescue shelter, you must develop a strategy to raise money to support your efforts. Your board will need to decide if you will accept money from local governments to provide animal control services or if you would prefer to support your organizations with donations alone. While money from animal control contracts can help eliminate worry about meeting monthly expenses, the money might come with certain conditions, such as limits on the length of time that an animal can remain in your care before being euthanized.
Your board members can be helpful in raising money by soliciting friends and business contacts and contributing their own funds. Public fundraisers such as dog walks, auctions, dinner dances, bake sales and golf tournaments also can help you raise money for your new shelter.
Shelter Needs
Your building should be large enough to house the animals and provide office and storage space. A large yard or lot is essential if you plan to walk the dogs in your care. Zoning is an important consideration whether you are choosing an existing building or planning to build a shelter on a lot. If the land or property is not zoned to allow the type of animals you will be sheltering, your organization can be closed by the local government.
Best Friends Animal Society recommends also considering the proximity of your building to neighbors, the availability of water and power and accessibility to the public. If you will be constructing a building, you might want to visit several other animal shelters to get ideas about the best way to build kennels and animal areas that can comfortably house animals and permit easy cleaning.
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