With innumerable animals homeless and euthanized yearly, it is easy to see the need for animal rescue businesses. New rescue businesses are started all the time, but those still open after a year are much harder to find. Running a successful nonprofit rescue business, like running any successful business, will take time and effort.
Instructions
1. Research is a vital step in starting a successful nonprofit rescue business, according to Bonney Brown in "Starting a Nonprofit Organization to Help Animals." Such research, she says, includes learning the basics through books, seminars, workshops, visiting other successful organizations, and talking with knowledgeable people. Also important is keeping informed and updated on current rescue issues through relevant periodicals and publications, not to mention learning all you can about animal care.
2. Determine your rescue business's mission, goals and limits. Decide what type and breed of animal you want to rescue, according to "Start a Successful Rescue" by Cheryl Minnier. You also need to decide where to house the animals -- your home, a boarding business, or foster homes -- and how many you can accept, says Barbara Bouyet in "Starting Your Own Rescue." Recruit volunteers to help with fund-raising, rescue business details and animal care.
3. Incorporating your shelter helps fund-raising, as donations are then tax deductible, and this is required for consideration by most grant foundations. If you are unsure incorporate, you may consider hiring an attorney or reading one of many excellent books available, such as "The Complete Nonprofit Corporation Kit" by Mark Warda.
4. Developing guidelines, policies and procedures are vital for the survival of a nonprofit rescue business. Topics to consider include whether to request payment or donations when rescuing animals, the cost to new families to adopt them, whether to accept owner-relinquished pets, the screening process, and the adoption contract.
5. Once the business is established, it is time to start fund-raising. Adoption fees alone usually do not cover the cost of caring for the rescued animals, so a fund-raising plan will help raise additional money. Contact area vets to see if they will provide discounted service for your rescued animals, which will help cut your costs.
6. The time has come to start rescuing animals. Bouyet recommends contacting animal shelters and humane societies frequently until your rescue business is the first one they think of calling on. If your rescue a particular breed, she says you should realize that many humane society and shelter workers will not recognize your breed. You therefore need to educate them, and offer to check on any animal they are unsure about.
Tags: rescue business, rescue business, animal care, nonprofit rescue, nonprofit rescue business, rescue businesses