I want to start a animal rescue shelter

Hi I was wondering if anyone could give me any useful information or resources.I live in an extremly rural area, and there is no resources for animals at all!!I want to start an animal recue right here at my house to begin with ( cat rescue to be exact) and I was wondering if anyone else here knows how to go about doing this? I have not a clue as to where to start.I have been taking in and caring for the ferals and strays in my area and attempting to find them homes for 3 years now,I also provide any medical care they need (within reason because ofcourse I get no help and vets can be expensive) well any help you ladies can give will be greatly appreciated!!

What a wonderful idea!

Check this website for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (in Utah): www.bestfriends.org

Best Friends is the largest sanctuary in the US and is extremely well-run. The executive director of our local no-kill shelter goes there to visit for several days almost every year. She loves it and always returns inspired.

Best Friends conducts workshops for folks like you who want to start their own shelters. Since it might be tough for you to get to Utah, inquire about any literature on the subject they could send to you. There's also a message board in the networking section of the website. Do a search on the site for "starting your own animal sanctuary" and it will come up. People who are starting, or want to start their own shelters share information there.

You're wonderful to want to do this - the animals in your area are very lucky!

Originally Posted by KTLynn

What a wonderful idea!

Check this website for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (in Utah): www.bestfriends.org

Best Friends is the largest sanctuary in the US and is extremely well-run. The executive director of our local no-kill shelter goes there to visit for several days almost every year. She loves it and always returns inspired.

Best Friends conducts workshops for folks like you who want to start their own shelters. Since it might be tough for you to get to Utah, inquire about any literature on the subject they could send to you. There's also a message board in the networking section of the website. Do a search on the site for "starting your own animal sanctuary" and it will come up. People who are starting, or want to start their own shelters share information there.

You're wonderful to want to do this - the animals in your area are very lucky!

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Thanks for the info!!

Originally Posted by proudmamiof4

Hi I was wondering if anyone could give me any useful information or resources.I live in an extremly rural area, and there is no resources for animals at all!!I want to start an animal recue right here at my house to begin with ( cat rescue to be exact) and I was wondering if anyone else here knows how to go about doing this? I have not a clue as to where to start.I have been taking in and caring for the ferals and strays in my area and attempting to find them homes for 3 years now,I also provide any medical care they need (within reason because ofcourse I get no help and vets can be expensive) well any help you ladies can give will be greatly appreciated!!

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I do not have any advice for you but I would be remiss if I did not tell you what a wonderful plan you have!

Search for your State's forms for incorporating as a Limited Liability Corp (an LLC), (quick, easy, and doesn't cost much), and then when issued the Tax ID#, file to become a 501(c)(3) - a charity org exempt from Federal taxes. You will have to keep accurate records and keep the organizations' finances separate from your own.

And here's the direct link to the Best Friend workshops - maybe call to see what materials they can make available! http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehom...rkshopsevents/

Do searches on County, State and Federal funds that may be available to you. Is there a county animal control? Find out who runs the place (probably a county website). Call that person, tell them you're starting a shelter, and you just wanted to get to know them, to see if you can help in any way and you don't want to work at cross-purposes with them. Our shelter usually takes adoptable animals that are going to be euthanized from the county shelter. The county also refers some trapping projects to our shelter, because that way the ferals will be sterilized and released into colonies rather than being euthanized - that kind of stuff.

Try not to get overwhelmed! Just take it one step at a time.

If nothing else - having an LLC and making it tax deductible really helps defray the expenses of just rescuing around you.

Laurie

Thanks so much laies....It does seem like sooooooooo much to do, and pretty confusing! but I know it will be so worth it if I am able to get a rescue group up and running.There is no animal shelter in the county I am in!infact there is nothing at all done for strays and ferals and the problem is really out of hand here! there is so many starys andd ferals I am convinced there is more cats outside around here than in peoples homes.I see cats and kittens hit by cars and attacked by other animals weekly here ( sometimes daily) that is why it is so important to me to get something going for this county.

Here is the link to Best Friends NC Community. http://network.bestfriends.org/northcarolina/news/

Maybe you can network with someone in your own state. They maybe able to help you get started