I have been thinking about it for several years. Unfortunatly, I do not have the funds to start my own shelter OR the know how. I was really haoping for feedback from those who have started their own shelters or those who may have ideas for me.
My basic plan is to start a shelter for special needs animals. I live in the Tampa/Saint petersburg florida area and although there are many shelters, there are none for animals with special needs. The number of animals put down at the local animals services is mind blowing. In one year, over 40,000 animals are put down at the 2 animal services ALONE. This figure does not include the other local shelters...
I have a special place in my heart for those animals that have special needs. Their determination though their hardships is such an inspiration to me. I thought I would start off with mostly cats and small dogs since large dogs require much more, care wise. I thought I could work up to that. I was also thinking about naming it "Neville's house of hope" after my cat who started it all. Neville has osteogenesis imperfecta. Also known as brittle bone disease. He fights for every day he has. If I hadn't have taken him, he would have been put down LONG ago.
I have worked for a shelter but I do not know the business side of it. I do know how to care for special needs animals. (I have quite a few...)
Getting side tracked... My point being.. anyone with ANY advice, PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS IDEA OFF THE GROUND! I don't have much, if any money, to start this on my own... My money is invested in all of my own special needs babies...
THANKS for taking the time to read my post!!!!!
My basic plan is to start a shelter for special needs animals. I live in the Tampa/Saint petersburg florida area and although there are many shelters, there are none for animals with special needs. The number of animals put down at the local animals services is mind blowing. In one year, over 40,000 animals are put down at the 2 animal services ALONE. This figure does not include the other local shelters...
I have a special place in my heart for those animals that have special needs. Their determination though their hardships is such an inspiration to me. I thought I would start off with mostly cats and small dogs since large dogs require much more, care wise. I thought I could work up to that. I was also thinking about naming it "Neville's house of hope" after my cat who started it all. Neville has osteogenesis imperfecta. Also known as brittle bone disease. He fights for every day he has. If I hadn't have taken him, he would have been put down LONG ago.
I have worked for a shelter but I do not know the business side of it. I do know how to care for special needs animals. (I have quite a few...)
Getting side tracked... My point being.. anyone with ANY advice, PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS IDEA OFF THE GROUND! I don't have much, if any money, to start this on my own... My money is invested in all of my own special needs babies...
THANKS for taking the time to read my post!!!!!