Running a rescue is a laborious task. First, check with your local zoning laws to make sure that it is legal in your area. Next, you will have to register with your state's Dept. of Ag because they are the agency that regulates shelters and rescues. Ag will also have the guidelines and requirements for your facility. You MUST be licensed by them. If you are going to try and seek funding then it is beneficial to form a 501c3 non-profit corporation. Most grants are limited to these types of organizations. You will need an attorney to draw up articles of incorporation and an accountant to prepare the annual forms for the Secretary of State and the IRS. There are a lot of funds available BUT there are also a lot of organizations competing for them, so be prepared to foot most of the bills out of your personal account. Private donations are only tax-deductible to IRS certified 501c3 corporations. Set aside plenty of money for vet bills and have a network of vets willing to discount thier services. That is my single biggest expense. You can negotiate contracts with companies like Hills for food...before everyone complains about the qaulity of thier food, let me tell you that you simply cannot afford to buy food when they offer programs to give it to you for free. I don't qualify for their program because I don't do adoptions, but other shelters I work with do and often beggers cannot be choosers...caring for a large number of animals is time consuming and having it in your home will certainly be a life altering experience...will you need labor assistance? Do you want them at your home? Will you want potential adoptors coming to your home? You need to carefully consider all of these things...the Dept. of Ag inspector can come by at any time...I am not trying to talk anyone out of it, but it is truly a labor of love because it is the end of life as you know it...I cannot leave for a vacation or even a day without lining up a babysitter...some months it is hard to cover all of my expenses and often it is heartbreaking...the rungs of all of my stools hve been chewed...most of the woodwork has scratches or teeth marks as does most of the furniture and the wood floors have a hard time holding up to the toe nails and forget putting down any throw rugs, but although my home is no longer a show place, everytime I get a lick on my nose I know it is worth it to me...it is a trade off...sometimes I wonder why I have made so much work for myself and other times I know it is my purpose in life. Volunteering with other organizations is a great way to get a glimpse into what it take to run a rescue on a daily basis. It is hard work, but there are rewards. Only you can decide if you want to pay the price. Best of luck to you!
