Open a Non-Profit Animal Shelter
Opening a nonprofit animal shelter requires a business plan and money. If you do not have the money to start with, check for grants and loans to complete your mission. Once all plans have been made, including what types of animals, how you are going to house them, how many animals, volunteers and a suitable property, and the money is raised, you can start the process of opening the animal shelter.
Instructions
1. Review your mission statement and schedule (checklist) to open the animal shelter. Review bank accounts for the animal shelter to be sure you have the funds required to open the shelter. Make sure the application for your 501(c)3 with the Internal Revenue Service has been approved. The 501(c)3 is a tax exempt status for nonprofit organizations.
2. Get any licenses and permits needed to run the shelter. Each state has its own requirements and legislation regarding animals. If the shelter is for exotics, make sure the exotics are legal in your state. Certain states have outlawed certain animals (such as ferrets and snakes).
3. Locate and purchase the property for the nonprofit animal shelter. If you are paying cash, you should have enough cash left over to build kennels and to set up the office and "meet and greet" areas.
4. Build the kennels and set up the office areas. Purchase office supplies, including paper, filing supplies and a computer. Purchase furniture for the office and the meet and greet room. Make sure you have enough food bowls, blankets, towels, food and supplements for the animals.
5. Start fund-raising projects as outlined in your business plan. Screen volunteers to help care for the animals. Screen foster homes-shelters can pull more animals if they have people who will volunteer to foster the animals. Make sure you have an emergency vet who is on call 24 hours a day.
Tags: sure have, animal shelter, animal shelter, business plan, have enough, kennels office, Make sure