Many Wisconsin
animal shelters are community volunteer organizations.
Many Wisconsin pet shelters and humane societies begin with a small group of dedicated volunteers who identify a need in a community. Because Wisconsin is a largely rural state many of these shelters are small, housing a few dozen animals at a time. Overall rules for the establishment of shelters are found in the state's statutes. Specific regulations vary because they are contained in municipal and county zoning codes and health and safety ordinances; they are most often enforced by local fire inspectors or police departments.
Instructions
1. Start with several dozen volunteers committed to meeting a recognized need for a shelter. Enlist people with skills and solicit materials and sponsorships for furnishings. Services and materials are "in kind" contributions that can serve as matching funds for grant applications.
2. File an Articles of Incorporation form for a non-stock non-profit corporation with the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Articles require a principal office, registered agent and one or more incorporators to serve as the initial board. File a DFI form or draft your own articles.
3. Apply for Certificate of Exempt Status from the Wisconsin Department of Trade Agriculture and Consumer Protection. Apply for a Charitable Organization Registration if your shelter will handle more than 25 dogs in a one-year period.
4. File a 501(c)(3) application with the Internal Revenue Service as a civic or social organization and apply for an federal employer ID number. The 501(c)(3) certification makes contributions to the organization tax deductible, an important consideration for contributors. Employer IDs identify even volunteer groups as tax-exempt when doing business and must be used to file 990 non-profit tax forms.
5. Make building plans that conform to municipal zoning and building codes. Plans may need to be approved by a plan commission. Many small communities hire professional building inspection services; these inspectors can be very helpful, particularly if there is need for a shelter in the community.
6. Solicit contracts with city, county and area police departments to handle strays. These contracts often provide operating capital. There are many successful volunteer shelters in rural Wisconsin; find out how they manage intake and adoption and their fee structures. Use this information to form your budget and policies.
7. Train volunteers to clean and tend every animal daily and schedule 24-hour availability to exercise animals. Designate a group with "people-skills" to do intake and public relations work.
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