Starting an animal rescue is an inspiring journey where you get to save lives and make a real difference. While compassion is at the heart of it, animal lovers contemplating starting their own rescue organization must truly understand animal welfare, as well as implement careful planning and coordination to make their project truly effective.
This guide will break down the essential steps to get your rescue up and running with purpose. You’ll find tips and best practices to make the process smoother. From organizing your team to building support in your community, these steps will help your group make an impact and give animals the second chance they deserve.
What We’ll Cover
- Animal Rescue vs. Animal Shelter: Is There a Difference?
- Step 1: Understanding Animal Welfare
- Step 2: Define Your Rescue’s Mission and Vision
- Step 3: Create a Business Plan and Budget
- Step 4: File Articles of Incorporation with Your State
- Step 5: File for an EIN and Tax-exempt Status with the IRS
- Step 6: Find a Suitable Location for the Animal Rescue
- Step 7: Create a Board of Directors
- Step 8: Build Local Community Partnerships and Networks
- Step 9: Develop a Volunteer and Foster Program
- Step 10: Build a Name in the Community for Your Shelter
- Step 11: Fundraise to Support Your Rescue
- Fundraise for Free with DoJiggy
- Step 12: Set Up Proper Animal Care Protocols
- Step 13: Create an Adoption Plan
- Step 14: Evaluate the Rescue’s Progress and Impact
- Step 15: Thank Your Supporters
- Key Takeaways on Starting an Animal Rescue Organization
Animal Rescue vs. Animal Shelter: Is There a Difference?
Animal rescues and animal shelters are similar organizations that work to save animals in need and find forever families for their adoption. Often, these terms are used interchangeably, but there are some key differences.
Animal shelters are generally government-run and funded and, therefore, more regulated. They are also known as animal control or the pound and often do not have the resources to offer much medical care to their animals. Most shelters focus mainly on the stray dog and cat population and getting them off the streets. Many shelters euthanize animals after a certain period of time if they are not successfully adopted.
Animal rescues are generally nonprofits but can also be privately owned and operated. They may focus on stray dogs and cats, but they can also have a specific focus, such as certain dog breeds or more exotic animals. Animal rescues generally do not euthanize animals and focus on their rehabilitation and well-being.
Step 1: Understanding Animal Welfare
Starting an animal rescue requires a deep understanding of animal welfare and the issues surrounding it. Animal welfare is a critical aspect of animal rescue charity work, and it’s essential that your team has a solid grasp of the concepts and principles involved in running a loving animal rescue.
Importance of Animal Welfare Knowledge
Understanding animal welfare is crucial for several reasons:
Better Care: It helps you provide better care for the animals in your rescue, ensuring their health and well-being.
Informed Decisions: It enables you to make informed decisions about the health, behavior, and overall welfare of the animals under your care.
Effective Policies: It allows you to develop effective policies and procedures for animal care and handling, ensuring consistency and quality.
Professional Communication: It helps you communicate effectively with veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and other professionals, fostering collaboration and support.
Resources for Learning and Training about Animal Welfare
There are many resources available for learning about animal welfare, including:
Online Courses and Webinars: The Humane Society’s Animal Welfare Course and the ASPCA’s Animal Behavior and Welfare Course are comprehensive online courses on animal welfare and behavior.
Books: Numerous books and articles provide in-depth knowledge on animal welfare and behavior, offering valuable insights and practical advice.
Conferences and Workshops: Attending conferences and workshops on animal welfare and rescue can provide hands-on learning and networking opportunities.
Networking: Building connections with veterinarians and local organizations that work with animals can offer support, advice, and collaboration opportunities.
By investing time in learning about animal welfare, you’ll be better equipped to provide high-quality care and make informed decisions for your animal rescue.
Step 2: Define Your Rescue’s Mission and Vision
Every rescue organization must begin with a mission statement and vision for their work. These are short, motivational statements about what you plan to accomplish with your rescue. Consider the following questions when developing your organization’s mission and vision.
What animals will your rescue serve?
Identify the types of animals your rescue will focus on to ensure you can meet their basic needs:
Species – Decide if your rescue will serve dogs, cats, horses, or other animals like rabbits, birds, or farm animals.
Breeds – Some rescues focus on specific breeds, especially those at higher risk or with specific care needs.
Situations – Consider whether you’ll focus on animals in certain situations, such as those facing neglect, abuse, abandonment, or requiring special medical care.
What services will your rescue provide?
Outline the main services your animal rescue will offer to define its purpose and approach. Is there an overwhelming need for an animal rescue or overpopulation of a certain species? Be sure to research the shelters and rescues already operating in your area to ensure that your rescue is not duplicating services that other shelters can offer.
Shelter – Providing a safe, temporary home for animals until adoption. How many animals will you be able to shelter?
Fostering – Build a foster network of animal lovers to temporarily house rescued animals in a more personal, home-based setting.
Rehabilitation – Offer medical or behavioral rehabilitation for needy animals, preparing them for adoption.
Rehoming – Focus on finding permanent, loving homes for rescued animals through thorough adoption processes.
Establishing a clear mission and vision will guide your actions and help supporters understand and connect with your goals, creating a strong foundation for your rescue.
Step 3: Create a Business Plan and Budget
You’ll need to develop a business plan to start an animal rescue. A well-prepared business plan will be the backbone of your rescue organization and set you up for success. Outline your mission, target animals, services, and funding strategies. Important sections of a business plan include:
Mission and Services Overview – Clarify your mission, purpose, and services (as above)
Funding Plan – You’ll likely need to collect donations and raise money to start an animal rescue. Detail fundraising strategies and potential revenue sources. Our 100+ fundraising ideas might inspire you.
Budget and Expenses – Outline your expected costs, including the facility, animal care, administrative, and fundraising expenses.
Step 4: File Articles of Incorporation with Your State
The next step in starting an animal rescue organization is to file papers called Articles of Incorporation with your state’s corporate office or Secretary of State. The Articles of Incorporation require basic information regarding your new organization and function like a constitution governing the nonprofit corporation. The language needs to be very clear to (later) be granted tax-exempt status.
Articles of Incorporation officially document your nonprofit name, address, nonprofit function, and the names of your chosen directors.
Step 5: File for an EIN and Tax-exempt Status with the IRS
Only after you have filed the Articles of Incorporation with your state can you submit federal paperwork to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service).
First, you must apply for a federal employer identification number (EIN). This is a requirement for all businesses and tax-exempt organizations and is a unique 9-digit number that identifies your organization with the IRS.
Next, you’ll submit the 501(c)(3) tax exemption application to the IRS. Setting up your animal rescue charity with nonprofit status by obtaining a 501(c)(3) designation will aid your organization in finding community funding and supporters. The benefits of obtaining 501(c)(3) status are significant, and include:
Tax exemptions for your donors
Tax-exempt status for your rescue
Eligibility for many grants and public funding
Increased credibility and public trust among your supporters and community
Establishing a 501(c)(3) nonprofit involves several steps. See our guide on nonprofit essentials, “How to Start A Nonprofit 501(c)3 Org. [10 Step Guide].”
Step 6: Find a Suitable Location for the Animal Rescue
Whether your group plans to operate from a permanent or temporary shelter or through foster homes, location is key. Look for a place that your group can afford that will accommodate the animals’ needs. You’ll also need to comply with any state or local laws and regulations:
Zoning Requirements – Confirm that your desired location is zoned appropriately for animal care and shelter activities. Different areas have specific regulations around housing animals, and zoning compliance is necessary to avoid potential legal issues and ensure the operation can run smoothly.
Adequate Space – Choose a location with sufficient space for animals to move freely, exercise, and receive medical care. The layout should support different areas for activities, rest, and medical treatment. If possible, include outdoor spaces for dogs to play and indoor areas for cats and other smaller animals to feel comfortable and safe.
Safety and Cleanliness – Ensure the space can be easily cleaned and sanitized to prevent the spread of disease, which is especially important in high-traffic areas where animals may come and go. Evaluate ventilation, flooring materials, and access to running water to support a hygienic environment for the animals and caregivers.
Proximity to Veterinary Services – Having easy access to veterinary services is invaluable in emergencies and for routine care. If your location isn’t near a vet clinic, consider partnering with a mobile vet service or arranging scheduled visits to keep animals healthy and receive prompt treatment.
Accessibility for Volunteers and Adopters – A central, easily accessible location will encourage more people to volunteer, adopt, or foster a pet. Consider how close the site is to main roads, parking availability, and public transportation options to help boost community engagement.
Step 7: Create a Board of Directors
A board of directors is critical for nonprofit organizations, including animal rescue nonprofits. The IRS requires that nonprofit 501c3 corporations have at least three board members to guide nonprofit operations. Many organizations find value in adding additional members to their Board.
The animal rescue board is responsible for overseeing the organization’s operations, making strategic decisions, and ensuring that the organization is fulfilling its mission. Be sure to find animal lovers who are passionate about your cause.
Step 8: Build Local Community Partnerships and Networks
Networking can help expand your rescue’s resources and build community support. Your board members and volunteers can assist here – so start by strengthening and building on your existing relationships. To broaden your impact and build your rescue, explore the following partnerships:
Partner with local veterinarians for discounted or emergency care
Collaborate with nearby animal shelters for resource sharing and support
Connect with pet stores for donation drives and adoption events
Build relationships with schools and local community organizations for volunteer support and awareness
Step 9: Develop a Volunteer and Foster Program
Volunteers are essential to any animal rescue charity, playing a critical role in its success. Some roles that animal rescue volunteers often take on can include:
Feeding and watering animals
Cleaning animals and their habitat
Walking, cuddling, and playing with animals
Maintaining the facilities
Promoting and fundraising for the animal rescue
It’s important to set clear expectations for volunteers and foster families to ensure they understand their roles. Effective volunteer recruitment and retention strategies are key to building a strong volunteer program.
Step 10: Build a Name in the Community for Your Shelter
Promoting your rescue is essential to raise funds, find animal lovers, and attract volunteers. Use these avenues to build awareness about your rescue:
Build a Great Website – Most people who want to adopt a pet or volunteer with animals will search online for an animal care facility. Be sure that they find your organization and you make a great first impression with a well-designed website.
Establish Social Media Accounts – With social media, your group can gegularly post animals that are available for adoption, upcoming events, and success stories.
Community Engagement – Attend local events or host booths at farmers’ markets and community fairs to connect with animal lovers.
Collaborations – Partner with local businesses and schools for sponsorships or joint events.
Step 11: Fundraise to Support Your Rescue
Animal shelters are expensive to run. Funding is vital for animal food and care, medical treatments, and administrative operations.
There are many different methods to secure funds.
Membership and Donation Drives – Launch a membership campaign and ask supporters to make a monthly gift to support the shelter. Host online donation campaigns to reach a broader audience.
Fundraising Events – Organize events like dog walks and fun runs, adoption days, and raffles. Check out our guide on organizing a dog walk fundraiser for details.
Grants – Seek out animal rescue and welfare grants and apply regularly.
Need more fundraising ideas? Read our blog on animal rescue fundraising ideas to learn more great ways to fund your project.
Fundraise for Free with DoJiggy
Our donor-friendly fundraising platform offers everything you need to make your fundraising campaigns a huge success. Our system is designed to maximize fundraising potential by enabling you to easily set up, manage, and promote your events across multiple channels. From text-to-donate to customizable templates, DoJiggy provides the flexibility and support to tailor your campaigns.
Step 12: Set Up Proper Animal Care Protocols
Caring for animals goes beyond food and shelter. You’ll need to keep medical histories, behavioral notes, and adoption statuses for each animal. Establish protocols to ensure health, comfort, and positive behavioral development for your animals:
Veterinary Care – Partner with local vets for routine checkups, vaccinations, and treatments for your animals.
Nutrition and Housing – Provide a nutritious diet and clean, comfortable living spaces for the animals.
Behavioral Support – Offer training and socialization to prepare animals for adoption.
Step 13: Create an Adoption Plan
Adoption is the final and most fulfilling step for animal rescue organizations. Create a structured adoption process to find loving, responsible homes for your animals.
Screen Applicants – Have an application and interview process to ensure good matches and prepared families.
Adoption Agreements – Draft a contract with guidelines for pet care and return policies. Decide on required adoption fees for each type of animal.
Follow-Up – Check in with adopters to ensure a smooth transition and proper care for their new pet.
Step 14: Evaluate the Rescue’s Progress and Impact
Evaluating your progress and impact is critical to improving your animal rescue nonprofit. It helps your team understand whether your organization is achieving its goals and making a positive impact on the community.
There are several methods for measuring nonprofit management success, including:
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Track KPIs such as the number of animals rescued, adopted, and rehabilitated to measure your organization’s impact.
Surveys and Focus Groups: Conduct surveys and focus groups with stakeholders, including adopters, donors, and volunteers, to gather feedback and insights.
Financial Analysis: Analyze financial data, including revenue, expenses, and fundraising goals, to assess your organization’s financial health and sustainability. To do this, you’ll need to track all donations and expenses. See our guide on nonprofit financial statements for tips on tracking and reporting finances.
Program Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of your programs and services, including animal care and adoption programs, to identify areas for improvement and celebrate successes.
Step 15: Thank Your Supporters
Finally, thank your supporters and report your organization’s impact. Saying thanks is about showing gratitude and good manners and building relationships with your organization’s stakeholders. To put it simply, don’t overlook the importance of thanking your donors, or you may lose them.
Find creative ways to thank your donors.
Key Takeaways on Starting an Animal Rescue Organization
Starting an animal rescue is a big commitment, but there couldn’t be a more rewarding project. Once you see the smiling faces of your adopters with their new furry friend, you’ll know it was all worth it. Following these steps can set you on the path to creating a lasting and impactful animal rescue nonprofit organization.
Related Resources
