How do you start a no-kill animal shelter?

Answer 1

Experienced managers and owners will tell you it takes more than a love of animals to run a successful shelter. That is not only success seen in dollars and cents but in accomplishing what you open a shelter for in the first place, to provide quality care for the animals. To start an animal shelter, you and your qualified staff need dedication, management abilities, accounting skills, community contacts, and marketing experience is always a plus, as with any business enterprise. Here are some tips from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Consider if an outreach program might be of more assistance. You could start a Friends of the Shelter group for an existing shelter. Operating humane programs in animal foster care, low-cost spay/neuter, fundraising, education, or in lobbying for legislation may be more helpful. The best way to get experience is to volunteer at a local shelter or rescue groups. Raising funds is a constant priority with non-profit humane organizations. Hard work and good intentions are not all that is needed to meet your shelter's needs. Developing fundraising strategies from the start will help get your business off the ground and up and running. Animal welfare organizations use creative ways to raise money and receive major donations hosting special events. From holding dog beauty contests to corporate sponsorships, make sure to tap any possible sources of revenue. Starting a shelter is a wonderful way to give back to our animal friends who have always been there for us. Remember, if the process of opening your own shelter seems too overwhelming, you can volunteer at your local shelter. You start by getting a contract that says that you can take care of animals and you do that by going to court and proving you are responsible

Answer 2

I guess you could start off by doing simple things: Washing dogs, help elderly people clean up after their pets, volenteer at local animal shelters to experience what its like ect. I guess you have to be friendly with animals and clean up after them well. Study is something else you need to do. See if you can get some pets (If you don't already have some/one) start off with something like a fish, a bird, a hamster, clean up well, feed them, give them water and lots of attention.Good luck, I wish you the best!

Answer 3

For starters, check the laws in your area regarding such a structure: zoning requirements, notification requirements, the formation of a charity or not-for-profit organization, etc.

Then, find people willing to donate (or provide for what you can afford to pay them) time, building materials, advertising, etc. Even a small shelter is a large project; so recruit as many people and businesses as you can.

Keep in mind that no matter where you plan to locate the shelter, you'll probably run afoul of the dreaded NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard): few people are willing to have such a structure located nearby, for fear of increased crime and lowered property values, among other reasons.

If the above hasn't discouraged you, I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

You need to have sufficient capital and working capital.