Training

How to Start an Animal Rescue Organization

PLEASE NOTE: the following document is specific to starting an organization like Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline, Inc., but the basic principles can be used to start other kinds of animal welfare organizations. Consider what animal services are needed in your community. Are there already several animal rescues? Is there a need for another one? What other services could benefit pet owners and their best friends? Help with veterinary care? A pet food bank? Spay or neutering assistance? Help with building fences to keep dogs off chains? What is most doable to help keep animals out of shelters in in loving homes.

Get started:

1.  Assemble a group of people interested in exploring a new animal welfare group.

2.  Create bylaws. Here are Heart2Heart’s. Feel free to use them to write your own. https://www.heart2heartpet.org/_files/ugd/cdbb23_0b6df76f932a463eaaae7acc5f672361.pdf

3.  Apply for recognition as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) using form 1023-EZ. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1023-ez  Organizations that qualify as public charities under Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) are eligible for federal exemption from payment of corporate income tax. Once exempt from this tax, the nonprofit will usually be exempt from similar state and local taxes. If an organization has obtained 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, your donors’ charitable contributions are tax-deductible.

4.  Determine your focus, what service(s) you want to provide, how much you will allocate for each client, and  your eligibility guidelines. https://www.heart2heartpet.org/grants

5.  How will you interface with clients? If you can establish a working relationship with a local humane society this may be the best way help your clients in a timely manner. It’s a win-win for both of you as they are a known entity in your area where pet owners may come for help or surrender. Their assistance with your applications and grant approval will help to keep animals from being surrendered and will ease the burden of the shelter.

6.  Fund raising. Start raising money when you have all of the above established. Heart2Heart started with personal donations from our board members and kicked off a GoFundMe initiative. You can also hold bake sales, craft shows, fund raisers at local events, requests to local businesses for support.

7.  Once you have raised what you feel is enough money to get started, get the word out about your services. Set up a web page and/or Facebook page. Send out letters to local and area veterinarians introducing your organization and eliciting their cooperation with identifying and referring clients who need help. Contact local social service organizations. Set up a table at local events to talk to residents and tell

them about your new organization. Create handouts or flyers to post and distribute.

8.  Hold regular board meetings to evaluate your progress and tweak your policies and procedures.