Thinking about starting a rescue...

...but I have NO idea where to begin. I was trying to make sure that there wasn't already a rescue in my area (Cedar Creek Lake) besides maybe one in Dallas. If anyone has tips/ideas, or KNOWS how to start the process, let me know. I need to come up with some type of business plan, and figure out how to raise some money (obviously). I could house a few dogs with me, but any more than that and I'll need foster homes. I have a large property (we just bought our house YAY!), and if I could get some money together I could build kennels for probably six dogs (more or less, reasonably). Like I said, this is just a brainstorming session here-I realize this would be no quick process. I just want to do something to help.


jess

 

You can find a list of rescues at PBRC.net to start off. The only other advice I can give is to make sure you have the resources to get into it and not get overwhelmed. You'll need time to train dogs, do home checks, call references. Then money for vet care, and some of those dogs need quite a bit of it, plus the normal upkeep. And space enough so that you can keep the dogs happy, but still have room to yourself. You may want to start out fostering for somebody else and see how it works for you, if you've never done it before.

Good luck. Hopefully folks who are more actively involved in rescue can give more detailed advice.

 

That is such a HUGE project with a load of headaches! and I can empathize with you, because I also wanted a rescue. My advice is to build your kennels and what-not, and find a good, low-key organization to FOSTER. This will not only fill your desire to save some pups and make a difference, but will give you a WAY better idea of what to expect with this kind of job. It will also get you connections, eventually leading you into a whole network of "rescue" people, and then you will find all the answers/resources you need to start your own rescue. Start small, baby steps before you leap! You are young like me, you have plenty of time... it is easy to become overwhelmed, and you don't want to have issues with zoning, laws of any kind, lawsuits, vet bills, blah blah otherwise your dream might crumble. So, just wet your beak, and ease your way into the scene, resources, funds, kennels, all that stuff will come to you once you prove you are serious and can do it well. Good luck!

 

good advice guys,,,I agree with fostering for someone else first,,I have a non-profit org. it has been years in the making,,,mainly what we do is deal with animals that are at someones house,,,like for instance,,,they have feral cats,,we go in spay and neuter and put them back out again,,,or,,they can't afford vet care on their dogs,,we check it out,,and take care of that,,we generally do not take in the animals,,I get 30 calls a week from people that want to give me their cats or dogs,,I just can't do it,,so foster first then decide what exactly is needed in your area.

 

God help you! I will pray for your success. other than that be prepaired for some hard, very hard work and emotional stuff.

 

Monday,,my group is going to a house that has about 50-70 cats in it,,,its a very small house,,living room, kitchen and 2 bedrooms,,no basement or up-stairs,,the house is a mess,,the women collects cats,,,animal control wants to work with us and her,,,my group will go in,,get her cleaned up,,organize a room for all the cats to live in,,,evaluate the cats for sickness,,determine if any are to sick,,spay and neuter the healthy ones,,and place them out on farms or adoption or where ever we can put them. otherwise she we be evicted from her home,,that is the next step,,her house is like walking into a bottle of amonia,,no matter how I prepare myself, it still takes my breath away,,,we will be wearing masks,,no-one will be allowed in if they have any health issues,,like breathing problems or chest colds,,,this is what is needed in my area,,taking the cats and booting her out is not going to solve the issue,,it for sure will be dirty work,,we will look like a has-mat team.

 

Gross. I can't touch cats. Not even one. I am allergic to them and I just plain don't like the dang things. I reckon they freak me out. But they always seem interested in me. I don't get it either. Dogs tend to growl or stay away from some one that doesn't like them. Cats are just evil that is it.

 

that's how it is here also!! Yea, what he said!

 

Thanks for the advice guys, there were a lot of great tips in there. I had planned on fostering first to see how it goes before I put all my time/energy/money into building kennels here. There's basically no zoning out where I live-just a POA-and I already talked to the head. He said that sounded like a great idea and that the POA is more of a beer drinking club than an actual rules committee. I figure I could have things up and running in a couple years (at least). Just need a starting point!

 

There are already a lot of shelters and rescues out there. If you foster, you don't have to worry about expenses and you're still helping out a lot. I'm in your area and my group could use someone to foster dogs or volunteer at adoption days! We have a few "pit bulls" out at the shelter. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX299.html


If you do start your own, good luck! I think its great. I've often thought about doing the same thing. If I can ever afford it, I probably will too. Starting out, you don't need to have 501c3 status, but eventually, it would probably be a good idea. Then you can apply for grants and you're tax-exempt. I'd start out rescuing dogs under another group until you can get your own organization started.

 

Well this is one of those half-baked "one of these days" ideas, but I really am serious about it. I'm going to start by fostering, then maybe in a while we can refinance and I'll have the money for start-up. We'll see.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

Crazy: I will check out the shelter. As for right now, I have two dogs and some other things coming up soon, but I would love to help out ASAP.

 

Go for it sister. If you need a hand let me know.

William