Whether you are a retiree looking for a pet project or an individual who loves animals, starting a non-profit animal shelter can be a great way to improve the lives of animals while also having a successful business. Yet, you need to remember that no matter your passion for animals this is still a business venture and needs to be treated as one.
Instructions
1. Search out other individuals to be involved in starting your animal shelter. These need to be people who are responsible, dedicated to the business and work well with others. Later these people may form your board, may be the volunteers or employees and will help to create the culture of the animal shelter you are starting.
2. Determine the specific needs for an animal shelter in your area and how you can best address these needs. Perhaps there is a large stray cat population or you would like to provide a no-kill option for families who can no longer keep their pets.
3. Establish contact with local vets, groomers and animal behaviorist so that you can reach out to the pet owner community as well as have resources when questions arise.
4. Write a mission statement for your organization and then set both long-term and short term goals to help achieve your mission. This is important so that there is a specific purpose for the direction your shelter takes.
5. Select members for the board of directors, often seven or fewer board members is the best board to start with. Select this members carefully, considering what each can contribute to the shelter and how they may work together to accomplish the various goals that have been established.
6. Contact the IRS to incorporate your business and receive tax-exempt status as a non-profit organization. This will allow fundraising and donations to be tax-exempt as well as allow your animal shelter to grow over time.
7. Create a budget, while also establishing your system for accounting. This is important for tax purposes as well as for decision making through out the year. Be flexible and creative when you are starting out, while keeping your goals as the focus point.
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