Millions of animals are killed every year due to the huge overpopulation problem, so many animal lovers are forced to open a recovery center themselves.
Steps
Step 1. Think twice
Starting a recovery center of this type is an important commitment and sometimes not even necessary. If one already exists in your area, consider contributing to it rather than opening a new one. Two shelters or recovery centers in a community could start competing and that wouldn't help save the animals. Starting a new center is also very expensive and you may not be able to afford such an expense. Consider all these aspects carefully.
Step 2. Find out how to start a center
You can talk to other people who have opened similar shelters, you can find information on the internet or attend conferences on the subject. You can also volunteer at a shelter and ask about fundraisers, how animals are looked after and what tasks are done by volunteers and staff.
Step 3. "It takes an entire community to start a recovery center
It is necessary to form a kind of committee consisting of a lawyer, who will help you in the legal process of setting up the center and to obtain the status of ONLUS, someone with experience in marketing or in the media, a veterinarian with experience in the care of the type of animal you want to adopt and the people who can offer significant funding.
Step 4. Evaluate what kind of recovery you want to make
There are many types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, but the most common are three:
- Shelter for specific or breed animals, which only gathers a certain animal or a certain breed (for example, German Shepherds or cats).
- "No-kill" shelter, which never euthanizes animals. This may sound ethically the right choice, but remember that it is very easy for things to get out of hand when running this center. There have been many cases where a no-kill center has become something very close to mass.
- Shelter as a protected area, which generally keeps animals for life. Usually these are distinctly disabled or very sick animals who will not live long or who will not be able to be adopted by others for various reasons.
- Also consider if you want to have a building to keep the animals in or if you want to set up the center to promote adoptions as much as possible (look for a home for all your animals).
Step 5. Remember the technical material
This is where a lawyer is very useful. First you need to create a mission statement and a program; the group has to sit around a table, establish what the mission is and write the plan for achieving this goal. So it is necessary to define the statute precisely (you can look at that of other organizations for ideas), with the help of the lawyer apply for the status for tax exemption and develop and decide strategies on how to set up the adoption, the volunteering, euthanasia, etc.
Step 6. If the center manages to get permission for an adoption home, you will need to buy or build a building
This is extremely expensive and difficult, but will come in handy if you can get some expert guidance. This is the time to show your skills - most people are willing to help out for an animal recovery center!
Step 7. You need the dough before cooking the pizza
What I mean is that the funds must now be raised. Ask for donations, organize a sale of used items around the neighborhood, find ideas for recovering the necessary money. Tell other people that you want to open an animal shelter and ask them to donate or raise funds. Try to broadcast your initiative at the opening of radio programs or in local newspapers (ask the member of the marketing group to give you advice and help you in this area).
Step 8. Enjoy
Starting a non-profit recovery center is a difficult, long and frustrating process, but it will be worth it for the animals.
Advice
- Consider starting educational programs for children and educating them on why animals should not be treated badly and to raise awareness.
- It may be a better solution to start a simple animal shelter rather than an adoption center. This way, you will still help the animals, but you will not have the responsibility of creating and maintaining a proper center.
Warnings
- If, at any point while reading this article, you thought that you really don't really need to open a center, you shouldn't even start running it. Never look for shortcuts when it comes to opening an animal center and the reason has been well explained in this article.
- The idea of opening a recovery center can come easily, especially if you have a sensitive heart. At least at the beginning of the activity, however, you should limit the number of animals to be taken and you should not collect those with disabilities or behavior problems until the initiative is well structured, as it is very difficult to get them adopted.
