SunDancerFilly asked:
I want to start an Equine and Canine rescue in my state, but donot have all the funds to purchase the land or the buildings. Can I start doing fundraisers and accepting donations to get this started before we are actually open? Also, any suggestions on getting started from scratch would be most helpful!
I want to start an Equine and Canine rescue in my state, but donot have all the funds to purchase the land or the buildings. Can I start doing fundraisers and accepting donations to get this started before we are actually open? Also, any suggestions on getting started from scratch would be most helpful!
Tags: Buildings, Canine Rescue, Equine Rescue
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Before you do anything, i would take the time and volunteer for a bunch of different canine and equine rescues to see the time and effort involved. It is usually a hard working, low (and i mean almost nothing) paying commitment. If you don’t have the money to start if off now, donations alone won’t help.
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Assuming you are in the US, in order to get donations and not be subject to taxation you need to apply for and be approved as a 501(c)3 corporation. It’s a bit of paperwork and rigamarole.
Think long and hard before getting into this. It’s not a way to make a living; it is a labor of love and a lot of sacrifice. You’ll get your heart broken over and over as you receive animals people have abused and neglected to the point where they are already too far gone by the time you get them, and you won’t be able to save them. People will essentially use you as a free euthanasia service.
Now I’ve just given you the worst scenarios. Yes sometimes you’ll luck out and get horses or dogs “donated” that are fit to be placed into new homes. But don’t think this will be easy!
To start from scratch you either need to have a wad of money to start with, or you need a benevolent benefactor to bankroll your operation. You’ll be getting starved animals that need a lot of vet care and feed, above and beyond the maintenance level. It will take a while for folks to be certain you are for real and to render assistance.
You have your work cut out for you and yes we need all the dedicated people we can get, cause the numbers of neglected animals are definitely rising. GOOD LUCK.
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In addition to the previous poster’s excellent advice…
You will definitely have to get a license to operate from your state/local government departments.
Register your new company as a charity or all the contributions you receive will be liable to tax.
Find yourself a property that has enough room to home all those “wrecks” and retired horses you will end up with.
Advertise for volunteers who are willing to work unpaid, or for minimum wage – thoroughly vet anyone who applies and followup references.
Find yourself a really good accountant who is experienced in doing charity and rescue accounts.
Above all, find yourself a benefactor or two who has more money than sense who is willing to pour money into your enterprise.
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You do not need to incorporate to be registered with the IRS as a non-profit. (I’m working through this process right now with some other Y/A horse folks)
It is a tedious process. The “rescue” we have founded is really a fundraising effort to support REPUTABLE rescues. I’d suggest you contact an organization like the United States Equine Rescue League and ask them about ethical standards and practices for rescues. The last thing the horse world needs is another horse trader abusing the charitable nature of folks with a sympathetic “rescue” marketing ploy.
This is going to sound harsh, but it isn’t a personal slam. I don’t know of a single reputable rescue whose donations purchased the land/structures. I’m assuming you’ll be living there…so why should rescue dollars pay for your housing when they could be going to save horses? It isn’t feasible (or ethical) to make ones living off donations that were given to rescue animals. That would be deplorable.
Our dream is to buy the 50 acres next to us, lay it out in pasture and hay, and eventually offer retirement facilities specifically for aged horses to finish their days. It is YEARS down the road because the finances simply aren’t in place yet.
An underfunded rescue is a precarious situation for animals who have already seen the rough end of life.
All that sounds terribly negative, doesn’t it? Again, not a personal slam or meant to question your personal morality or ethics…but your question is worded in a way that leads me to believe that you need to do more research and grunt work. You are a long way from fundraisers and donations.
The more of a rescuer’s personal sweat and finances that go into their venture, the more likely I am to donate.
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thats awesome!
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If you have never done any kind of rescue work before you need to get experience in all phases of rescue. There are so many things to consider. First of all get some experience with an established organization and learn what you need to know regarding care of the animals and fund raising. Caring for and trying rehome these animals can be a challenging and rewarding experience, it can also be emotionally wrenching and heartbreaking. Are you sure you are cut out for it? Get the practical experience you will need to put on resume before people would be willing to chance giving you money.