Starting A Shelter: The Basics

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

25 May 2007 02:38 PM

If you're an animal lover (like me), you may have pondered the possibility of opening your own shelter some day. In my imagination, I've got acres of land and herds of dogs, happily romping together while they wait for their forever homes. In reality, starting a shelter is a lot of work.

The first thing to think about is all the different things a humane organization can do.

• Take in unwanted and stray animals.
• Rehome unwanted and stray animals.
• Educate the public about humane issues.
• Campaign for animal protection laws.
• Gather other animal lovers to the cause.
• Spay and neuter animals before they go to homes; strongly encourage spaying and neutering in your community.
• Assist people in finding proper care (veterinarians, trainers, dog sitters, dog walkers, etc) for their pets.
• Provide financial support for animals with special needs.
• Raise money for your own shelter's operations and other projects.

You can learn a lot just by volunteering at a local shelter -- not just about animal care but about the business aspects of the shelter. A shelter IS a business. You will need to invest time and resources into your shelter. You will need a plan, a mission statement, strong management skills, and constant fundraising efforts. Plan on devoting just as much time to the business end of things as you do to the animal care end of things.

Before you start, you should have a good idea of what your shelter's goals, policies, rules, and standards will be. Will you take in any animal, no questions asked? Will you only accept animals from a certain area? Will you only work with a certain breed? Your policies and standards may be ever-evolving, but it will make it easier for everyone if you have them in writing and accessible to all. The people who work at your shelter will be using these policies and standards on a daily basis, working towards a common goal. Your policies should include things like: services you provide, adoption guidelines, veterinary care, and a chain of command. Who can make what decisions? This is something you'll need to know long before you open your doors.

One piece of advice: don't do more than you can handle. The animals deserve quality care! The people working for you won't do their best if they're in way over their heads. Don't overestimate your abilities; it's better to start small and build up, than to start too big and collapse under your own weight.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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