Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi! My name is Andrea. I’m trying to start a rescue for senior dogs and dogs in need of hospice care.  I’ve read some books and gotten some knowledge. But I could really use some guidance.  I’m trying to find a partner right now that wants to start the rescue with me but I’m having a hard time finding someone.  Any suggestions ???? 

Andrea, I think it is wonderful that you want to help senior and fospice dogs - I have a soft spot for them as well and live with 5 senior Chihuahuas. Without trying to dissuade you from starting your own organization, I want to suggest that you might want to consider joining an existing group and band with them to raise funds, foster & adopt out this special population.

Starting a nonprofit isn't technically hard, I purchased a book online called starting a nonprofit for dummies and just following the steps. However, it is expensive, time consuming, requires a lot of annual state and federal filings and once you're in, it's like the mafia and you can't get out. I'm speaking from experience and wish someone would have shared this with me back in 2005 when I started my own nonprofit. Depending on what state you live in you will have to find a certain number of people to sit on your board and I've found that unless they have the same passion and drive as you they aren't going to give their all and uphold their duties (which is mostly fundraising and setting the goals of the organization and making sure those get followed through on). Board members also drop off and it can be difficult to find a replacement.

Also, unless you have a good network of dedicated volunteers or partners, the bulk of the work will fall on your shoulders which can be very overwhelming (keeping up with the database, all medical records, vet appointments, adoptions, returns, banking, paying bills, fundraising, filing annual taxes and reports). If you aren't already involved in a local rescue, I would definitely suggest that you find one and volunteer first. Learn as much as you can from all aspects of the organization and then decide if you want to take it all on yourself.

Regardless of what you end up doing, I am grateful there are people like you out there with compassionate hearts who want to help. Good luck! 

Definitely network with other rescuers in your area. Sometimes there are online groups where everyone from different groups can communicate. Keep an open mind, as you might find someone who already has a rescue but would let your program fall under their umbrella, saving a lot of work. If you have time (when things go back to normal) consider volunteering some at your local shelter so you can meet other like-minded people, learn about how the system works and see what help is needed (and probably meet some of the pets your rescue could place) from the inside. 

When things go back to normal, I highly recommend Best Friends' workshop, How to Start and Run an Animal Sanctuary. Some friends and I went a few years ago and it was so, so helpful and also was a wonderful trip in and of itself!

I agree completely with the insights Kelly and Cameron have provided, and just want to add two quick observations about a rescue's Board of Directors.

In addition to external fundraising, board directors are typically expected to contribute substantially to the rescue; I personally declined a board invitation from a very good rescue solely because I am not blessed with deep pockets.

Directors also have an oversight responsibility, and individuals must take that very seriously, even if that means monitoring and confronting the rescue's founder/president when warranted. A tragic example of where this did not occur is Bully Breed Rescue, New Canaan CT.