Hi Amanda,
We've always had a physical location, so this might be a little outside the experience you're looking for but:
2. Physical locations will always change your operating budget. If you've never had a building before be prepared to think about ongoing expenses for:
- Rent / Mortgage
- Property Tax (if not a non-profit)
- Utilities - Electricity, gas, water, sewer (or septic), garbage, internet, phone
- Cleaning supplies
- Infection control
- Staffing (if not all volunteer) - Administrative, kennels, etc.
- Fire protection and alarm system
- Laundry
- Medical care - housing animals together inevitably means higher infection risk
- Training
- Insurance and liability
3. I would say without question you should be doing a capital campaign. In nearly every case, unless you're inheriting a facility that's purpose built as a rescue, it will need some significant alteration, and even if it is a former shelter, it probably needs some rehab. Even if the land and building are donated, there's still a ton of work involved in opening and moving in to a physical location including equipment to safely hold and care for all of the animals and administrative equipment to facilitate care and adoptions.
At minimum you're looking at things like:
- State, County, and Local building and noise regulations
- Neighbor opposition
- Kennel equipment
- Sanitation equipment
- Cleaning supplies, buckets, hoses, brushes
- Ensuring proper flooring and wall material to allow for cleaning, and drainage in your cleaning areas
- Storage (always underappreciated)
- Food storage
- Cash register, lockboxes, cash storage
- Noise control
- HVAC and temperature control as well as air filtration and circulation
- Vaccination and medical supply storage
- Phones, computers, network equipment
- Cameras and security equipment
- Advertising your new location
- Signage
- So, so much more
A couple more resources that might be helpful for you when considering a building:
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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2022 01:35 PM
From: Amanda Connors
Subject: Thinking about opening a physical location to do adoptions
Hi All,
We started our rescue prior to covid, like right before covid, and we have an opportunity to get a location. I guess my question are:
1. Has anyone done this? If so did it increase adoptions?
2. How did it change your operating budget?
3. Did you do a capital campaign?
Thanks in advance
#FundraisingandDevelopment
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Amanda Connors
Fosters & Paws
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