1. Establish a mission statement.
2. Choose a legal structure such as a 501(c)(3), public charity, private foundation or other nonprofit organization structure with your attorney and accountant.
3. Research existing animal rescues in the area to understand how they operate, the challenges they face, and areas of opportunity.
4. Obtain insurance to cover liability related to the animals in your care and the volunteers working with them.
5. Develop a budget that outlines anticipated income sources and expenses.
6. Secure sufficient funding or capitalization through donations, grants, or loans as appropriate for your plan.
7. Establish relationships with veterinarians, shelters, humane societies, and other organizations serving animals in the area to secure discounted services or resources.
8. Develop policies and procedures related to animal intake, foster care, adoption processes, volunteers, fundraising and more.
9. Create an animal rescue website that is attractive, easy to navigate, and contains clear call-to-action buttons.
10. Design marketing material to promote your animal rescue business, including brochures and business cards.
11. Utilize social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) to reach a broader audience and encourage donations or volunteers.
12. Create a plan for the day-to-day management of your animal rescue business and determine if you need to hire additional staff or volunteers.
13. Develop an animal adoption agreement that outlines expectations for both the adopter and animal rescue organization, such as spay/neuter requirements, pet return policy, vaccination schedules, and other relevant topics.
14. Consider obtaining a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the IRS to make donations to your organization tax deductible for donors.