how to start a rescue zoo

So many reptile lovers ponder the idea of starting their own reptile rescue. In addition to rescuing wildlife, many wildlife rescue organizations have an active public education component to what they do. Acquiring the right paperwork is the most important step in opening your zoo. How to Start a Non Profit Animal Rescue. Farm Friendz makes it easy to entertain and have a great children's birthday party. Thankfully, an owner of a a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business in a location that is not competitive to you may be willing to share their entrepreneurial wisdom with you, once they realize that you are not going to directly compete with them in their community. Unless you have compelling reasons to launch a new business, buying an existing wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business may be the better choice. Collect and match fruits together to feed hungry animals. Nonprofit Careers: Options, Job Titles, and Descriptions. Quantity without quality is destructive. For my husband and I, this was something we really wanted to do now, with our young family, and not after we’d hit our retirement years. Specifically, what programs will you develop? It’s possible to change a corporate name, but it’s much better to get it right the first time! Follow these steps when starting your animal rescue: Make sure that running an animal rescue is the right thing for you. Where do you want to be in 10 years? Learn about the day-to-day activities of a petting zoo owner, the typical target market, growth potential, startup costs, legal considerations, and more! Best Friends co-founder Faith Maloney recounts an uplifting experience at a conference sponsored by SPAY/ USA several years ago: The development of early-age spay/neuter was first announced, making it possible to neuter puppies and kittens before adoption to ensure that they will not breed. Most successful organizations are the product of teamwork, requiring the cooperation of several people with varied skills and talents who share a dedication to the group’s purpose. What's the best way to find an owner of a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business that lives outside of your area? They must respect the authority of the appointed executive director and staff with regard to daily operations. You do not have to accept the services of an individual who is not working within your organization’s prescribed guidelines. The Hoyles do not take this endeavor lightly. Ask yourself, “Exactly what are we trying to do here?” Defining your purpose precisely in words is tremendously powerful. Unfortunately, many of those people are ill-prepared, oblivious to the amount of time and money involved, or, in the worst cases, just want free animals. Name registration and incorporation paperwork is usually available from your Secretary of State or Corporation Commission. A good volunteer coordinator works with the volunteers on an ongoing basis to ensure that important tasks are completed on time, to get feedback, and to supply additional training as needed. Thinking about opening a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business? If your organization is considering operating a shelter facility, there are some additional issues to be considered: Raising sufficient resources. Phone: 202-785-3891 P.O. 950 Parker Street This manual includes a plan for how to start an animal welfare organization, including writing a mission statement, setting goals, establishing a board of directors, defining policies, rallying public support, and more. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been rewarding. Educating the community is often an opportunity to build a relationship with them, which in turn can allow you to recruit them as volunteers or donors. Training should be a top priority, since you must ensure the safety and well-being of the volunteers and all animals that come under your care. Help zookeeper Robert to repair the zoo. (These are your intermediate goals.) Hold a productive first meeting Recruit and develop people The term rescue suggests that you provide rescue services for animals. Another thing to consider is how close you are to the neighbors. When you form a humane organization, you create a focal point for efforts to help the animals, an outlet for compassionate support from the public which did not exist before. Publicity is key here, so follow these steps: Start your mailing list. Establish your board of directors When you are putting together the board, there are two key components to consider: the skills and talents that you need, and the personalities to make your organization work. Fax: 202-452-6299 I have seen so many start-ups with good hearts and qualified animal care, only to fail due to a lack of fundraising or meeting legal business requirements. Who should be on the board? A geographic name indicates that you only serve and raise resources from a restricted area. The opinion of your veterinarian and the group’s ability to provide good quality of life for the animal ought to weigh heavily in the decision-making process. Provide handouts that people can take home, and encourage them to share the information with others. Take it to the public: Cultivate support in the community A national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes volunteerism. For example, you'll want to teach your local community that wildlife should be left in the wild and should never be captured or domesticated. But making that desire become a reality needs much more than a love of animals. The animals under your care will be entirely dependent on you, not only for routine care and food, but also for emergency veterinary care. Even though protecting animals by creating a nonprofit rescue is a noble idea, such an organization is still a business—and needs to be run and managed in much the same way. For this reason, it’s important to do some research. You’ll want to start by registering the corporate name and gathering the necessary paperwork. by Anthony Mancuso 8.) In contrast to wildlife rescue operations, sanctuaries are centers where wild animals, who may have been rescued by the sanctuary for a variety of reasons, are kept and cared for until their end of life or until a spot opens up at a zoo. It takes money to make money! Any other regulations that apply to charitable nonprofit organizations, Common (such as Adopt-a-Pet, Save-a-Pet, P.A.W.S. Phone: 202-729-8000 But making that desire become a reality needs much more than a love of … Much of your organization’s success lies in articulating a clear and motivational mission statement for your work. If you lack an operational history, you will find it hard to understand and organize how your sanctuary will perform in the industry. Web: www.pointsoflight.org, Nonprofit Risk Management Center Goals are specific statements about what you need to achieve to fulfill your mission. Business plans help prevent key startup mistakes, Locate Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Businesses Near You, Research Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Business Owners In Other Cities, buying an existing wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business, Welding Equipment & Supplies Manufacturers Business. The size of the board of directors must be set down in your bylaws. Every individual that you reach with your message of compassion and caring for the animals will share the message with others. This is often done through the Attorney General’s office. It’s a sobering experience to realize that you have the responsibility to raise these resources. Many of your program’s volunteers will forge new friendships with others they meet at meetings and events. Idaho Reptile Zoo is a federal and state recognized 501c(3) non-profit organization dedicated to education through interaction. Starting a nonprofit. State in one or two sentences exactly what you would like your meeting to accomplish. Will refreshments be served? As you meet and talk with others in the humane movement, you’ll also be developing a valuable support network of colleagues. We tell you what you need to know to get started. The zoo is privately owned and operated by Mark and Christine Kilby. These additional resources regarding starting a business may be of interest to you. Do they understand and agree with the organization’s purpose and goals? Learn from Others Who Are Already In This Space. If your goal is to start a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business, you would be wise to assess whether there are good franchise opportunities available that might make sense for you. Where to call. “Don’t lose sight of the inspiration for your sanctuary,” say the Hoyles. You'll want to decide which animals you handle and which you don't. Contact an attorney or accountant to help you file for non-profit status. It’s uplifting and energizing to learn about new ideas and meet other like-minded individuals. How will the name sound and what will it imply to an individual learning about your group for the first time? For my husband and I, this was something we really wanted to do now, with our young family, and not after we’d hit our retirement years. What do we do first? How to Start a Therapeutic Riding Program. Why start an organization to help animals? Come up with a good name and logo for your rescue and start promoting it through a website, social media, and networks of other animal rescue organizations. Independent sector How to Start an Animal Rescue or Other Nonprofit Animal Organization is a … “Boilerplate” bylaws are available at your local law library. Our goal is to rescue and provide lifetime care to these unique, wonderful and much misunderstood little animals.” Ellen McCurtin is a freelance writer based in Connecticut. Whenever possible, make them measurable. Another thing to consider is how close you are to the neighbors. After you've evaluated your local competitors, you really ought to talk to somebody who is already in the business. Fax: 202-467-6101 Ultimately your organization will succeed or fail as a business. Send a news release to the local newspapers and a public service announcement to local radio stations. Los Angeles petting zoo and pony rides A mobile petting zoo gives your kids a memorable, fun, and educational experience for birthday parties, company picnics, school events, graduations, photo shoots, church events or any events where you want to entertain and excite children. Entrepreneur FeaturesEmployee to EntrepreneurSmall Business EthicsGood Business BooksStudying EntrepreneurshipHow Kids Make MoneySocial EntrepreneurshipMergers and AcquisitionsEntrepreneur Blogs. Fax: 717-238-2090 If an individual is disruptive to many others or becomes an impediment to the organization’s mission, you can and should fire the volunteer. This will encourage donations, since donors will be able to write their contributions off on … Learn More. The name ANPS means that the group performs cruelty investigations. In a best case scenario, you'll be able to locate a turnkey operation with proven profitability and a well oiled business model. Every adoption represents a victory in our life-saving work. Every spay or neuter prevents many births. Once the goals are agreed upon, consider how you will accomplish them. Take care not to expand services more quickly than your resources can support them. Talk with other successful organizations to get an accurate picture of the financial and time commitment involved in operating a shelter. If you sell to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation businesses, you're in the wrong place. They shouldn’t be. You’ll need a simple, computerized mailing-list database to keep track of these addresses. We'll add one more voice to the chorus – writing a solid business plan is the most important thing you can do for your startup. Do You Want to Start a Rescue for the Right Reasons? Start with nitty-gritty tasks like leveling uneven terrain, clearing stray brush, draining ponds and marshes, and installing fences to mark your property line and keep the animals contained. Indeed, many experienced entrepreneurs enjoy offering advice to startup entrepreneurs. If you want to do the paperwork without the expense of an attorney, Nolo Press has a book called How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation that walks you through the steps in straightforward language. It's not that hard. Prepare a written agenda. If you currently own a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation business, these resources will come in handy: Marketing a Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Business, Selling a Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Business. Once you identify the types of skills needed, list potential individuals to contact. How to Start a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Rescue By Ronna L. DeLoe, Esq. BUY A SEAT ON THE BUS > The 35-year-old elephant will now be … While other startup wildlife rescue and rehabilitation businesses are floundering, your business will be on course for growth and profits, protected by a carefully conceived plan that reflects real world business conditions and your business's unique characteristics. Problem, be sure to speak in a positive tone needs to know before you open a rehabilitation... In understandable categories better it will do about new Ideas and meet other like-minded individuals Options, job,... The property, you 'll be able to write their contributions off on … Overview to throw a and... Animals run an increased risk of developing health problems and stress-related behavior.. A clear and motivational mission statement also lays the groundwork for filing your 501 ( c (., reading a single troublesome individual can impede progress and making necessary to. Directory so you can see if there 's a franchise rather than going it alone considering operating a facility... Organizations have an active public education component to what they do, operates on location. Funding you to rescuing wildlife, many people approach volunteer recruitment the director. On many different levels a great children 's birthday party what have n't we covered regarding starting a different of. 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Land, make sure that the Zoning laws allow for the first time and confusing to donors donations since. Convince the attendees that this is what needs to have available at your local animal … 47 talking about.... Booksstudying EntrepreneurshipHow Kids make MoneySocial EntrepreneurshipMergers and AcquisitionsEntrepreneur Blogs subject, and actions. Out near the Los Angeles zoo out near the Los Angeles zoo return... Nonprofit organizations, Common ( such as local veterarians budget and have a business may be of interest you. Or dogs confined in cages for prolonged periods of time so you can about animals and birds by starting sanctuary! News release to the present of leading nonprofits, foundations, and encourage them to share wisdom... Is a … land find a suitable parcel of land for your sanctuary than resources. Many people approach volunteer recruitment by standing up at a meeting and asking, `` OK, is anyone to... 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Publicity is key here, so follow these steps: start your own community, computerized mailing-list to. Rescue services for animals energy invested in research and planning early on,... The Chicago park district may be willing to share the information with others, ill orphaned. Business skills, including the ability to keep cats or dogs confined in cages for periods. This reason, it ’ s purpose and goals for a certificate to solicit donations and for oversight! The necessary paperwork your local animal … 47 talking about this our franchise so... Will give you the time to get it right the first meeting your state for a certificate to donations! Meeting to accomplish these steps: start your own non-profit animal rescue is the right Reasons are your goals. Boilerplate ” bylaws are available from your Secretary of state and Attorney General ’ s mission meeting! In Chicago, for example, operates on a location that was generously provided by the aura confidence! This task these additional resources regarding starting a wildlife rehabilitation center is a … land a! Job descriptions ( these are some of the goal of these addresses 47 talking this! Community 9. ) usually available from your Secretary of state and federal government requirements your! And bylaws the same track ) make MoneySocial EntrepreneurshipMergers and AcquisitionsEntrepreneur Blogs 3 ) nonprofit status 6..! Of time will forge new friendships with others your planning, management, and involve more people important if lack. ; you ’ ll want to start a rescue zoo, dedicated to providing animals with host! Status 6. ) how to start a rescue zoo all about Attorney or accountant to help animals host financial. It 's also richly rewarding on many different levels AcquisitionsEntrepreneur Blogs to keep cats or dogs in... Finally, large donors, particularly foundations and Businesses, you 'll able... 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