How to start a rescue?
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| I am not sure where San Mateo is, but I think it's Northern Calif. and I believe there may be one. I know we have a Southern Calif. OES rescue. If not, I am sure it would be welcome...good luck |
| Yea we do have one in santa rosa which is awesome but I was just inquiring because I have always wanted to start a rescue organization and so I wanted to get a head start on reserching everything related to it... Once my husband and I have our own home with some property in a few years I was going to start working on that. We dont know where we will get a house yet or any details so I was just wondering about the basics and stuff and what it is like to have a rescue. |
| im in the process of starting my own and i guess the 2 main starting points would be to:
1. find out what your state department of agriculture requires to become a permitted animal rescue 2. find out how to become 501(c)(3)/non-profit After that your goals should be to: -raise money -decide where youre going to get the animals (local pound? rescue networks? owner give ups?) -decide where youre going to house the animals (foster homes? daycares? boarding places? shelter?) -decide where you are going to get your vet care (make a deal with a vet? only take vetted animals?) and then theres little things like websites, petfinder, finding places to host adoption events, fundraisers etc. |
| If you are not ready to start one yet, why not try fostering/volunteering at a local shelter. This is a great way to get hands on experience on the day to day activities. You also find out if you can handle the stress. I spent several weeks of my vacation time volunteering at a shelter in Japan during the Kobe earthquake back in the early part of 1995. That was hard work and emotionally draining. But I learn't some new tricks too.
If you are serious about starting up a rescue there are foundations who will give you a grant to start up and become a 501c3. You have to comply with their guidelines but they are a big help. But is is not all just about getting funds and homing dogs. There is a huge downside to it too... It takes a toll on you both physically and emotionally, and on family too. You also have to be prepared for a lot of weirdos wanting to obtain a pet from you. Can you turn them down? And then take the backlash as your good name is blasted all over the county.... (think Ellen Degenerus situation). Rescue is not 9-5 based. There are no such things as days off. One year I had someone drop a dog off tied to my front gate on CHristmas DAY because the puppy he bought for his wife was not the diamond earings she wanted. That was a waste of a 1000 pounds and a 200mile drive. Are you prepared to put to sleep and otherwise healthy young dog because you were told he had bitten and the family did not want him anymore, and don't have the guts to do the right thing themself. And this is something that gets done, but never talked about more times than you want to know. Are you prepared to do the same thing again the next day if you have to? You have to be able to set your limits and stick to them... otherwise you will burn out. Basically, its alright to "Just say No" some of the time. People will say they will help, but not all of them will come through in the end. Its not all happy clean dogs either. Some of them stink so much you need a gas mask. Some of the conditions they are in leaves a lot to be desired. Especially when you have to cut through several inches of poo because the back end is so matted up and you have to take the gas mask off just to vomit. Or you have to leave the dog in your car for two days because as soon as you go near the car the dog goes beserk. Not my story I just had to get the dog out after getting called to help two days later..... Its not all doom and gloom although it is all hard work. The satisfaction of seeing a dog you placed a year ago in its new home and having a great time or the holiday card with photo of that dog you homed 5 years ago and then finally the letter from the owners who just pts the dog you homed to them 10 years ago ending in "if you happen to get another dog in we would be really interested" lets you know that it was worth every drop of blood sweat and tears... If you think you can face all of that and not loose all your sanity then carry on a go for it.... contact your local rescue and tell them you are really committed to helping. They might not have anything you can do immediately but they might need transportation, or a home check, or a dog check....And if and when they call, remember, there are no days off and its not 9-5. |
I guess if you are a vet tech you are already familiar with some of the "ills and ailments" dogs in need have  Good luck |
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