By Paula
Fitzsimmons
Even though an animal rescue or shelter is a nonprofit
organizations, it has much in common with running a business. If you
have ever considered starting your your animal rescue or
sanctuary, read on.
Every now and then I
toy with the idea of starting an avian sanctuary. I
relish the idea of saving birds from an uncertain fate,
and being near to them.
But the thought of cleaning dozens of cages on a daily
basis, worrying about where the money will come from,
and regularly seeing birds who are down on their luck,
stops me in my tracks.
Maybe you have what it takes. Rescues, whether
for birds or other animals, are overwhelmed and often
strapped for cash.
As wonderful as animals are, they are a commitment, and
many people are unaware of these challenges. Which is
one of the leading reasons why so many animals wind up
in shelters. Exotic animals, like birds, have
special needs. Many people don't understand what it
takes to live with a parrot. As a result, avian rescues are so
overwhelmed that many have waiting lists.
If you are willing to make a lifelong commitment, put in
long -- and I do mean long -- hours, sacrifice sleep,
and be witness to hardship, then read on. Hard work
aside, giving neglected, abused and unwanted animals
refuge, can bring great solace. It is a labor of love.
There is much more involved to starting and operating a
rescue than can possibly be addressed in this article.
My goal is to give you a sense of the work involved. I
have provided resources at the end of this article to
help with your research, should you decide to take your
dream one step further.
Understanding the nature of rescues
If you choose
the path of a rescuer, understand that you are in it for
the long haul. Please search within long and hard, and
make sure you have the support of family and friends,
before making this commitment. Starting a rescue is not
something to try on "a trial basis." The animals are
counting on you.
The best way to understand what this type of work
entails, is to become a volunteer at a nearby shelter.
Try to take on as many different tasks as possible --
from cleaning cages and answering phones, to helping
raising funds -- so you can get a well-rounded feel for
the work.
Be prepared to see heartbreak up close. One of the most
difficult aspects of this line of work is seeing these
innocent creatures suffering.
Julie Murad, founder and president of
The Gabriel
Foundation, a
parrot welfare organization in Colorado, once told me
about an Umbrella Cockatoo named Mackie, who found his
way to the rescue after being passed from home to home,
some of them abusive.
When Mackie arrived at the rescue, he was a pitiful
sight -- infected with pseudomonas bacteria, severely
malnourished, his body covered with oozing wounds the
size of silver dollars. After years of rehabilitation
and great patience, Mackie has recovered.
Abuse and neglect is a reality, and as a shelter
operator, you will inevitably be witness to it. Not all
stories are as horrific as Mackie's. Many animals end up
in shelters because they have been neglected or are "too
much to handle" for their owners. In some cases,
animals, especially birds who can live in excess of 75
years, have outlived their caretakers.
Then there is the constant worry about where the money
will come from. The costs of food, supplies, and
veterinary bills all add up. Several companies are very
generous and donate bird food to rescues, or offer them
discounts. But you cannot count on this on a regular
basis.
Although some veterinarians will provide discounts, it
is unlikely that you will be able to find one to provide
free care. After all, they also have to pay their own
bills.
Other ways to save
animals
If you are not
prepared to start a full-scale shelter of your own,
consider becoming a foster parent. Many animal shelters
offer these types of programs where you would
temporarily care for animals inside of your home until
adoption can be arranged.
If you decide to start a foster network, there are
several advantages. For one, although you will still
have staggering costs, you do not have to worry about
paying an additional rent or mortgage and utility bills.
And you have the support of a network, so you do not
have to shoulder all the burden.
If you do not have this type of network in your area,
you may consider starting one of your own. You have the benefit of being part of a group,
so the process will not seem as overwhelming.
Research, research, research
There is nothing
like opening your rescue, only to find out that your
neighbors despise birds, or cats, or dogs, or other
animals. If you plan on starting your rescue at home,
are you located in a congested area, where others --
especially those who do not appreciate animals like the
rest of us -- can hear the nonstop noise? This is just
one consideration.
You will also need to find out if your area already has
a shelter. If it does, is there a way you can complement
each other? Perhaps you can specialize, say in
handicapped animals, who have less of a chance finding a
home.
These are only a couple of things to look into before
opening your doors. I suggest that you speak with people
who are already doing this type of work. Call a rescue
that you admire and ask to set up some time to speak
with the director. The majority of rescuers I have
spoken with are happy to share their experiences. They
understand the great need for additional rescues.
Take a seminar, and read all the materials you can get
your hands on. The resources at the end of this article can help you get
started.
The business end
Running a rescue
is similar to running a business. If you expect to claim
tax-exempt status, you will need to apply to the federal
government as a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization. This
can be a tedious and long process, so it is recommended
that you find a lawyer to help you, preferably one who
is familiar with nonprofits.
You will also need a mission statement, board of
directors, policies, and a budget.
And there is more. If you want to attract donors and
volunteers, you will need to learn to gain publicity,
and be comfortable doing outreach.
Whew! This may seem like a lot of information. And it
is. So what I suggest is that you take your time before
making a commitment, do your research, and take a look
at the resources below. If you decide to start a shelter
or foster network, you are in for a bumpy ride. But you
will also be doing probably the most satisfying and
important work of your life. Good luck!
Check out Best Friends Animal Society for free online articles about starting an animal organization, as well as other ways to help animals.
