[Stormyheart6160]

I've been seriously considering starting a not-for-profit horse rescue operation here but don't have a clue where to begin. There are a couple in my state but none in this area. So, one is difinitely needed. Has anyone had any experience with this or have any tips on who to contact about it?

[Jewl]

Try conatcting your local animal shelter. They may be able to point you in a direction to get started. Then contact the other animal shelters and seek help from them. Most people are willing to help as long as they can see that things are truely being done for the good of the amimals. Don't get discouraged if some people seem a bit skeptical, it is just that they want to know that things are on the up and up.
I had an animal rescue next door to me in the past that wasn't on the up and up. I am still willing to help out but just really thorough about the ligitamacy of the opperation. ( where the money really goes and that the animals come first)
I wish you the best.

[cindyf]

I started and ran a horse rescue, helped out with another rescue starting up and also started and sat on the board for a therapuetic riding program. It's not easy. The biggest thing I can say is "run it like a true business". Make sure you have all your paperwork in order before even starting. Make sure you have your adoptions rules set in stone. And most importantly make sure "YOU" stick to the rules you set forth. If you think you are going to run a rescue to help support your own horses, think again. You will not get rich doing this, because in a non profit, "YOU" don't get paid!!! And people will question whether or not the rescue funds are paying for your own horses. That's the biggest mistake I see rescue's making now a days. They can not seperate the rescue from their own lives and horses. And I personally have a hard time with that!

[Blistering Winds]

1st, a Business Plan.

Even non-profit organizations need a business plan. You do NOT have to be in "practice" to get your Non-profit status. You just need to know how you are going to go about it and prove it.

Do it like you would any other business.

Plan your committee (if you are going to have one). I would advise at least touching on this if you do plan on expanding in the future. Have an appendix info on committees.

Plan your facility. Start with what you have. How many horses it CAN hold. Not what you want it to hold. Put in provisions that if you have the ability to expand, any future plans.

Plan your finances. How are you going to support it? how are you going to get donations? Show how....canisters....tv apperances, The costs involved to do these.....

Don't forget, hay, grain, vet costs must also be included.

Any "funds" from your pocket must be logged and shown as donations. Have 2 separate accounts. one that is your home, and one that is SOLELY for the purpose of the organization. That way you can transfer funds into it.

Show how you are going to keep track of each horse. Down to how much grain, hay, etc. You don't have to put actual numbers, but show HOW you are going to prove you gave THIS hay to THIS horse. One organization here will break a square bale for each horse. That is that horse's hay, and no one elses. If the hrose is put down, dies, etc....it is "donated" to the extra hay pile, and usually that is fed to any new horses until they are logged and in their computer system. She tries to keep EVERYTHING detailed as possible. because she gets audited a LOOOT.

And NEVER EVER EVER take money from the rescue for ANY ONE of your personal horses or to "pay" yourself back without some SERIOUS documentation of a LOAN to the business. Because once you do that, and you dn't have the paperwork, the IRS can say PROFIT, and nail you to the wall, causing you to lose your non-profit position.


Again, start with a very detailed plan.

These plans will help you get donations from larger operations.

Also, have your adoption plan in there as well. How you are going to advertise your adoptees, estimated costs, how will you decide on a good adopter

Explain how you will determine who gets adopted and who doesn't....

If you are not going to adopt out, you better have some DETAILED stepping on why these are not "personal" horses.....

because much of the public is getting wary about rescues that are end rescues, no adoptions....but want public funds....

REALLY keep things detailed, separate from your personal stuff, and organized down to the blade of grass.

Try to estimate at least 6 months to 1 year of costs, where funds are going to come from, horses that you estimate will come in...plan a decent and a worst case scenario plan.