Steps to Set Up an Animal Shelter: From Location to Funding

Start animal shelter. Have you ever gazed into the pleading eyes of an abandoned animal and wished you could make a difference?

Opening an animal shelter can be a fulfilling way to turn that yearning into action. But where do you begin? This comprehensive guide walks you through the essential steps – from finding the perfect location to navigating legalities and building a supportive team.

Prepare to embark on a rewarding journey of transforming helpless animals’ lives. Unleash your inner hero, and let’s build a haven for furry (or feathered) friends in need!

Enquire at kennels and other shelters.

Getting information about setting up a shelter and taking in distressed animals is undoubtedly a first and fundamental step. Don’t be afraid to visit kennels and animal shelters already in your area.

Ask for advice, and find out about basic needs and management. If you are not already one, volunteer. By helping them, you will understand on the ground what is helpful for your future shelter, and you will be able to establish future collaborations.

If you are an animal lover and hate to see animals in distress, abandoned or abused, it might occur to you to open an animal shelter.

Make contacts with municipal kennels; they are often overcrowded and might also be interested in collaborating with you.

Find a suitable location.

You need money but also a lot of love.

An animal shelter requires a place suitable for the animals’ needs, with open spaces and appropriately sized stalls. The space should be commensurate with the number of animals you can accommodate in your shelter, the species housed and their ethological needs.

All of this must align with detailed regulations at the state and local levels and health and safety requirements for these facilities. First, you must find a plot of land and ensure it complies with local zoning regulations for animal shelters. Contact a commercial real estate agent or search online if you still need a place.

If you have found a suitable location, it is time to build the shelter structure or retrofit an existing one. However, you will need the municipality’s approval before making even at this stage. In addition, authorisation will be required from the local health services, which are responsible for assessing the suitability of the spaces and boxes for the animals housed in the shelter.

Think of the costs of setting up an animal shelter

Setting up a shelter from scratch can entail several charges, which will increase with running the facility and caring for the animals.

Shelter guests must always be adequately fed and receive veterinary care. Look for lenders or partners willing to help you meet these costs financially.

Found an association

In addition to the location and costs, you have to think about the administrative aspect of your animal shelter. You can set up one on a non-profit basis or the contrary, as a commercial activity, but in that case, you will need a licence from the local authority.

In this case, get help from an accountant if you are unfamiliar with these bureaucratic mechanisms. Investing a little more at the beginning is better, but be sure to do things correctly without mistakes that could harm you later.

Difference between shelter and kennel.

Experience already acquired in the sector is preferable (perhaps having worked in a boarding house or shelter), but knowledge of dogs and an entrepreneurial spirit are also desirable.

The primary difference between shelters and kennels lies in their purpose, operation, and funding:

Animal Shelters

• Purpose: Non-profit organizations dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming abandoned, stray, or abused animals
• Operation: Run by volunteers and non-profit associations, providing care while seeking permanent homes
• Funding: Supported through donations, grants, and sponsorships
• Scope: Focus on animal welfare, adoption programs, community outreach, and education. Euthanasia is only considered a medical necessity in cases of terminal illness or severe suffering

The undertaking is not that simple and requires attention to some local regulations and health provisions. The animal shelter is usually run by volunteers, organised in a non-profit association that survives thanks to donations and funders.

Kennels

• Purpose: Facilities providing temporary boarding services for pets during owner absences
• Operation: Privately owned or operated by public bodies, offering professional pet care services
• Funding: Private kennels generate revenue through service fees; municipal kennels may receive government subsidies
• Scope: Provide basic care, feeding, and housing during temporary stays. Some municipal kennels may also contract to house stray animals.

Key Distinctions

• Shelters focus on animal rescue, rehabilitation, and permanent placement
• Kennels primarily serve as temporary boarding facilities for owned pets
• Different business models: non-profit (shelters) versus service-based (kennels)

Useful Links

• Dog kennel boarding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities
• Home boarding for dogs licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities
• Licensing conditions and advice for dog boarding kennels
• Run your Animal Shelter.
• How to Start a Dog Rescue: Making Your Shelter

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