Animal shelters are a very important part of animal rights advocacy and animal rescue initiatives. While some animal shelters are non-profit, most are commercial entities with a budget, management, marketing goals and so on. Opening an animal shelter can be a major endeavour, and there are ways to go about it.
The first things to consider are financing and licensing. Identify the speciality of the animal shelter you intend to open. This is to ensure that you are not competing with other animal shelters. Running an animal shelter is a business and should be treated as one for sustainability.
Also, as part of financing and licensing, you have to apply for an animal shelter license. This can be done at the local government level. Having a license makes it easier to access government and donor organisations’ grants. Have a budget for the costs and incomes of your shelter. Keeping the books gives the business a focus.
Next is to determine the location of your animal shelter. You have to choose the type of accommodations that you want to give the animals under your care. The size and type of accommodation you choose depend on your available space or spaces, skills, finances, and the local laws about animals and animal shelters in your area.
It is also important for you to look for accommodation that you can afford. Consult animal rescue associations or other animal shelter operators on the ideal type of spaces for an animal shelter. Look around your area for such an ideal location. You can also start small from your house. However, always consult your budget.
The next step is setting up advertising for the shelter. Social media is a perfect way of getting the word out about your shelter. Set up social media accounts and follow as many animal rescue associations and foundations as possible. Also, follow other animal shelters in your locality. Establish a strong presence on social media.
You can get a good website designer to build you a website. This can be a great way to connect with others and advertise your shelter. The website should feature a lot of your animals’ pictures and stories about how they got to the shelter or their progress so far. Such bios make the animals more appealing.
Finally, learn to network with animal rescue associations and foundations in your area. Take the time to attend their events and activities. Partner with other local organisations, like schools and care homes, to bring stray, abused or abandoned animals into the shelter. Networking helps raise the profile of your animal shelter.
When you follow these steps, then you are on your way to having and operating a successful animal shelter. Contact us for more information today!.