This was posted on a herp list I'm on by another rescuer. It was so thorough that I asked his permission to use it when others ask this same question. Heck, it's more detailed than what I did before I started a rescue, but it made me think about things I hadn't before. Something to ponder, at least:



Here are some considerations in establishing your rescue which we have gone through:



Organization



1) What is my mission statement and what are my goals and

objectives?

2) How large of an organization do I want to create?

3) What are my liability and insurance requirements?

4) What are the zoning restrictions/limitations?

5) What will my neighbors, local businesses, local leaders think of my operation?

6) Will I be public or private?

a) Will I want to incorporate, become an LLC, a non-profit, or remain a hobbyist?

b) Will I need to establish a board of directors, if so, when, who, how?

c) Will I need a mentor or sponsor?

7) Where will I conduct operations (home, remote location,

rental space)

8) Do I have room for expansion, do I want to expand?

9) How will I seek improvement, education, training, expertise?





Operations



1) How can I obtain permits, certification, training, and meet the required city, county, state or federal laws/requirements?

2) How will I fund my rescue (donations, out of pocket,

corporate, or sales)

3) Will I use volunteers or family?

4) How will I align my organization with other recues or animal welfare organizations, societies or groups?

5) How will I conduct marketing and advertising to:

a) The Public

b) Animal welfare/humane/rescue organizations

c) Law Enforcement

d) The Media

6) What is my message to the above (what themes, thoughts or beliefs do I want to convey?)

7) Where will I handle intakes and drop offs? (Actual location versus remote location).

8) How will I handle intakes?

a) Emergencies

b) Routine

c) Communications methods (email, phone, snail mail, walk ins)

d) Quarantine versus short term versus long term

e) Fostering



Missions/Functions



1) What will I rescue? (Exotics versus natives).

2) Will I do rehabilitation?

3) How will I keep rescues/rehabs/residents?

4) How will I handle the adoption/placement/release or

euthenasia of animals for which I am responsible?

5) In what peripheral activities will I engage? Training,

education, display, pick up/removal?



Infrastructure



1) What are my space/storage requirements for:

a) Animals

b) food items

c) dry goods and supplies (durable versus disposable)

d) medical supplies

2) How will the public access my facility

3) How can I restrict/permit access to visitors? Neighbors? Children?

4) What are my security requirements?

a) Internal versus external

b) Physical versus electronic

c) Emergency procedures (natural/manmade, electrical, water, wind, fire)

d) Evacuation procedures

e) Escape prevention and mitigation

f) Recovery and restoration





Useful Links



Our Website for examples

http://www.boxturtle.org

Wildlife Rescue Orgs

http://www.boxturtle.org/pages/links.htm

Compass Point – help for non profits

http://www.compasspoint.org/

Board Café – for non profit Boards

http://www.boardcafe.org/

Support for Small Businesses

http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/

Constant Contact

http://www.constantcontact.com

Listing of businesses

http://www.melissadata.com/

About Non Profits

http://nonprofit.about.com/





By State listing of rescues

http://www.vaherper.com

Am Reptile & Amphib Vets http://www.arav.org

PIJAC (Politcal Action for Pet Trade) http://www.pijac.org

Humane Society of the US http://www.hsus.org

APPMA http://www.appma.org

International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council http://www.iwrc-

online.org/

National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association

http://www.nwrawildlife.org/

Wildlife Rehab Directory

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/


-----
Bonnie Keller

VA Reptile Rescue

www.vareptilerescue.org

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