Top Things to Know About Operating Dog and Cat Shelters
The desire to operate an animal shelter is noble. Running a dog and cat shelter requires a lot of hard work and dedication, as well as a commitment to caring for animals and finding them loving homes. If you are considering this type of work, there are a few things that you should know.
- Choose your location wisely. Some people are forced to run their shelters out of their own homes, and just have to make due with what resources they have available. This might be the case for your shelter as well. If you have the funds available to secure a new location for your shelter, choose carefully. You will need enough space to house the animals, provide necessary medical care, store supplies and act as an office space for all of the administrative operations of the shelter. In addition, the ideal location should have an outdoor space where the animals can exercise.
- Make it legal. You will likely need a business license to operate an animal shelter. Some jurisdictions also require that animal shelter operators have special permits. Check with your local city hall to inquire about the specific licensing requirements for your area.
- Ask for help. It is important that you get some assistance in operating your shelter, whether it be from volunteers or paid employees. If you plan to shelter a large number of dogs, you might also look into finding foster homes where the dogs can live until they are adopted permanently.
- Check out potential adoptive families. It is important that you thoroughly screen all prospective adoptive families. Ensure that they are physically and emotionally able to adopt a pet into their homes. It is a life-long commitment and one that should not be taken lightly. Properly screening all applicants will help to reduce the number of dogs and cats who are returned to your shelter after adoptive owners change their minds.