I want to start an Equine and Canine rescue in my state, but donot have all the funds to purchase the land or the buildings. Can I start doing fundraisers and accepting donations to get this started before we are actually open? Also, any suggestions on getting started from scratch would be most helpful!

You do not need to incorporate to be registered with the IRS as a non-profit. (I'm working through this process right now with some other Y/A horse folks)

It is a tedious process. The "rescue" we have founded is really a fundraising effort to support REPUTABLE rescues. I'd suggest you contact an organization like the United States Equine Rescue League and ask them about ethical standards and practices for rescues. The last thing the horse world needs is another horse trader abusing the charitable nature of folks with a sympathetic "rescue" marketing ploy.

This is going to sound harsh, but it isn't a personal slam. I don't know of a single reputable rescue whose donations purchased the land/structures. I'm assuming you'll be living there…so why should rescue dollars pay for your housing when they could be going to save horses? It isn't feasible (or ethical) to make ones living off donations that were given to rescue animals. That would be deplorable.

Our dream is to buy the 50 acres next to us, lay it out in pasture and hay, and eventually offer retirement facilities specifically for aged horses to finish their days. It is YEARS down the road because the finances simply aren't in place yet.

An underfunded rescue is a precarious situation for animals who have already seen the rough end of life.

All that sounds terribly negative, doesn't it? Again, not a personal slam or meant to question your personal morality or ethics…but your question is worded in a way that leads me to believe that you need to do more research and grunt work. You are a long way from fundraisers and donations.

The more of a rescuer's personal sweat and finances that go into their venture, the more likely I am to donate.

Filed under: equine

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