There are many pets left by their owners. More often, they are relinquished and left to fend for themselves, which expose them to starvation, harm, and death.
It would be great if there is an establishment in your area that would care for these abandoned and helpless animals. However, with more and more of them being left, shelters are becoming too populated. There are even instances wherein healthy ones were discharged because the place is overcrowded. They could have been saved if only there are other rescue centers in the area that could accommodate them.
How to Write a Grant for Animal Shelter?
If you’re an animal lover who wants to extend your affection to these abandoned creatures, you can start a shelter in your area. There are grants for animal shelter that you can tap as the need arises.
To get started, you need to do these:
1. Assess the needs of the community.
Are there any existing pet refuge in your area? Does it fail to meet the needs in terms of housing and securing rescued pets?
Once you have identified the need and current situation of the center, the next thing that you have to do is to work on the best approach in establishing it. It would help if you would have ties with the existing rescue centers and welfare groups in your place. This way, you will be able to get your needed support from experienced people.
2. Take time to develop and earn some experience.
It takes more than sheer willingness and determination to have it work. You would also need some experience in running and managing the facility.
You can best earn this by serving as a volunteer for your chosen place or rescue center. You can also use some time to join seminars. Moreover, take time to build some networks as you would need when you have to coordinate with somebody outside your vicinity.
3. Create a plan.
Make sure to put your plans in writing. This would help you know that your organization is properly managed and aligned with your goals and objectives. You would also need a well-prepared organizational by laws, articles of incorporation, mission and vision statements, and other documents required in filing for the IRS 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status.
4. Raise funds.
You can start raising funds through donations from friends and colleagues. Also, reach out to government units and private funding sources that provide grants for animal shelter and rescue centers. This is where networking plays an important part. Remember that major donations come from personal contacts; hence, you need to beef up your network to gain more donations and support from your neighborhood.
Aside from donations, you can also start walk drives, events, and programs where animal lovers can contribute to your project. Contact your rescue center for events that you can organize for your “protected friends.”
Starting a shelter may wear you out faster than a day job. However, it would always be far more rewarding than your regular paycheck to know that you have saved an innocent cat or dog from the claws of death. Why wait when you can start getting yourself involved in animal welfare? Know the available grants for animal shelter in your area and start saving canine and feline lives.
Start grant application writing now! If you can’t make a good proposal, seek help from expert grant writers.
