How to Start a Non-Profit Horse Rescue

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If you love and understand horses, starting a rescue organization may seem like the most logical move. There is always a need for places that can help horses and forming a non-profit should not be impossible if you follow some common sense rules.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Look online for examples of what other organizations that rescue horses are doing. The Miracle Horse Rescue Inc. and the Spoiled Acres Rescue Incorporated are two great examples of non-profits who work actively to rescue horses. You can find more names by looking at the list provided at Equusite.com, which is organized by state.

Step2

Decide on an angle for your non-profit. If you have acreage available, housing rescued horses may be your first option, but don’t stop there. Some organizations help with temporary housing until the horses can be adopted out, while others provide rehabilitation or a place to live for horses that have been injured or are being retired from racing. Other groups concentrate on investigating cruelty or trying to influence welfare laws.

Step3

Team up with experts who understand horse welfare and health. Caring for rescued horses requires medical knowledge that is expensive and specialized. If you are planning on housing rescued animals, you will need to have a doctor on call that can attend to injuries or emergencies either at a highly discounted price or for free.

Step4

Find out what the laws and regulations are in your state for starting a 501c(3) non-profit organization. You may also need special permissions if you plan on providing a permanent place for horses to live, such as minimum space requirements, housing space, and other details. You will also need to file a notice with the IRS for tax-exempt status and become incorporated in your state.

Tips & Warnings

Try finding volunteer work with a horse rescue organization before you start your own. It will give you a chance to see the inner workings of a group and learn more about what is required on the care of horses.

Comments

dibocc said

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on 8/19/2008 Well, the article is geared to those who are trying to start an organization. The two examples I mentioned in point #1 are well-known and respected. I'm not sure it would be possible to check over all the organizations out there, and if there's a method to do it, I'm not aware of it. I guess it's our responsibility to check in and make sure the money we donate is going to the right place. After that, it's all good faith.

Kaleykitty said

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on 8/18/2008 Starting a horse rescue is all fine and well but who watches over these rescues to make sure that they are on the up and up and that they follow through with their policies? How do you know that these people are honest and forthright with their knowledge of these horses and that they place them in the best home possible?

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