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Step 1
Consider where your shelter is going to be located. Do you have space in your home, or will you need to rent out a place to house the dogs as well as your business? The number of dogs that you plan on housing will determine how much space you need. There is plenty of room in Essex for another shelter if you choose the right location. To give yourself the best chance of success, you may want to opt for a location north of Essex where there is more space available.
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Step 2
Hire help if need be. Even if you are only running a small Chihuahua dog rescue, you may need to hire an employee or two. This is something that you will better figure out as you get underway and your shelter grows. There are many resources in Essex that can help you to find employees. For instance, you can advertise in a newspaper, such as the "Essex Chronicle," or seek out interested students at the local university.
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Step 3
Choose whether to incorporate as a non-profit or run a private shelter. In many cases, the best way to make this decision is to speak with a lawyer that specializes in this area. The option that you choose will determine the taxes that you pay, the structure of your business, and much more. There are many certified public accountants in an around Essex that will be able to assist you with choosing and forming the right institution.
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Step 4
Decide where are you going to get your Chihuahuas. There are many answers to this question. You can find dogs in other shelters that put animals down, in puppy mills or by accepting homeless dogs.
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Step 5
Set fees and an application process for anybody interested in adopting a Chihuahua from your shelter. You need to have steps in place that you follow with each interested party. The money you accept will help to keep your shelter running, and with a screening process you can ensure that the new owner will take care of the dog.
