How to Start a Maltese Rescue in Las Vegas

Animal rescue groups take homeless dogs from shelters and pounds so they are not killed. They also assist families that need to find a new home for their pet. Ethical and well-run animal rescue groups will make certain that all dogs receive veterinary care before adoption and work hard to find homes for dogs, conducting interviews, checking references and visiting homes. Animal rescue is not lucrative financially. Las Vegas Nevada is known to have shelters that euthanize adoptable animals, even cute fluffy Maltese dogs. Here is how to start a Maltese rescue in Las Vegas.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Volunteer with an animal rescue group or animal shelter. Offer to perform a wide range of jobs-- foster animals, fundraise, take owner turn-in calls and process adoption applications. Learn as much as you can about running a rescue group. It makes sense to volunteer for a year before taking the leap and opening your own rescue.

2. Meet with an attorney and an accountant. The attorney will counsel about corporate structure, bylaws and paperwork. The accountant will explain and set up the corporate books. Discuss whether the rescue group should apply for 501 (C) (3) status which would make donations tax deductible for the donor. Discuss potential liability issues and whether insurance is recommended.

3. Make an appointment with your veterinarian. The rescue group must develop a good working relationship with a veterinarian. Discuss costs and whether a discount is available for rescue groups. Nevada law requires all animals be spayed or neutered before adoption so find out not only the price the veterinarian charges, but whether she is comfortable performing sterilization surgery on a small breed puppy.

4. Visit local animal control shelters and humane society shelters. Meet with the staff and introduce yourself, explain that you rescue Maltese dogs. It is helpful to have photos of Maltese dogs in various states of grooming so the staff will know one when they see one. Offer to assist with any Maltese dogs that come into the shelter.

5. Recruit volunteers. Find volunteers on petfinder.com or through local service organizations. It is important to screen volunteers; bad volunteers can quickly destroy a new rescue group. Try to match volunteers to the task. For example, give an outgoing volunteer a job that involves meeting and working with the public.

6. Register the rescue group on internet adoption services such as www.petfinder.com. Small dogs like Maltese are very popular with the public so Maltese rescue groups rarely need to go to the extra step of holding adoption shows.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not take in more animals than you can reasonably handle, physically and finaically.
• Work with other rescue groups; do not compete.
• The health and well-being of the dogs must always be the first priority.

Resources

• petfinder.com
• Best Friends Animal Society

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