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Step 1
Scout out land for your rescue. Be mindful of the location as some communities in the Chicagoland area have breed-specific legislation pending or enacted. For example, in North Chicago, bully owners have to register their dogs on a yearly basis, which requires a hefty licensing fee.
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Step 2
Buy at least the state minimum of $750,000 of liability insurance. This has to include medical coverage of at least $500,000 per person per dog bite. By law, the insurance agent who issues the policy has to be within 50 miles of your rescue.
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Step 3
Find a licensed veterinarian to care for the animals. The Department of Health has to grant you a license to open the rescue. One of the requirements is that you have a contract with a licensed veterinarian who has an office or lives within 25 miles of the rescue. The Department of Health will also have to inspect the rescue before you open the doors.
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Step 4
Work with a pet store and an animal trainer in your area. Ask the pet store for discounted food and find out if they can accept non-monetary donations for you. PetSmart, for example, will provide discounted food for rescue centers that meet certain requirements. An animal trainer may be willing to compile a training guide for you to give adoptive parents. PetSmart contracts with animal trainers to provide training in the store, so talk to the store manager and the trainer to find out what can be done to help you help the dogs.
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Step 5
Screen prospective adoptive parents. You should feel confident that the adoptive parents will properly care for the dog. It is important that you have the parents sign a contract. You should check up on the dogs you adopt out periodically to make sure that they are being properly cared for at all times.
