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Step 1
Volunteer with an established rescue group. Chihuahua Rescue & Transport maintains an active rescue presence in Tampa. Rescue groups always need active volunteers to foster dogs, arrange fundraisers, process adoption applications and transport dogs. Perform as many different duties as possible over an extended period. Volunteering will give you an opportunity to learn how to operate a rescue and also learn the amount of time and effort it takes to open one.
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Step 2
Contact the city of Tampa and ask whether you need a special license to operate an animal rescue in your home. Many cities and homeowner associations impose limits on the number of animals allowed to live in private homes. Contact the state of Florida, Department of Agriculture to determine whether foster homes or rescue groups need to be licensed.
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Step 3
Consult with an attorney about non-profit incorporation. Find out how to protect yourself from personal liability for dog bites and other legal claims. Talk with an accountant about setting up the rescue books and preparing tax forms. Meet with your veterinarian and discuss your plans. Ask for a discount for routine veterinarian services, such as vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery and parasite control.
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Step 4
Join an online shelter portal such as Adoptapet.com or Petfinder.com (see Resources). These services provide rescues with free web pages and searchable adoptable pet profiles. Better yet, millions of pet adoptions start with finding a dog on the Internet. Tampa Bay area adopters can search by zip code to find Chihuahuas close to home.
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Step 5
Prepare an information package for Tampa area shelters. Include complete contact information for anyone who will pick up animals from the shelter as well as the contact information for a veterinarian who will act as a reference.
