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Step 1
The first step in starting a spay neuter program is to decide if you will have your own location, such as a clinic, or if you can do the surgeries at a veterinarians office or other location. Using an existing facility, such as an animal shelter or humane society, will cost much less than buying or renting real estate space.
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Step 2
Next, determine how your program will work. Is your goal to offer discount spay neuter services, or completely free services for low income pet owners? Will you pay veterinarians to help with spay neuter clinics, or will you want their services donated? Will you use a voucher system? Try to find a program that already exists that suits your needs and use that program as a prototype for your own.
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Step 3
For tax purposes, your spay neuter group will need to be registered as a 5013c non-profit organization. There are many eHow articles about how to set up a 5013c - this process really only involves filling out some paperwork that must be mailed to the IRS.
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Step 4
Once you are approved as a 5013c, you will need to do some fund raising to raise money to pay for the program. The money will be used for paying veterinarians or clinics for their services, buying supplies, advertising, and administrative expenses like office supplies. You can find all kinds of articles on eHow about how to hold fundraisers.
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Step 5
Once you have a location, veterinarians, and you have raised some funds, you need to advertise your program. Leave business cards or flyers at veterinary offices, the animal shelter, pet stores, and any other public place that will allow you to. Check with the local newspaper and see if they will print an ad for free.
Comments
Merriment said
on 6/1/2009 I never considered starting my own program. I've only considered helping to promote already existing low-cost spay programs in the area. Very neat article with helpful information.