How to Build Farm Animal Shelters

Farm animal shelters need adequate pasture land for grazing.

Keeping animals safe and healthy is a goal for many people, whether the animals are house pets like dogs and cats or barnyard critters like horses, cows, chickens and pigs. There are farm animal rescue shelters in areas around the country, and if you want to build one in your area, you must develop a plan that includes what kinds of animals to house, where to build the shelter, how to fund it and how to manage it.

Things You'll Need

• Shelter development plan
• Land acreage

Instructions

Land Needs

1. 

   Ponds are good for shelters to attract ducks and geese.

   Decide on the kinds of animals to shelter and choose land that will be appropriate for them. The number of acres you'll need depends on the animals' needs. For example, acreage should include pasture land for feeding horses, cows, and sheep, brush areas for goats, mud areas for pigs, and ponds for geese and ducks. Your desired land's zoning requirements may help you decide what kinds of animals you can shelter.

2. 

   Choose an area of land where there's room for expansion.

   Choose land that will allow for expansion. Your animal shelter needs may grow over time, so find an area where you can add acreage to your farm animal rescue operation. Find out if the land that surrounds your chosen property is zoned for commercial use; this may mean that expansion would not be possible.

3. 

   Apply for a zoning permit.

   Determine zoning laws for housing farm animals, and then apply for a zoning permit, if necessary. This is important because laws may vary as to what kinds of animals and buildings are allowed on your property. For example, townships and other agricultural communities may require development plans for physical shelter buildings and land usage or they may prohibit certain structures altogether. Contact the municipality where you want to build the shelter.

4. 

   If you don't already own it, buy it.

   Buy the land that is appropriate for your needs once the zoning and any other requirements are met.

Nonprofit Organization Status

1. 

   Incorporate your farm animal sanctuary for nonprofit status.

   Incorporate your farm animal sanctuary as a not-for-profit business. Contact your home state's secretary of state or other authoritative office, either online or in person. Review the instructions, fill out the necessary forms and pay any required fees.

2. 

   Nonprofit organizations can receive tax-deductible donations.

   Apply for federal nonprofit status if your farm animal shelter is a public organization. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov for information on charitable organizations described in section 501(c)(3), which allows the entity to receive tax-deductible donations.

3. 

   Develop a plan to run the shelter.

   Choose a board of directors for the farm animal shelter, as required for nonprofit organizations. Your board of directors should develop a plan to best run the shelter so that day-to-day objectives are met.

Community Support

1. 

   Email campaigns advertise the farm animal shelter.

   Advertise your plans to build the farm animal shelter by creating a mail campaign for the community. Inform potential donors, volunteers and other supporters of your plans through direct mail and email. Create newsletters and press releases to send to local media outlets and your local government representatives.

2. Organize "town meetings" on the issue of farm animal rescues. Get other people involved by garnering support and ideas for how to promote the problems and the solutions you are offering.

3. 

   Ask local companies to become corporate sponsors.

   Contact local businesses and organizations; ask them to become corporate sponsors of the shelter. Develop community donation programs that will help to get your project off the ground as well as provide ongoing support for it.

References

• Farm Animal Shelters: Establishing a Sanctuary
• Farm Animal Shelters: Developing a Sanctuary
• Delaware County, Ohio: Berkshire Township Zoning Code
• Ohio Secretary of State: Nonprofit organizations
• Internal Revenue Service: 501 ( c ) (3) Organizations

Resources

• Farm Animal Shelters: Rescuing and Protecting Farm Animals
• Farm Sanctuary: Rescue, Education, Advocacy
• Earth Angels Animal Sanctuary: Rescuing Companion Animals and Farm Animals
• Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary