HELP!!

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on March 16, 2008 at 1:02am

hi amy!

i just saw your post.
have you made any progress?
if not, let me know where you're at as far as starting this shelter and i'll try to get you info as well as some people to talk to.

there is some stuff on google (enter "how to start a no kill shelter") and someone i've had contact with nathan winograd (google him too - he's on youtube), may be able to help since he is very, very experienced with this.

in friendship,
prad

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Permalink Reply by Amy on March 18, 2008 at 7:33pm

Thank you so much for this! I havent gotten anywhere :( and the sad thing is that when i took my dog to the ER Vet this weekend a lady called in and asked them if they would take this little dog she found because the local animal selter (L.E.A.F) told her that they dont pick up on weekends and to just let the dog go back on the streets!!! this animal shelter is horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!! they need to be stopped!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by pradtf on March 18, 2008 at 8:41pm

amy,

that is a most peculiar attitude for an animal shelter!

i tried calling 2 places:
Animal Friends of the Valley 308 Davis St, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530, (951) 674-0618 (closed after hours)
Lake Elsinore Animal Friends (909) 674-0618 29001 Bastron St., Lake Elsinore, CA 92408 (couldn't complete as dialed).
the former claim that they were LEAF on the web and since the fire took place at the one on bastron st, it suggests that possibly there was a split and the 2 groups either went separate ways or one may be a subsection of the other. (if they split, there may be some allies that share your feelings).

i see 2 immediate possibilities:
1. find out what can be done to start your own shelter (your original plan)
2. infiltrate the existing shelter and change policies and practices

#1 is good provided you acquire sufficient knowledge and support. it can take time, but the resources seem to be there (eg people like nathan winograd). here is a link for a possible funding source:
http://www.maddiesfund.org/
they appear to be determined to get the no-kill movement become the status quo.

#2 is possibly a good way to get an 'on-the-job' education. one can volunteer or try to get onto the board of directors. it is a matter of convincing enough people to change the way things are done. since much of the legwork has already been done (eg shelter legal papers exist and people know about it), one is not left with having to 'recreate the wheel' or compete with an existing one.

i think if you have "nothing to start with", it may be a good idea to explore #2 initially. if you are successful in achieving your goals that way - great! however, if not, then you will have experience, contacts, allies and possibly resources to get going on #1 shortly.

let me know which you feel is your preference and we can examine the opportunities.

in friendship,
prad

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Permalink Reply by Tresa (MEAT: No Rx Needed) on April 2, 2008 at 2:33pm

My step-daughter quit a six-figure corporate job and started a no-kill shelter in New Jersey. It is hard work and don't plan to make any money on it.

The only place in the United States that you can go to for hands-on learning about how to open a no-kill shelter is in Kanab, Utah. It is "Best Friends Animal Sanctuary." An absolutely beautiful place in Angel Canyon. Becky even stayed there an extra week as a volunteer just because she enjoyed it so much.

Their web site is http://www.bestfriends.org/

Good luck!

Kindest Regards,
Tresa

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