Guidelines for Establishing a Horse Rescue Facility
Dear Horse Friends,
Thank you for your interest in starting a non-profit horse rescue. As I am sure you are aware it is a very expensive undertaking. When we began our operation in 1989, we started with our own funds as well. What we discovered, however, is that alone we could only afford to rescue a few horses at a time, however, with the help of many others we can increase the amount of horses rescued.
Therefore we started looking into becoming a non-profit so we could request donations from the public to help fund the rescue of horses. Since that time we have gone from a $50,000 a year budget to $1,200,000 budget and housing 40-75 horses at any one time.
We also discovered during this time of growth that while we can make a dent in the problem, we will need the help of other rescues throughout the nation to help the many horses that we cannot reach.
With this thought in mind we wrote a manual entitled "Guidelines for establishing a Horse Rescue Facility". In writing this manual we hope to spare others the mistakes that we made when we first started and share our knowledge. This manual is available to anyone interested is starting a horse rescue. We do request a donation of $100 to receive this manual. If you are interested, please make your check out to:
DEFHR
P.O. Box 309
Lisbon, MD 21765
or you may put the donation on your Visa, MasterCard or Discover by calling the farm at 301-854-5037. I have enclosed the table of contents from the book and a list of appendixes which are included. We also include copies of many of our promotional ideas for events, direct mail, press releases, thank you letters and much more so you can use them as samples or for brainstorming ideas of your own.
Thank you for your interest and I wish you great success in your endeavor.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Schwartz-Howe, Executive Director
Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc.
Appendix (Samples)
Chapter 1
1-1: Humane Organization Survey
Chapter 2
2-1: Certificate of Appreciation
2-2: Volunteer Event Flyer
2-3: Volunteer Sign In
2-4: Daily Chore List
2-5: Volunteer Expectations
2-6: Job Descriptions
2-7: Organizational Chart
2-8: Farm Rules
2-9: Waiver
2-10: Volunteer Application
Chapter 3
3-1: Sample Horse Record - Entrance Exam
3-2: Policies and Procedures for Seized Horses
3-3: Animal Release Form
3-4: Shelter Manual
3-5: Condition Scoring Chart
3-6: Complaint Report
3-7: Investigation Form - Field
Identification Report
3-8: Adoption Application
3-9: Adoption Agreement
3-10: Farm Inspection Report
3-11: Adoption Tracking Log
3-12: Annual Follow Up Inspection Report
3-13: Boarding Contract
3-14: Letter to Stable Owner(s)
3-15: Program Brochures (in pocket)
3-16: Monthly Sponsorship Certificate
Chapter 4
4-1: Bylaws
4-2: Articles of Incorporation
4-3: Temporary Letter of Determination
4-4: Permanent Letter of Determination
4-5: Secretary of State Certificate
Chapter 5
5-1: Chart of Accounts
5-2: Profit and Loss
5-3: Budget
5-4: Balance Sheets
5-5: Donation Form
Chapter 6
6-1: Tri-fold (in pocket)
6-2: Newsletters (in pocket)
6-3: Direct Mail
6-4: Press Release
6-5: Public Service Announcement
6-6: Event Flyer
6-7: Booth Contact Form
Chapter 7
7-1: Horse / Pony Care Checklist
American Association of Equine
Practitioners (A.A.E.P.) brochures,
inside back cover
Colic
Dental Care
Emergency Care
Equine Infectious Anemia
Euthanasia
Expectant Mare
Foaling Mare and Newborn
Immunizations
Lameness Exams
Parasite Control
Purchase Exams
And much much more…
Table of Contents
Introduction
Foreword: History of Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. - Page i
Goals of Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. - Page ii
Guidelines for Establishing a Horse Rescue Organization
I Determine Needs
II Enlist Supporters
III Determine Purpose / Set Goals and Objectives
IV Becoming a Nonprofit
V Accountability and Ethics
VI Fundraising
VII Horse Care and Shelter Guidelines
For more information call:
301/854-5037 or
410/442-1564
E-Mail:
info@defhr.org
Physical Address:
1372 Woodbine Road
Woodbine, MD 21797
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 309
Lisbon, Maryland 21765
directions
Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer based humane organization
whose mission is to ensure quality care and treatment of horses
through intervention, education, and outreach.