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 Allan and I 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 $600,000 budget and housing 40-64 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, 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 Fostering compassion and responsibility for horses through intervention, education, and outreach.