Starting a rescue
Hi, I am no expert, and we didn't start in quite the same way as most, but this is roughly what we say to most who have asked us in the past, this is copy n pasted from a document we use.
There are numorus considerations to starting a rescue, obviously the 1st is accommodation, have you got enough room and resource to start off with, also at this point consider how big you intend to grow to IE how many animals you can hold at any one time. When you have decided on this, then stick to it, some rescue centres end up being a part of the problem rather than the cure due to being over run with animals and unable to cope with them.
This is you 1st hurdle, the next is funding, how will you fund your centre, if you want help from larger organisations then becoming registered as a charity can help, this is a very big undertaking as you will require a committee and an accountant with regular minuted meetings.
If you do go down this route then some of the following may be easier.
Once you have established your centre name you will need to approach your local council for two things, The Animal welfare bill is currently being enforced across the country this means all rescue centres must be registered with the council, you will also need a special pass to use the local amenities for disposal of all the waste.
Some council will not be upholding this yet, but it would be best to check.
This is also the same point where you need to consider your neigbours and the parking and road that you live on, some centres have had problems due to location.
When you open to the public then it is a very good idea to have insurance Public liability is essential as you will be fully responsible for any accident on your property also during fundraising and information days you mayattend, you stand to loose everything if you have none. If you have helpers even voluntary, you will require employers insurance for these also.
If you allow any member of the public into your house you risk your house insurance not being valid. So an outside toilet can be a help.
These points are the hardest to deal with, but all are essential.
Other considerations are….
You become very tied to the centre, holidays are almost non existent even when you have dedicated and trusted helpers, it can be a worrying time, in four years we have had one five day break.
Your social and family life end up fitting in around the centre especially if like us you have set opening times, though this does enable a degree of routine.
You require vast amounts of bedding and food, fruit and vegetables.
You must keep all the hutches pristine all of the time, the RSPCA will come and have a look at some stage, usually unannounced.
The Animal welfare bill requires you to keep lists of all animals that pass through the rescue including who/where the animal came from and who/where the animal has gone.
Veterinary care, the most expensive out lay for us, but we choose to neuter and vaccinate every animal.
Fund raising, takes up weekends and large amounts of effort.
The whole thing will be a thankless task with very few praising your efforts, most of the general public assume that they are helping you when they dump there unwanted pet on you, even when it has fly strike, or some terminal problem. A vast majority will annoy and wind you up, you will end up crying and asking why you ever bothered.
But all this said the whole experience and the joy of taking in an animal rehabilitating it and re-homing it to a forever home will warm your heart. This is really the only plus point other than knowing you are potentially helping hundreds of animals each year.
There are other considerations you will find as you go along. The RWF will supply you with booklets as hand outs, I will list a number of helpful websites and forums which may help.
I hope this has not painted to dull a picture, but I am giving you the realistic view so you do not run headlong into a venture you’re not ready for.
www.houserabbit.co.uk
www.noahs-cupboard.co.uk
http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/
http://www.ukincorp.co.uk/?s=N#1
http://tuftyfund.org.uk/forum/default.asp
http://www.mcisltd.co.uk/
Above is a list of very useful sites, from becoming a registered charity to insurance and forums.
In honesty, if we knew what we where taking on 4 years ago we would never have started, but on the very same note, we have no intention of giving up now, we have learnt a vast amount and the whole experience has made us much stronger people. I would suggest if you try this, then do it with a well balanced out look. You will
not be able to save every single bunny, but you will save hundreds of others which may not have had a chance if you had not tried.
Many thanks
Shaun
Rabbit and Guinea Pig Welfare.