Full Version: starting a rescue or doing something to help
hi
I know a girl who started her own Italian Greyhound adoption group, but I don't think she would be able to help you with your questions regarding retired racing Greyhounds.. I think it's great that you're willing to help out. 
My personal recommendation from being on the board of a nonprofit is help out a group that's in place already rather than trying to start one yourself. You'll be able to do more and use your time more efficiently than you will if you're having to handle all of the admin, legal, and financial stuff yourself.
If you are in the U. S., the easiest way to go is to start a GPA chapter - they already have a lot of the paperwork available, forms, etc. ... But you need to be a reasonable distance from the nearest GPA group - I'm assuming that you're not assisting a local group because there is no local group?
| QUOTE (shalea @ Aug 3 2007, 10:06 PM) |
| My personal recommendation from being on the board of a nonprofit is help out a group that's in place already rather than trying to start one yourself. |
That is going to be my first question.... is there one in your area or close enough that you could branch off and become an area coordinate for that hub?
If you are in ANY way able to help out an organization already in place, that is my advice. even if there is one in another town, you could contact the nearest, let them know of your desire to help out for the cause, and ask them what you can do.
The main reason I say this, is there are SO MANY "rescue groups" already, not including greyhounds, and in some of these groups, there are some rivalries (stupid, but true) even though we are all working for the greater good, it just doesnt help having more than one greyhound group in an area, and one thats already in place is doing all the tough work, and you can be better suited to concentrating on one aspect.
If this is not an option, I can put you in contact with the person that started Colorado Greyhound Adoption. PM me and let me know.
Where are you located in the US? That would help us determine if there is a GPA group already near you or if you're in an area that needs a greyhound adoption group. GPA does have the prerequsite that you must be at least 50 miles away from a current GPA group's coverage area. If you are within a GPA Chapter's coverage area, we would ask that you work with that GPA chapter as a satellite with the possibility of becoming a full chapter at a later date.
Additionally, it would be incredibly beneficial if you have been active in greyhound adoption or other breed rescue in the past or currently (and I don't mean you're just an adopter or have attended meet-n-greets, I mean, serious volunteer time - dealing with the conflicts and problems that occur at the Board level of an adoption group). Starting an adoption group is NOT easy and it does require a steady income. You cannot run an adoption group on bakes sales/collar sales alone or recoup all the costs of vet work, feeding, housing, etc from your adoption fees. If you think you can, your adoption fee will most likely be way too high and no one will adopt from you. The majority, if not all, adoption groups were started by the founder's own cash or a loan.
I don't mean to discourage you, but this road you are thinking about going down, is not easy (I think you should know the difficulties, as well as the rewards regarding this endeavor). You also need to think about how your group will be run. Will you have foster homes? How many would you have initially? Just you? Think about when you have 3 fosters in your home and then you get a call that an adopter needs to return their greyhound to your group. If your group initially adopted out that greyhound, it is GPA policy that you accept the greyhound back into your program, no ifs ands or buts. So...now you have 4 fosters in your home....or do you board him/her? Can your group afford that? That's just one of the numerous questions you will need to ask yourself.
Liz Ardell
Executive Secretary
Greyhound Pets of America
Additionally, it would be incredibly beneficial if you have been active in greyhound adoption or other breed rescue in the past or currently (and I don't mean you're just an adopter or have attended meet-n-greets, I mean, serious volunteer time - dealing with the conflicts and problems that occur at the Board level of an adoption group). Starting an adoption group is NOT easy and it does require a steady income. You cannot run an adoption group on bakes sales/collar sales alone or recoup all the costs of vet work, feeding, housing, etc from your adoption fees. If you think you can, your adoption fee will most likely be way too high and no one will adopt from you. The majority, if not all, adoption groups were started by the founder's own cash or a loan.
I don't mean to discourage you, but this road you are thinking about going down, is not easy (I think you should know the difficulties, as well as the rewards regarding this endeavor). You also need to think about how your group will be run. Will you have foster homes? How many would you have initially? Just you? Think about when you have 3 fosters in your home and then you get a call that an adopter needs to return their greyhound to your group. If your group initially adopted out that greyhound, it is GPA policy that you accept the greyhound back into your program, no ifs ands or buts. So...now you have 4 fosters in your home....or do you board him/her? Can your group afford that? That's just one of the numerous questions you will need to ask yourself.
Liz Ardell
Executive Secretary
Greyhound Pets of America
Wow, your questions sound like mine several months back. I too wanted to start an adoption group with a kennel only because we don't have one in our area with a kennel. Ok, after alot of questions and alot of answers, they are all right! We have many groups in my state, VA. I adopted my greys from Project Racing Home in N.C. and Greyhound Angel Adoption in N.J. Both have kennels and any where from 20 to 50 dogs at any given time. I like having the kennel for two reasons but they are more one in the same. There are many dogs to choose from or, how ever you look at it, there are many dogs to choose you!
So I posted many questions in referencing to starting yet another adoption group in Virginia. I sounds like a good idea, but in reality you are only competing with others who are trying to accomplish the same thing. With all the responses I got I soon realized the best thing I can do is help out the existing groups.
I am in the process of building a new home on a 3 acre lot. Once I get moved and have it all fenced in I can start fostering for other groups or be a satilite location for another group. They all need all the help they can get. I am way to far away to physically help out either of the two groups I adopted from but I donate money and ship office supplies to them and I use I-Give.com to make on line purchases to make donations that way. Trust me, every little bit helps and it is all very much appriciated!
So when the time comes, when I have everything set up I will call my two groups and see if I can foster from a distance. I tell people all the time about both groups I adopted from and why I drove 5 hours each way to both locations.
If you can offer your time when they get a new haul of dogs in or help out with meet and greets at the Pet Smarts that would be more help then you can amagine. Just go to a meet and greet and ask them how much they need your help. You will be surprised.
Bobbi
So I posted many questions in referencing to starting yet another adoption group in Virginia. I sounds like a good idea, but in reality you are only competing with others who are trying to accomplish the same thing. With all the responses I got I soon realized the best thing I can do is help out the existing groups.
I am in the process of building a new home on a 3 acre lot. Once I get moved and have it all fenced in I can start fostering for other groups or be a satilite location for another group. They all need all the help they can get. I am way to far away to physically help out either of the two groups I adopted from but I donate money and ship office supplies to them and I use I-Give.com to make on line purchases to make donations that way. Trust me, every little bit helps and it is all very much appriciated!
So when the time comes, when I have everything set up I will call my two groups and see if I can foster from a distance. I tell people all the time about both groups I adopted from and why I drove 5 hours each way to both locations.
If you can offer your time when they get a new haul of dogs in or help out with meet and greets at the Pet Smarts that would be more help then you can amagine. Just go to a meet and greet and ask them how much they need your help. You will be surprised.
Bobbi