How to Start a Rescue Group for Maltese Dogs in South Carolina

By Liza Kollman

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Place for shelter
Website
Contacts with the UKC and AKC

Step 1:
Set up your rescue group as a business. It can be a non profit or a regular business, depending on what you would like it to be. Register a tax ID number and make sure that you have a legal business name. Do this with the County Clerks Office in the county within South Carolina where you want to have your business.
Step 2:
Find a business for your rescue group. Although much of the work you do might include moving dogs from one home to another and finding permanent housing, you will end up with some dogs that need to be in your care for awhile. Contact the city and the state of South Carolina to make sure your building is within codes and can accept animals (see Resources).
Step 3:
Set up a website. Your website should say that you are a Maltese rescue organization. Display your agenda and your reason for having the group. Also on your website explain the procedures that one should follow if they hear of a dog that needs to be rescued. Include your contact information, what you plan on doing with the dogs, and a place where volunteers can contact you as well. Also, include a section on your website for people to fill out if they wish to help you re-home the dogs or if they have room for one or more rescued dogs.
Step 4:
Contact both the AKC and UKC and let them know you have a Maltese rescue group. You can also contact the South Carolina departments of both the AKC and the UKC (see Resources) . They will have forms to fill out and policies for you to follow so that you can be listed on both of their websites as a rescue organization.
Step 5:
Advertise at shelters, humane societies, and online that you are a Maltese rescue organization. Contact the Humane Society of South Carolina, as well as shelters that are located in your town or city.
Step 6:
Be sure to return phone calls and emails. Once you begin to be a rescuer, you might be looking at several dogs that need attention a week. As you grow, hire more staff and build up your business to rescue more dogs.

Tips & Warnings

The bigger you get, the more dogs you'll be able to help
Accept help when it is offered to you!
Don't simply allow the dogs to stay at your shelter - you need to re home them whenever possible.

Resources

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