IT TAKES A COMMUNITY
Helping Ensure Success for Horse Rescues

OVERVIEW

Do you run an equine rescue or sanctuary in Canada? Are you considering starting one?
This document provides suggestions for new or existing rescues, ideas for organizing
initiatives and provides fund-raising recommendations to help build for success.

STARTING A HORSE RESCUE

1. Do you own or lease the property? If leasing, a continuing relationship with the
property owner is best, including the owner’s concurrence on completion of
needed property improvements.
2. Create a business plan, including a budget. Include who you are and why you’re
doing it, who you are wanting to attract, rescue or sanctuary description,
day-to-day operations, social impact and a fund-raising plan. Research how to
build your community.
3. Decide if you want to offer horses for adoption, or if you strictly want to provide
sanctuary for them. If you plan to do adoptions, create an Adoption Agreement.
Many adoption templates can be found online.
4. Decide if you wish to be a registered charity or non-profit organization. This isn’t
necessary, but there may be advantages to registering. If you do register, put that
information up front on your website. Some people prefer to donate to registered
charities that provide tax receipts.
5. Create a presence online with a website and social media pages. Community
involvement locally and beyond will help create and sustain positive results.
6. Create a logo, if needed with the help of platforms such as VistaPrint.
7. Have a Donate button up front on your website. You can use PayPal and Canada
Helps to help make it easier for people to support your cause.
8. Check out other rescues’ web sites, as many have built sites on their knowledge of
how to achieve success.

MORE IDEAS FOR GOOD OUTCOMES

1. Hire or recruit an Events Coordinator and Funding Coordinator.
2. Hire or recruit a Volunteer Coordinator and Social Media Manager.
3. Meet the Team or About Us page on the website.
4. Hire or recruit a photographer to capture quality photos of your rescue and its
residents. An eye-pleasing website works to your advantage. Contact a local
college that provides photography programs, and recruit a student wanting more
experience.
5. Update the website monthly if possible. Have an events calendar, and document
past events. Having current information validates your rescue’s legitimacy.
6. Create rescue social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, X), build a following and
update weekly or more if possible.
7. If technology isn’t one of your strengths, enlist the help of a friend or volunteer.
8. Create an Amazon wish list and promote online.
9. If there’s a budget for promotional materials, or if you plan on participating at
local events, VistaPrint is a full marketing solutions provider.
10. Collaborate with local businesses to collect donations (pet food stores, feed stores,
realtors, radio stations, local merchants, schools, etc.)
11. Recognize corporate and business sponsors with a Thank You page on the website
with links to their websites. Individuals may wish to remain anonymous, but they
can be included as well.
12. How Your Donations Help page on your website.
13. Contact local news agencies to get local news coverage (upcoming events or
ongoing community initiatives).
14. Recruit volunteers to assist with chores and property improvements.
15. Ways to volunteer can include equipment maintenance, property and paddocks
clean-up days, fencing repairs, school volunteer hours, clean tack, etc.
16. Collaborate with local humane societies if you wish to assist with animals in their
program.
17. Communicate with other successful rescues to glean helpful knowledge from their
experiences.
18. Local supporters may be able to help if you wish to start a foster care program, so
you can help more animals than what you can accommodate at your rescue.

FUND-RAISING INITIATIVES

1. Have a Meet the Horses web page, with information on ones available to adopt or
sponsor.
2. Sponsor a horse (provide monthly updates to sponsors, including wish list items).
Create a certificate for the sponsor, or send a fridge magnet with your logo.
Sponsorships can also be in honour of a friend, former pet or as a birthday gift.
Provide monthly updates on their sponsored horse.
3. Rehab sponsorships or total care sponsorships
4. Feed and hay sponsorships
5. Post wish list items on social media (can include large items like washer/dryer and
smaller items like blankets, feed, tack, etc.)
6. Visitor annual visit passes to purchase
7. Yard sales, Bake sales and Silent auctions (collect donations from local businesses
and supporters)
8. 50/50 draws
9. Day Camp for kids and/or adults/seniors
10. Groom and Graze Days, Barn Clean-up Days, or Farm Visits by donation.
11. Feed store donations (soon to expire feed, mis-labelled feed that can’t be sold
in-store)
12. Donations boxes at feed stores, tack stores, grocery stores, vet’s offices, etc.)
13. Community work days on the farm
14. Monthly Meet the Horses Days (with donation)
15. Education Days for kids and/or adults/seniors
16. Memorial page on website to remember residents who are gone now
17. Post successful adoptions – it shows that your hard efforts to help horses is
working.
18. Post gallery pictures of your residents so people can get to know your residents.
This can help create more sponsorships and donations.
19. List your rescue with CharityCar.ca or similar sites where cars are donated and all
proceeds go to your rescue.
20. Collaborate with animal assistance organizations like Berkeley’s Place or Miss
Dixie’s Foundation who help empower animal rescues.

COMMUNITY-BUILT SUCCESS

Rescuing horses is a true labour of love, which takes financial commitment, hard work
and much dedication. With added community involvement, you’ll get the support and
assistance you’ll need to keep your rescue successfully operating for many years.

With thanks to the many Canadian equine rescues who protect our horses and provide
inspiration, guidance and innovative ideas for others.

Shelley Grainger