Advice for those who want to open a sanctuary for homeless cats

1. “How do I Open a Center Like Tabby's Place?” Jonathan Rosenberg Founder & Executive Director Tabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuary www.tabbysplace.org

2. Introduction At least once/week I am asked I created this presentation to answer the questions. “How do I open a center like Tabby's Place?”

3. Rephrasing Question I am rephrasing question This is what people are really asking “How can I do as much as possible to help cats?”

4. Tabby’s Place Factoids Idea: April 1999 Opened: October 2003 Permitting & engineering: 3 years Construction & final permitting: 1.5 years 7,000 square feet Costs Construction: $1.2M Equipment: $125K Annual budget: $600K

5. A Non-profit Animal Shelter is a Business Why businesses fail: Started for wrong reasons* Poor management Insufficient capital ($) A business will burn money: Especially in early years *Not a problem for you. Starting for “passion” is a good reason.

6. Rules #1 - #3 Don’t get in over your head Don’t get in over your head Don’t get in over your head Corollaries: always ends badly you do more good by not going under

7. Rule #4 Have resources up front Enough to build & operate for >= 5 years Corollary: you can’t raise money for a non-profit with only an idea.

8. Rule #5 Take honest inventory of resources on hand: Money Time Expertise business management Internet

9. Rule #6 Double your time & cost estimates X2

10. “So, what can I do? Money is limiting factor

11. Questions? Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions: jr@tabbysplace.org 908-237-5300 x226

12. Conclusions Passion is necessary But it is not enough You can make a difference: Be realistic Join with others Help the cats