“HOW DO I OPEN A CENTER LIKE TABBY'S PLACE?”Jonathan RosenbergFounder & Executive DirectorTabby’s Place: a Cat Sanctuarywww.tabbysplace.org

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?”

Rephrasing Question

I am rephrasing question

This is what people are really asking

“How can I do as much as possible to help cats?”

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

A Non-profit Animal Shelter is a Business

Why businesses fail:1. Started for wrong reasons*

2. Poor management3. Insufficient capital ($)

A business will burn money: Especially in early years

* Not a problem for you. Starting for “passion” is a good reason.

Rules #1 - #3

1. Don’t get in over your head2. Don’t get in over your head3. Don’t get in over your head

Corollaries:1. always ends badly2. you do more good by

not going under

Rule #4

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.

Rule #5

5. Take honest inventory of resources on hand:

Money Time Expertise

business management Internet

Rule #6

6. Double your time & cost estimates

X2

“So, what can I do?

Spare Money What You can do

none Volunteer at local shelter, foster cats/kittens, fund raise for local shelter, TNR

$10,000 Donate to local shelter; foster special needs cats

$100,000 Donate to local shelter (with eye to join Board, help set policies); start foundation (e.g., to fund special needs at shelters)

$1,000,000 Build small shelter; start foundation to sponsor research

Money is limiting factor

Questions?

Please feel free to contact me with comments or questions:

jr@tabbysplace.org 908-237-5300 x226

Conclusions

Passion is necessary But it is not enough

You can make a difference:

Be realistic Join with others Help the cats