Big Dreams

I've been daydreaming a lot lately about different ways I can make a difference for troubled pit bull owners and their dogs.  I see needs within my community, and I want to be able to offer help and support.  I've been coming up with ideas and ways to execute them.  Formulating the processes is pretty easy for me.  I've been going over and over them in my head.  I haven't put anything down on paper, yet.  I guess that's the point of this post. Where I run into uncertainty is the business side of things.  Legal issues, accounting responsibilities, and how to promote programs. 

Promoting is hard.  I'm learning that with Admiral's petition, his web page, and his Facebook page. Even this blog is seen by very few people. How do other people do it?  How do they gain an audience? How do they find supporters? Where do they start?  I can have the best intentions in the world, but if I don't have visibility in the rescue community, what's the point of trying?

Then there's 501 status.  That's not an easy thing to get. Especially when you don't know your way around the IRS, or even remotely understand anything about nonprofit accounting. And really, I have no desire to delve into that jungle by myself. 

And there's networking.  I. Suck. At networking.  I'm not a people person. I don't reach out and ask for help easily. Getting programs off the ground doesn't happen without input from experienced people. It doesn't happen without mentors. It won't happen if I work alone.

And finally, there's start up costs.  I just do not have any disposable income to devote to a project like this.  Websites cost money. Printed materials cost money.  Getting a professional logo costs money. Trademarking costs money.  And money is one thing I just do not have, nor will I in the foreseeable future.  Maybe in about three years, but not right now.

Here are just a few of things I want to do:

1. Rehoming assistance
2. Provide emergency vet care funding
3. Refer people to low cost spay/neuter and vaccination clinics
4. Heartworm clinics
5. Advocate for fair housing and insurance coverage for owners of all dogs
6. Create a membership club of sorts made up of like minded people who have friendly, well behaved dogs that can spread the message that there are a lot of dogs out there who had rough starts in life, but never lost their good temperaments.

I've attempted to find an established group that offers these things in my area, but I don't think there are any.  If there are, their visibility is very low.  That means, if I can't find them, not many other people can either. 

This area is saturated with rescues that pull from shelters and adopt out dogs.  We really don't need another one.  But we do need the things I listed above, and I just don't know how to go about making it happen.

Of course I'll continue to think about it. I'll figure out some of the logistics, but not all of them. Where do I go from here?  I honestly do know.  What I do know is that if it's meant to happen, it will. I just need to put my thinking cap on and problem solve, be patient, and have faith in myself.