Animal Rescue Business Plan Template
If you want to start an animal rescue business or expand your current animal rescue business, you need a business plan.
The following Animal Rescue business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning Animal Rescue business plan. In addition to this template, a solid plan will also include market research to help you better understand the animal rescue industry, the competitive landscape and your target customers. It will also help you craft your mission statement, marketing plan and financial projections.
Animal Rescue Business Plan Example
I. Executive Summary
Business Overview
[Organization Name] is a new animal rescue shelter located in [Location]. Our mission is to ensure that every unowned cat and dog in the community is given a chance to get adopted into a loving home. We specifically rescue cats and dogs from other shelters who are scheduled to be euthanized. This gives these pets another chance at life while easing the burden of overwhelmed shelters. Our organization will be an essential component of the local pet industry, and we expect to save thousands of animals every year.
Services
[Organization Name] provides a temporary home for local cats and dogs who were scheduled to be euthanized at other local shelters. When each animal is rescued, they are spayed or neutered and then given a series of health tests to ensure they are in optimal health. They are then provided with food, toys, exercise, and daily care by our team of volunteers and shelter staff.
Potential adopters can come to the shelter by appointment to meet our animals and find the perfect pet for them. Once an adopter is ready to take a pet home, one of our staff will conduct an interview and background check on them. If the adopter passes this step, then the shelter will begin all the necessary arrangements to settle the animal into its new home.
Customer Focus
[Organization Name] will primarily serve the residents living in the community of [Location]. The demographics of these customers are as follows:
- 175,125 residents
- Average income of $75,200
- 61% married
- 55% in Management/Professional occupations
- 59% homeowners
- 40% with children under 18
- 43% pet ownership
- Median age: 39 years
[Location] is a community full of successful professionals and families. It is also a pet-friendly community with a high pet ownership rate. These demographics make [Location] the perfect community to establish an animal rescue center.
Management Team
[Organization Name] is led by [Founder’s Name] who has worked with animals her entire life. She worked as a veterinarian in a private clinic for the first ten years of her career before transitioning to caring for shelter animals. While she found the work rewarding, the shelter she worked at euthanized many animals because they were frequently over capacity. Her experience inspired her to start an animal rescue to give pets another chance and ease the burden of other shelters. After months of planning, she is ready to launch her pet rescue.
Success Factors
[Organization Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:
- The community has very few no-kill shelters despite the increasing demand for them. Many adopters will be drawn to our mission and will be eager to give our animals a second chance at a happy life.
- Local shelters resort to euthanization because they are overwhelmed beyond capacity. Many shelters will be eager to work with us, so they can free up more space.
- The management team has a track record of success in the animal rescue industry.
- [Founder’s Name] has connections with local veterinarians, pet stores, and other animal shelters. These connections will help us find animals that need saving as well as supplies to adequately care for each animal.
Financial Highlights
[Organization Name] is seeking a total funding of $350,000 of debt capital to open its animal rescue center. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and center build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:
- Rescue facility design/build: $100,000
- Vehicle purchase and maintenance: $75,000
- Veterinarian equipment and supplies: $50,000
- Animal care supplies: $25,000
- Working capital: $100,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Organization Name] reaches break-even
Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:
| Financial Summary | FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $560,401 | $782,152 | $1,069,331 | $1,379,434 | $1,699,644 |
| Total Expenses | $328,233 | $391,429 | $552,149 | $696,577 | $776,687 |
| EBITDA | $232,168 | $390,722 | $517,182 | $682,858 | $922,956 |
| Depreciation | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| EBIT | $225,168 | $383,722 | $510,182 | $675,858 | $915,956 |
| Interest | $6,016 | $5,264 | $4,512 | $3,760 | $3,008 |
| Pre Tax Income | $219,152 | $378,458 | $505,670 | $672,098 | $912,948 |
| Income Tax Expense | $76,703 | $132,460 | $176,985 | $235,234 | $319,532 |
| Net Income | $142,449 | $245,998 | $328,686 | $436,864 | $593,416 |
| Net Profit Margin | 25% | 31% | 31% | 32% | 35% |
II. Company Overview
Who is [Company Name]?
[Organization Name] is a new animal rescue shelter located in [Location]. The shelter is located in a prime spot that is easily accessible by car, public transportation, or foot.
Our mission is to ensure that every unowned cat and dog in the community is given a chance to get adopted into a loving home. We specifically rescue cats and dogs at other shelters who are scheduled to be euthanized. This gives these pets another chance at life while easing the burden of overwhelmed shelters. We do not take in strays or animals that are abandoned by their owners.
Our goal is to save several hundred animals every year. Our shelter capacity allows us to hold up to 50 animals at a time. Once we are established and have made a name for ourselves, we expect that many of our animal residents will not need to stay with us for long. We will hire a Chief Marketing Officer who will ensure the public is frequently updated with a current list of our shelter residents.
Once in our care, all animals will be spayed or neutered and given several health tests. We will not release a pet for adoption until we are sure they are in optimal health. All potential adopters will be subject to a background check and interview process before we allow them to adopt a pet. We will also charge an adoption fee to help cover the care costs of the pet and the operational costs of the shelter.
[Company Name]’s History
After surveying the local customer base, and finding a potential location, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Organization Name] as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on [Date of Incorporation].
Since incorporation, [Organization Name] has achieved the following milestones:
- Found a potential location and signed a Letter of Intent to lease it
- Developed the organization’s name, logo, social media accounts, and website located at [website]
- Determined equipment and fixture requirements
- Began recruiting key employees
[Company Name]’s Products/Services
[Organization Name] provides a temporary home for local cats and dogs who were scheduled to be euthanized at other local shelters. When each animal is rescued, they are spayed or neutered and then given a series of health tests and wellness checks to ensure they are in optimal health. Once we know they are healthy, we inform the public (through social media and our website) that the pet is available to adopt.
Each pet that stays with us is provided with daily food, toys, exercise, and care. [Organization Name] will enlist the help of several volunteers to care for the pets each day.
When someone comes to our shelter to adopt a pet, we introduce them to the particular pets that they are interested in. If they are eager to move the process forward, we conduct a background check and interview to make sure they will make good pet parents. When the process is clear, we begin all the necessary arrangements to transition the pet to its new home.
III. Industry Analysis
Pets have long been ideal companions for humans. This is exemplified in pet ownership rates, which have remained consistent for several decades. According to Forbes, about 66% of households own a pet.
However, many of these pets become strays or are abandoned. About six million animals are taken to shelters every year after being abandoned by their previous owners. This puts a great deal of strain on shelters, which often operate beyond capacity.
As such, the Animal Rescue industry is in high demand. Animal rescues take in pets that shelters do not have room for and give them a second chance. This means fewer animals are euthanized and that shelters have less strain on their resources. Animal rescues are often nonprofits and only earn enough money to keep their organizations running. However, high demand for these centers ensures they receive the funding they need to continue operations.
There are several other factors affecting the Animal Rescue industry. First, increased awareness of animal abandonment and euthanization rates has prompted thousands of people to adopt pets from rescue centers rather than breeders or regular shelters. The industry also benefits from increased annual per capita income increases since many people will not adopt pets until they can afford to do so. Finally, the rise in single-person households may continue to benefit animal rescues since people who live alone often adopt pets as a primary source of companionship. If these trends continue, the pet rescue industry is likely to remain strong.
IV. Customer Analysis
Demographic Profile of Target Market
[Organization Name] will serve the community residents of [Location] and its surrounding areas. The community has a high pet ownership rate and is pet-friendly. The community will greatly benefit from the addition of a new animal rescue shelter.
Customer Segmentation
[Organization Name] will target the following customer segments:
- Families: Families with young children are more likely to adopt pets than other demographics. We expect most of our shelter pets will go to happy, growing families.
- Young Adults: Single young adults are the second most likely segment to consider adopting a pet, we expect many of our adopters to be ages 25-35.
- Previous Pet Owners: Individuals who are already pet owners or have owned pets in the past are very likely to consider adopting again. Therefore, we will also market our animals to those who already have pets.
V. Competitive Analysis
Direct & Indirect Competitors
The following establishments are located within a ten-mile radius of [Organization Name], thus providing either direct or indirect competition:
Animal Rescue United
Animal Rescue United is a rescue shelter that saves exotic animals that are abandoned by their previous owners. The shelter restores these animals to health and returns them to their natural habitat, if possible. If not, the animals are sent to zoos, research centers, or other organizations that can care for the animals long term. Animal Rescue United will be a very minor competitor since they rarely take in cats or dogs.
[Location] Dog Rescue
[Location] Dog Rescue is a rescue shelter that commits to rescuing local dogs. They prioritize rescuing dogs from overburdened shelters, but also take in strays and abandoned dogs when possible. [Location] Dog Rescue has multiple locations and is a major presence in the local pet industry. They will be our biggest competitor.
Feline Heaven
Feline Heaven is a popular, high-end rescue shelter that rescues stray cats and abandoned kittens from all around [Location]. They house up to 100 cats at a time and send nearly 1000 off to good homes every year. While Feline Haven will continue to be a great rescue, it will only be a major competitor for adopters looking for cats.
Competitive Advantage
[Organization Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:
- Our Mission: [Organization Name] is a no-kill shelter that is determined to find homes for each pet that resides with us. We search for animals at other shelters that are scheduled for euthanization to give them a second chance at a happy life. Many adopters who are passionate about animal rights will prefer to adopt a pet from our shelter.
- Management: [Founder’s Name] has been extremely successful working in the pet rescue industry. Her experience has equipped her with the skills to run a successful animal rescue shelter of her own.
- Relationships: Having lived in the community for 25 years, [Founder’s Name] knows many of the local leaders, newspapers, shelters, veterinarians, and other influencers in the industry.
- Affordable Adoption Fees: We offer adoption fees that are moderate and affordable so that any good human can adopt one of our pets.
VI. Marketing Plan
The [Company Name] Brand
The [Organization Name] brand will focus on the organization’s unique value proposition:
- Passion for rescuing animals from euthanization
- Dedication to finding homes for each pet in our shelter
- Skilled team of animal care professionals
- High-end shelter with all the amenities a pet could need
- Friendly and knowledgeable staff
Promotions Strategy
[Organization Name] expects its target market to be residents living within a ten-mile radius of its location. The following are [Organization Name]’s promotions strategy to reach these individuals:
Website/SEO
[Organization Name] will develop a professional website that displays images of the shelter, photos of the pets that currently reside there, and a list of our services. It will also invest in SEO so that the organization’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.
Social Media
[Founder’s Name] will create the organization’s social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. The organization will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.
Direct Mail
[Organization Name] will blanket neighborhoods surrounding its locations with direct mail pieces. These pieces will offer discounts and/or provide other inducements for people to visit our shelter.
Local Publications
[Organization Name] will announce its opening several weeks in advance through publicity pieces in multiple local newspapers and publications. Advertisements will also run to maintain exposure to relevant markets. Community newspapers and similar channels will be a major promotion effort.
Ongoing Customer Communications
[Organization Name] will maintain a website and publish a monthly email newsletter to inform potential adopters about shelter updates and our current residents.
Publication Materials/Noticeboards
Posters and flyers will be posted on public notice boards. To target a more specific audience, [Organization Name] will also contact companies for permission to hand out flyers in their vicinity. These companies may include veterinarian offices and pet stores.
Pricing Strategy
[Organization Name] will price its adoption fees moderately to ensure adopters can afford to take home a wonderful pet. Adoption fees will be calculated by local averages and our organization’s operating costs.
VII. Operations Plan
Functional Roles
To execute [Organization Name]’s business model, the organization needs to perform many functions, including the following:
Administrative Functions
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing and social media management
- Website maintenance
- Hiring and training staff and volunteers
Animal Care Functions
- Wellness checks
- Vaccinations
- Microchipping
- Minor surgeries and procedures
- Play sessions
- Exercise sessions
- Daily feeding
Other Service Functions
- Find animals needing rescue
- Transport new animals to the shelter
- Show animals to interested adopters
- Run background checks
- General shelter maintenance
Milestones
The following are a series of steps that lead to our vision of long-term success. [Company Name] expects to achieve the following milestones in the following [xyz] months:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| [Date 1] | Finalize lease agreement |
| [Date 2] | Design and build out [Company Name] |
| [Date 3] | Hire and train initial staff |
| [Date 4] | Kickoff of promotional campaign |
| [Date 5] | Launch [Company Name] |
| [Date 6] | Reach break-even |
VIII. Management Team
Management Team Members
[Organization Name] is led by [Founder’s Name] who has worked with pets her entire life. She worked as a veterinarian in a private practice for the first ten years of her career before transitioning to caring for shelter animals. While she found the work rewarding, the shelter she worked at euthanized many animals because they were frequently over capacity. Her experience inspired her to start an animal rescue to give pets another chance and ease the burden of other shelters. After months of planning, she is ready to launch her animal rescue organization.
Though [Founder’s Name] has never run her own business before, she will hire several other staff to help her run the aspects of the business that she is unfamiliar with. Her experience working in veterinary clinics and other shelters has given her access to connections and partnerships that will benefit the organization.
Hiring Plan
[Founder’s Name] will be the CEO of [Organization Name] and handle most of the operations. To launch, the organization needs to hire the following staff:
- Veterinarians (1 to start)
- Veterinarian Technicians and Assistants (2 to start)
- Receptionists (2 to start)
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Accountants (1 to start)
- Executive Assistant (1 to start)
- Shelter Manager
- Shelter Assistant Managers (2 to start)
- Shelter Volunteers (4 to start)
IX. Financial Plan
Revenue and Cost Drivers
[Organization Name]’s revenues will come primarily from donations, fundraisers, and by applying for grants. We will also raise revenue by charging adoption fees.
The major cost drivers for the organization’s operation will consist of salaries, cost of supplies, marketing expenses, the lease, and overhead costs.
Capital Requirements and Use of Funds
[Organization Name] is seeking a total funding of $350,000 of debt capital to open its animal rescue center. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and center build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses, and working capital. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:
- Rescue facility design/build: $100,000
- Vehicle purchase and maintenance: $75,000
- Veterinarian equipment and supplies: $50,000
- Animal care supplies: $25,000
- Working capital: $100,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Organization Name] reaches break-even
Key Assumptions
The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:
5 Year Annual Income Statement
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | ||||||
| Product/Service A | $151,200 | $333,396 | $367,569 | $405,245 | $446,783 | |
| Product/Service B | $100,800 | $222,264 | $245,046 | $270,163 | $297,855 | |
| Total Revenues | $252,000 | $555,660 | $612,615 | $675,408 | $744,638 | |
| Expenses & Costs | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $57,960 | $122,245 | $122,523 | $128,328 | $134,035 | |
| Lease | $60,000 | $61,500 | $63,038 | $64,613 | $66,229 | |
| Marketing | $20,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
| Salaries | $133,890 | $204,030 | $224,943 | $236,190 | $248,000 | |
| Other Expenses | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 | $5,500 | |
| Total Expenses & Costs | $271,850 | $412,775 | $435,504 | $454,131 | $473,263 | |
| EBITDA | ($19,850) | $142,885 | $177,112 | $221,277 | $271,374 | |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | |
| EBIT | ($56,810) | $105,925 | $140,152 | $184,317 | $234,414 | |
| Interest | $23,621 | $20,668 | $17,716 | $14,763 | $11,810 | |
| PRE-TAX INCOME | ($80,431) | $85,257 | $122,436 | $169,554 | $222,604 | |
| Net Operating Loss | ($80,431) | ($80,431) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Income Tax Expense | $0 | $1,689 | $42,853 | $59,344 | $77,911 | |
| NET INCOME | ($80,431) | $83,568 | $79,583 | $110,210 | $144,693 | |
| Net Profit Margin (%) | - | 15.00% | 13.00% | 16.30% | 19.40% |
5 Year Annual Balance Sheet
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 | $392,389 | |
| Accounts receivable | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Inventory | $21,000 | $23,153 | $25,526 | $28,142 | $31,027 | |
| Total Current Assets | $37,710 | $113,340 | $184,482 | $286,712 | $423,416 | |
| Fixed assets | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $73,920 | $110,880 | $147,840 | $184,800 | |
| Net fixed assets | $209,490 | $172,530 | $135,570 | $98,610 | $61,650 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $247,200 | $285,870 | $320,052 | $385,322 | $485,066 | |
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | ||||||
| Debt | $317,971 | $272,546 | $227,122 | $181,698 | $136,273 | |
| Accounts payable | $9,660 | $10,187 | $10,210 | $10,694 | $11,170 | |
| Total Liabilities | $327,631 | $282,733 | $237,332 | $192,391 | $147,443 | |
| Share Capital | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Retained earnings | ($80,431) | $3,137 | $82,720 | $192,930 | $337,623 | |
| Total Equity | ($80,431) | $3,137 | $82,720 | $192,930 | $337,623 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $247,200 | $285,870 | $320,052 | $385,322 | $485,066 |
5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS | |||||
| Net Income (Loss) | ($80,431) | $83,568 | $79,583 | $110,210 | $144,693 |
| Change in working capital | ($11,340) | ($1,625) | ($2,350) | ($2,133) | ($2,409) |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 |
| Net Cash Flow from Operations | ($54,811) | $118,902 | $114,193 | $145,037 | $179,244 |
| CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS | |||||
| Investment | ($246,450) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Cash Flow from Investments | ($246,450) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING | |||||
| Cash from equity | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cash from debt | $317,971 | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) |
| Net Cash Flow from Financing | $317,971 | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) |
| SUMMARY | |||||
| Net Cash Flow | $16,710 | $73,478 | $68,769 | $99,613 | $133,819 |
| Cash at Beginning of Period | $0 | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 |
| Cash at End of Period | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 | $392,389 |
