Move to Baja California and start a non-profit animal rescue?

Question

I would like to move to Baja California and start a non-profit animal rescue but I really have no clue how to get started. I have worked in the non profit sector for many years but only for established organizations based in the United States. I am familar with the visa requirements for living in Mexico (I am a US citizen) but I am uncertain how to get started with moving there, finding a place to live, renting a facility to run the non-profit from, starting the non-profit, getting grants or funding, getting local support from residents, vets, etc... the list goes on! I would appreciate any insight that anyone could provide. Thank you!

Answer 1

You will want to talk to Sunny Benedict, director of the Baja Animal Sanctuary. She has 400 dogs and 300 cats last count...its a no-kill shelter.

website is   www.bajaanimalsanctuary.org

Good luck its a noble enterprise.

Answer 2

You are awesome!!! Thank you so much!!! We really need that here in Mexico!!... Good luck!

Answer 3

First of all, congratulations and thanks for having such a noble and wonderful idea!!! Then, wow there are too many questions, but let's try :o)

Moving to Mexico I'd recommend you to go to your nearest consulate or embassy to ask for help regarding documents to be able to ship your stuff without paying taxes or paying as less as possible.

Finding a place to live, nowadays with internet everything is easier, you can search for real state and the name of the city and use a broker such as Century 21 for example.

Another idea is for you to rent a furnished studio for a month or so and then while you are already in town look for a place to rent in the area of the city of your preference, this also applies for the facility building. This will save you the fee of the broker and allow you to choose whatever you like by actually looking at the place.

As for stablishing a non-profit organization, it requires lots of documents to prove that you are really non profit, because sadly what happened is some people stablish this kind of org without being actually non-profit but solely for the purpose of not paying taxes. Go to a good accounting firm in town (you can find several on the yellow pages) to get advice.

Local support.... mmmm... you could ask at a Rotary club, at the Bishop's office, at a local newspaper, local universities and schools, for general public's support. For more specialized one, I'm attaching the national organization of collegues and associations of vets webpage.

Best of lucks!