mar586, Have you considered working with a local (or national) pet store? They love the press they can get and their press might help your cause.   By the way... it's a GREAT idea! Keep up the good work ;-)

The first thing you need to do to start a non-profit is to obtain non-profit status from the IRS. You can find information on the IRS web site at irs.gov The process is time-consuming and can be expensive and you may need the assistance of an attorney. Since you apparently have little money to spend on such matters, you might look for an attorney who would help file the paperwork as a donation. Once you have non-profit status, you can begin receiving tax-deductible contributions of money and pet food from the public. You may want to begin writing your business plan so you and your friends have all the information you will need to prepare the non-profit application. You may also want to get acquainted with the staff at your local humane society. That will allow you to determine the areas of greatest need that your business can help serve and such a partnership should benefit both you and the humane society, as well as the abandoned and vulnerable pets in your area.

Did you try to surf the Internet for sponsors. When you do so it's important that you specify the right keyword / keyphrase in Google to find sponsors for you pet business. Once you're started and you got something going you will need a website with a PayPal donation button to get private sponsors and you will need Internet Marketing for your small business so it can grow bigger and attract more sponsors. This is the way I would go. ---This post was edited to remove a commercial link. Read our discussion policies for more Community best practices.

mar586, Take a look at our 10 steps to starting a Business and some information on non-profits. JimD

You should check with your county's Public Health Department for more information about proper business practices. You may want to visit the FDA's Pet Food page and the Animal and Veterinary page for additional information.