My general understanding is they do not purchase animails but they are brought to the shelter by persons no longer able to care for a pet or a relative who had a pet dies or humane officers remove pets from abused situations or are found as strays most time a history about the said animal is available to some extent I commend you for you expressed commitment to resue animals and wish you well in your efforts i suggest you line up voluteers to help you and contact other organizations for particulars of running such shelters best wishes and thank you for your question

Their animals come from people who can't keep their pets, or from strays. No they don't buy them..

I've always wanted to open my own non-profit rescue shelter for animals. Before I start planing I want to know everything so I can have an idea on where to go and what to do. Could anybody please tell me where they find there animals at? Is it mainly donations, do they purchase them, I just need help. Thanks!