Edited sentence: A significant number of animals that are sheltered come from people who obtain their pets from pet stores or backyard breeders.Additionally, running a non-profit animal shelter requires good business practices and skills.Animal Welfare groups and volunteers are attempting to change that point of view by educating owners and potential owners about the lifelong commitment involved in adopting an animal, how to be a responsible pet owner, about the large number of adoptable animals available at shelters, and about the often poor condition of pet shop pets.If an organization chooses to qualify for 501(c)(3) non-profit status, there are certain criteria outlined by the Internal Revenue Service (United States) which must be met.Millions of pets are taken to shelters or abandoned when they get ill, old or are otherwise unwanted.The best method of determining if one has the capability to run an animal shelter is to volunteer their time at a local Humane Society or shelter facility.There are many resources available to assist in establishing an animal shelter, sanctuary or animal foster home.These organizations can be found through local yellow pages or a search on the Internet using your state or city name followed by "humane society" or "animal shelter"