You might want to investigate the possibility of setting up a charity or a non-profit organizational structure for your rescue operation. This way you would be able to accept donations from people even if they can't take a pet and you would also be able to write some of your expenses off on your taxes. I am not sure what it would take in Tennessee to do this, but if you are going to consult a lawyer (as Wayne suggested) you can add this question to the list. This might also help with legal and insurance issues.

Cheryl