a question about starting a rescue

[Sammys_Mom]

I have a question about starting up a rescue, and I thought this would be the perfect place to ask.

DH and I are trying to figure out how much room a dog rescue would need. We've got 8 acres, 2-3 of which are in the front around the house, but we've got 3 pretty decent sized pastures out back. He's been debating about starting up a business in the furthest pasture from the house, so most of that is out of the question.

I've got an idea of a building that would be needed, but the part that has me somewhat stumped is the size of run area that would be needed. I guess I should say, before I go too much further, that I'm hoping to have it a lab and rotti rescue and start off with up to 5 dogs. We do have a "puddle" in the back section that DH wants to have his business if/when he starts it, and would be no good to him. I'm wondering how wise it would be to have that "puddle" as a swimming hole for the dogs in the rescue (by puddle I'm talking about 40-80ft around and deepest point is about 6-7ft). Of course it would be fenced off separately for the dogs safety.

As for the funding of the rescue, I'm planning on having another business within the rescue so that the business will absorb some costs and open me up to having access to more government grants.

I know there's other things that I should be thinking about for it as well, so any and all advice/ideas/suggestions are very much appreciated.