Animal Rescue of the week

Andrew Knight is a Professor of Animal Welfare and Ethics, and the founding director of the University of Winchester Centre for Animal Welfare.

Bluegrass Bully Rescue, INC is a non-profit, volunteer dog rescue organization serving the Central Kentucky area. They are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason- dogs in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, dogs given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect. They place dogs in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a dog into their homes and lives. It is all about the dogs.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is a volunteer-powered, foster-based dog and cat rescue in the Washington, DC metro area. They saved over 16,000 animals since their founding in 2009 but have had to alter almost all of their programs since the start of COVID and are continuing to work with more rural, high kill shelters around the US. Previously relying on their weekend adoption events and averaging a monthly transport number of 100-150 animals from our partners — They have since gone completely virtual and have managed to save / commit to nearly 700 dogs and cats from just March 16th to May 2nd. That's 3-5x their average. They have successfully placed over 600 of them in adoptive homes as well. It's been an unbelievable problem to have as well with the number of foster and adoption applications outweighing the actual number of dogs and cats they have available but they are thrilled to be able to continue to help shelters in need!

DivaPets Cat Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based cat rescue serving the greater Kansas City Metro. They are a group of crazy cat ladies dedicated to making a difference in the lives of our feline friends. Because they are foster-based, they can focus on ensuring the best match of kitty and home. They had significant growth in the last two years with the number of foster homes which means they are able to help more kitties. They have completed 109 adoptions since January 1st, 2020. They have been doing adoptions by appointment since the COVID lockdown and have adopted almost all of the kitties who have been in their care! They are ready for kitten season!

Columbus Dog Connection is a 501c3, limited admission dog and cat rescue organization, formed in 1998. They are a network of dog enthusiasts who rescue all breeds of dogs and cats. They promote all rescues & shelters in Ohio and be in dogged pursuit of saving every adoptable dog until dogs/cats are no longer euthanized for lack of space. They operate a high quality, aggressive, statewide mobile spay/neuter service, targeting areas with high animal population and low spay/neuter resources. They also offer a low-cost vaccine clinic on the first Saturday of the month. All dogs/cats that wish to take advantage of their low-cost services must be spayed/neutered to attend. Every dog that leaves their care is spayed/neutered, including 8-week old pups. They believe that allowing a pup to leave their care not spayed/neutered would perpetuate the problem, they work so hard to overcome every day. Non-official mission: To go out of business because our services are no longer needed. They often hear a chuckle or wishful thinking comment when they say this, and they say this often, but if they don’t believe they could end the problem of overpopulation, they have no business asking anyone to believe in them… much less to give us even one of their hard-earned dollars.

Charlie's Wish Animal Rescue was established to honor Laura's first pit bull, Charlie, who was badly abused by his owner. He was later dumped by the person and tied outside without food and water. He was extremely emaciated when she adopted him from the shelter. Charlie had head trauma which prevented him from eating properly. She had to soak his food with water for him. Charlie died 3 years after Laura had him for his old injury. She established the rescue next year to honor him and to remind herself that there are many other dogs that are just like him and need our help. They usually take dogs that other rescues don't want. Their medical expenses can't be covered by adoption fees and donations. She constantly pays the bills out of her own pocket. But seeing them being transformed into happy and healthy dogs and have a loving family is priceless. Because of the financial burden, she has to keep this rescue very small. Her mission is keeping dogs "out of harm's way, one dog at a time." She can't save all dogs but the dogs in her hands will receive good care. That's what she does.

Love-A-Bull is a registered 501c3 nonprofit in Austin, Texas. Started over eleven years ago, their mission is to promote responsible guardianship and improve the image and lives of pit bull-type dogs through community support, education, advocacy, and rescue. They offer a myriad of programs including adoptions, vaccination clinics, canine therapy, and training, to name a few. Their events include everything from educational opportunities to happy hours and puppy yoga. In 2010 they broke the world record for most pit bulls ever gathered in one place by hosting a pit bull parade with over 3000 four-legged attendees.

Mew Cat Rescue is a foster-based rescue assisting Benton County, Arkansas. They match their adoptable cats with their new forever home and promote and assist in TNR services. They started on 3/19/19 just around a year ago, and they had almost 400 adoptions the first year! They are dipping their toes in therapy cats and have a killer social media team!

Ten Lives Cat Rescue was founded in February 2018 with a mission to save homeless, abused, and abandoned cats. They are dedicated to giving second chances to those who have been forgotten: seniors, the physically & emotionally scarred, the behaviorally challenged, and those who need critical medical care. Ten Lives was started after its two co-founders saw a desperate need to help cats that were often deemed unadoptable or failed by the traditional shelter model. The "Forgotten Feline" program was developed to help this population of cats get the chance they deserve. They are a foster-based program that is 100% volunteer-powered. Since accepting the first cat into their program in May 2018, Ten Lives has rescued 464 cats from dire and desperate situations, provided exceptional veterinary care, socialization, and rehabilitation through their foster program, and has adopted 378 of those cats into loving homes. In 2019, Ten Lives was voted RI Monthly's Best Rescue/Shelter!

Wags and Wiggles Rescue is a nonprofit organization that promotes animal advocacy through community education and involvement. They have recently opened their very first adoption center and they hope this will double the amount of lives that they save annually. They rescue dogs locally and from the south.

Hope Cat Rescue is a licensed RI cat rescue and federal 501C3 nonprofit organization that focuses on the front line on location target trapping of street cats in need. This could be pregnant, sick, injured, kittens, or the trap neuter/spay return of feral colony cats. The organization consists of only one trapper, Nathan Campagna from Warwick, RI. They work within a large network of cat rescuers consisting of private rescues and shelters as well as municipal shelters and animal control. When we all work together we can get a lot done.

Scarlet Oak Farms was founded in 2018 by a couple of animal advocates in Ayden, North Carolina after learning the harsh realities of shelter adoptions and that their area was inundated with stray and relinquished animals. By partnering with local shelters, Scarlet Oak Farms formed to rescue as many homeless and stray animals as possible. With their network of volunteer advocates, veterinarians, and donors; Scarlet Oak Farms is able to rescue numerous animals in their area every year.

Sweet Paws Rescue (SPR) is a registered non-profit animal rescue based in Massachusetts. They are a grassroots, boots-on-the-ground, shelterless, foster-based and volunteer-powered organization. They primarily work within two of the poorest counties in Mississippi and Alabama and since 2011, they have rescued over 10,000 dogs and cats that would not have a chance at life otherwise. They are also a New England resource for the abandoned, surrendered and displaced, and animals seized in cruelty cases within their home state.

Al’s Angels Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3), no-kill dog rescue, located in Oak Hill WV. AAAR was founded by Fallyn Wakefield in July of 2017 and has since then, taken in countless animals in need from the community as well as from area shelters. They are a small group of four volunteers who work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of as many animals as we possibly can. Currently, their rescue is 100% foster-based, however, the goal is to one day be able to purchase a facility so that we may be able to help more animals in need as well as expand our services to the community.

God's Feral Felines did not start out as an organization. In October 2013, a few friends got together to fix a colony of about 45 cats at a local Walmart. They were actually pawning jewelry to pay the vet. That morphed into God's Feral Felines. December 31, 2013, they became a non-profit in the state of Alabama and in 2014 they received their 501(c)3. They started out as strictly a TNR organization. When they received a 3K private donation they asked the donor if they could use that to help low-income households get their cats fixed. They started offering lower cost spays and neuters for low-income families. In 2016, a PetSmart opened in neighboring city Albertville. The manager, David Van Sleet, contacted them about being an adoption partner and so their kitten rescue program was born. In late 2019, Dr. Brown, a local veterinarian, gave them the opportunity to lease out his old vet office and now they are in the process of opening a kitten rescue shelter. The grand opening is 4-4-2020. 2019 was their highest amount yet for cats fixed. Among all 3 programs they spayed and neutered 646 cats. Since their inception through the end of 2019, they have fixed 2682 cats/kittens.

Westie Rescue has been in existence for going on 26 years and has helped over 1,200 Westie find just the right home where they get a second chance at a great new life with open arms to hold them and a warm bed to sleep in. Who is Westie Rescue MidAtlantic? Westie Rescue USA/Westie Rescue MidAtlantic is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization incorporated in the Common-wealth of Virginia. The organization is dedicated to assisting West Highland White Terriers needing rescue from neglect or abuse or assistance in finding new homes. We primarily cover the Greater Washington DC area, including Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and the District of Columbia, parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They also support or participate in rescue efforts elsewhere in the United States. Our volunteers have been involved in rescue over 30 years and, during that time, have taken in and placed over 1,100 Westies. Westie Rescue MidAtlantic operates totally on donations from the public, which go to pay the expenses [including medical care] of the dogs and few administrative costs of finding potential adoptive homes and record keeping. There is no full-time staff. Volunteers receive no compensation except for receipts of out of pocket expenses directly related to rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption of Westies in the program. Each year, they place 40-60 Westies. Some are in excellent health; some are far from it. Although most are around 5 years old, the ages of the dogs range from 8 weeks to 12 years. Westie Rescue is a complex business because there are many steps in transferring a dog from a bad situation to loving care that will last a lifetime. Westie Rescue MidAtlantic helps homeless Westies through Pickup and Transportation Medical Care and Rehabilitation Temporary Fostering Placement and Adoption Public Awareness Participation in national rescue efforts Westie Rescue MidAtlantic’s rescue program includes fostering of each dog in a volunteer’s home and providing it with veterinary care including neutering or spaying and rehabilitation as well as caring interaction with humans. When the Westie is ready for adoption, rescue volunteers interview adoption candidates to determine which home will be best for that particular dog. They are in the business of making a dog’s dream come true rather than fulfilling human desires. Their adoption success rate has been 98% year over year in finding the right match the first time. Through annual events they stay close to our adopted Westies and their families, providing post-adoption assistance and advice to adoptive homes. At Westie Rescue MidAtlantic, they motto is “Truly, second hand dogs do make first rate pets!”

Cooper’s Companions Animal Rescue is a foster-based rescue located in Southern Colorado. Cooper’s takes in owner surrenders as well as working with high kill shelters. All of their dogs are spayed/ neutered, microchipped and have age-appropriate vaccinations.

Hope Fur Paws Rescue is a new 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue. In their first year, they have adopted out over 60 dogs and 30 cats. They rely on donations to get everyone spayed, neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, treat any ailments, and put these furbabies on heartworm prevention. They find loving homes through Petfinder, Facebook, and our website. Their mission is to help as many animals as we can feel what love is. Watching them go to their fur-ever homes is the best reward!

2DaRescue is an all-breed 501c3 dog rescue dedicated to saving the lives of dogs suffering in the county shelters, streets, as well as those surrendered by their owners prior to being brought to the shelter. Aside from rescuing dogs, they rehabilitate them medically and behaviourally. Dogs are carefully checked by their vets and provide them with everything they need to be successfully placed into an appropriate home.

Carolina Tiger Rescue is the only federally accredited and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accredited in North Carolina. They are currently home to 50 animals including 17 tigers. Many of their animals have come from private owners when they became too dangerous, roadside zoos, or failing facilities. One of their tigers, Rajah, was found on the road outside of Charlotte, NC when he was 6 months old with another cub, back in 2005. He is just one of their many incredible and unbelievable animals they have rescued.

Knine Rescue Inc is a small non-profit 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to animal care and protection. They assist shelters and other rescues (both in their local community and beyond) by finding loving forever homes for neglected, abandoned and homeless animals. Their goal is to promote responsible animal ownership by educating the wider public on the importance of spay/neuter, positive training and pet health care.

Renegade Animal Welfare & Rescue was founded in 2018 and has since helped over 600 animals find their way out of shelters in Central and Northern California and into no-kill rescues all over the western US and even Canada! We work directly with our partner rescues who are thoroughly vetted to provide the best homes possible for some of the neediest animals. We take in a large percentage of senior animals and animals with medical issues, such as mange or injuries requiring surgery. RAWR also started the first $5 shot clinic in our area, offering vaccines for dogs, cats, and microchips for only $5. Our goal is to continue to bring low-cost initiatives to our area to help low-income families to be good pet parents, as well as continuing to rescue the neediest of animals.

Orphan Kitten Club is on a mission to end the killing of neonatal kittens–and to give every kitten a chance at a full and happy life. They are building a safer world for the tiniest felines by rescuing them in their state-of-the-art kitten nursery, ending the cycle of reproduction through sterilization, and providing the world’s first grant program targeted at saving neonatal kittens.

Zeus’ Rescue was opened by Michelle, a passionate, dedicated animal rescuer who will go to any lengths to save animals. Zeus’ Rescue was the branch off from Zeus’ Place (boarding and grooming) which was opened to help support Michelle’s rescue habits. From driving around in a bus after hurricane Katrina hit to flying a plane to Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria, Michelle goes over and beyond to rescue animals in need! She has made it her mission to not only save animals but to help the people of her community know of the importance of animal welfare.

The Arizona Small Dog Rescue (AZSDR) is a nonprofit organization on a mission to save as many lives as possible. They rescue small dogs who are on the list to be euthanized in other shelters by bringing them to their facility. While caring for the dogs they bring in they make it a point to provide any medical care needed as well as socializing them to better help their chances of getting adopted. AZSDR believes that they are the middle ground from being homeless to finding a forever home, they are the stepping stone to find that loving, forever family.

No Feline Left Behind is a non-profit organization improving the lives of stray, abandoned and feral felines by educating, advocating and direct hands-on care through TNR, fostering and adoption. They encourage everyone to aid in their daunting efforts of an unending task to curb feline overpopulation.  "A Community Saving a Colony" is their slogan as colony caretakers are vital to the survival of many strays.

Animal Rescue of the Rockies is a nonprofit organization located in Colorado. Since its opening in 2003, they have helped find loving homes for over 10,000 animals. Their mission is to provide rescue, behavioral and adoption services for homeless pets as well as work towards a nationwide goal of ensuring a happy, healthy home for every pet. ARR also works closely with other rescue groups in Colorado to help with transporting, fostering and adoptions whenever they can.

Barktown Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization located in Boston, Kentucky. Seeing a need in their community, two volunteers first got their start working with Nelson County Animal Control to send dogs to rescues all over the country. Even with their best efforts, hundreds of adoptable dogs were being euthanized every year in Nelson County. The two realized the most effective way to make a difference in their community was to start their own rescue, and from there Barktown Rescue was founded in August 2009. They have recently marked a special milestone this year when the 3500th Barktown dog was adopted.

Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides a safe haven for animals with no other home or shelter. They prepare animals for adoption by providing respite, rehabilitation, and socialization. Hallie Hill has over 30 acres of land with large enclosures for dogs to live and play. This organization helps Charleston to achieve the status of a No-Kill Community by working with local shelters and rescues to take in dogs that might not get adopted due to age, medical or behavioral issues.

The Midsouth Animal Welfare Foundation is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers and was founded in 2017 in NE Mississippi. This organization works very hard to reduce the number of litters in their community by offering a low-cost spay and neuter clinic once a week in Corinth, MS. All the proceeds from performing surgeries help fund their future mobile clinic. They have set a goal for themselves this year, to raise $75,000 to purchase a mobile unit that will allow them to provide low-cost spay and neuter services to underserved areas.

Long Island Rabbit Rescue Group is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization on Long Island, New York. They make it their mission to rescue rabbits in need whether from abuse, neglect or abandonment. Along with showing them love and care they also give medical treatment as needed as well as spay or neuter them. Everyone involved with the rescue is dedicated to bringing attention to rabbits by educating the public on the special care and health needs of domestic rabbits so they can better care for their companions.

Paddy’s Paws believes in “Rescue Done Right!” Since beginning in late 2014, and officially becoming a nonprofit organization in November of 2015, Paddy’s Paws has helped over 2,500 dogs find forever homes. The main focus is to find good homes, for good dogs, with good people. There are many reasons why Paddy’s Paws is unique. They provide animal education to local youth and create countless community outreach opportunities. Paddy’s Paws is more than just a rescue... They are a family. Always available to support adopters throughout the entire process.

One Step Closer Animal Rescue, Inc. in Sparta, New Jersey, is a non-profit rescue organization that saves dogs and cats from desperate situations. They rescue pets from overcrowded shelters where animals are euthanized due to lack of space. O.S.C.A.R. cares for these pets and gives them the loving care they deserve while ensuring that they receive the proper veterinary attention, vaccinations, and that the animals are spayed/neutered. In addition, O.S.C.A.R helps the local community with strays, re-homing animals, intake of NJSPCA abuse cases, and TNR (trap neuter release on feral cats).

Connecting the lives of horses and people since 2002. New Mexico Horse Rescue at Walkin N Circles Ranch, Inc. is a non-profit equine rescue located in Stanley, New Mexico. They are passionate about horses and work tirelessly to rehabilitate and find homes for abandoned, abused, and neglected horses. The ranch is governed by a board of directors who oversees day-to-day operations with the assistance of an on-site caretaker and the help of more than 100 volunteers. The Ranch team volunteers their experience, skills, talents and time to care for horses, maintain the facilities and fund the ranch.

Kindness Ranch is a 1000 acre ranch nestled among the rolling hills of Hartville, Wyoming and is the only sanctuary in the US that takes in all kinds of research animals. Their mission is to provide a sanctuary and place of rehabilitation for animals who have previously been used in laboratory research, working to rehabilitate dogs and cats in a home-like environment.

Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue is committed to 'Helping His Helpless' through quality care and healing, adoptions, and population control awareness. Their mission is to provide shelter and loving care for animals who have been abused, abandoned, owner surrendered or otherwise destined to be euthanized due to overcrowded shelter conditions. At no time shall they be euthanized due to time constraints, medical need or other issues. Through the use of foster homes, Proverbs will provide loving care for our animals, to include veterinary care, food and any other necessity until responsible, loving homes can be found for all adoptable pets.

Pug Pals Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing and placing Pugs in “forever homes” primarily in Boise and the Treasure Valley, but extending to the Pacific Northwest. They are an organization completely run by volunteers and all Pugs are placed in foster homes until loving forever homes can be found. They rescue all Pugs regardless of medical needs and do their best to provide for them within limited resources.

Meridian Canine Rescue is a non-profit, no-kill canine rescue dedicated to giving homeless and owner surrendered dogs a second chance. They have both a facility and a network of foster homes, several staff members, great business partnerships, and a whole bunch of awesome volunteers — all of which help to care for dogs in need. The MCR strongly believes that no dog should walk alone that is why they strive to provide a safe environment and exceptional quality of life for their dogs.

Friends of Rowlett Animals is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that started in 2004. They are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of homeless animals. It is the organization’s mission to come to the aid of homeless pets in Rowlett and the surrounding communities, create community awareness about the plight of these animals, educate the public, enrich the lives of these pets while they are being sheltered in the community, and end the killing of pets in need.

KA’A’AWA K-9 Rescue is a non-profit organization incorporated in 2016 that seeks to rescue, rehabilitate, & rehome dogs in need on the island of Oahu, specifically focusing on the Windward side of the island. Their commitment to reducing the rate of canine overpopulation is a major goal for the long-term welfare of their closest animal companions. They believe and live by the motto, ‘People Saving Dogs Saving People’.

Third Coast Animal Rescue is a 501(3)c, all-volunteer rescue based in the Mobile Bay area, serving the greater Gulf Coast areas of the Florida panhandle, Alabama and Mississippi.  They are dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned, neglected and at-risk dogs, and re-homing them permanently. The dogs they take in primarily come from high-kill shelters in Mobile, Baldwin, and Escambia counties. 

Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League as a No-Kill, has multiple programs to help homeless animals in need of care and love, as well as those humans who value and love companion animals.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, founded in 2007, is a non-profit organization located in Asheville, North Carolina. Their mission is to provide the resources and life-saving programs to build No-Kill communities.

Clear Creek Cat Rescue was originally founded to help find homes for the Mat-Su Animal Shelter’s cat population. Gradually they have expanded to cover a broader portion of the state and to take in cats that are strays or otherwise homeless.

The Furry Friends Foster and Rescue, Inc. brings dogs into their rescue primarily from municipal Connecticut pounds.  When space is available in the rescue, they also help dogs whose families are unable to continue to care for them for a variety of reasons. When considering rescuing a dog who resides with a private family (owner surrender) they first meet the dog and evaluate him/her to make sure they have the ability to meet the dog’s needs and secondly to find an appropriate foster home for the dog.

Pet FBI is a free online database for all 50 states including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands where pet owners can search and ask for advice in finding their beloved pet. Through their database and social media platforms, volunteers will quickly respond and answer your messages and offer advice on how to find your pet.  Their statistics show that only 17-30% of dogs and only 2% of cats are recovered through shelters. Nothing is 100% guaranteed, but if trying another tool from your toolbox could get your beloved pet home safe and sooner - isn’t it worth trying?

Pet Angels Rescue in Guthrie, Oklahoma is making a difference in as many lives as possible. They have placed thousands of dogs, hundreds of cats, a few birds, bunnies, ferrets, chinchillas, and fully grown potbelly pigs. The volunteers at the Pet Angels Rescue make things possible and they are always taking in new volunteers to help more and more animals find forever homes. They are dedicated to the sheltering and placement of animals and public education of animal care and dedicated to bringing people and animals together to enrich each other's lives.

One Tail At A Time was started when Heather, the co-Founder & President visited the Chicago Animal Care & Control for the first time. At that time they were euthanizing more than 13,000 animals. She knew she had to be part of the solution and started OTAT the very next year! Experiencing consistent and steady growth from the community for the last 11 years has allowed them to build a physical location and grow a robust transport program in which dogs are continuously rescued from the southern states.

To get Little Woof Small Dog Rescue started they sold home baked dog cookies at a local farmer’s market to raise the funds to pay for our 501c3 certificate and a thousand dollar vet bill for Finney, their first rescue dog. Every year since then they have increased the number of dogs they save. They have saved 53 dogs so far this year with a total of 246 dogs saved since they started in 2015. On June 9th they received an appreciation award for their continued support of Vermont Paws and Boots by donating dogs to their service dog program.

Wolf Point Pound Puppies, started with just 3 people when they recognized just how many strays their community had. In just 6 years they’ve been able to save 2,600 dogs and about 600 cats and in 2019 they’ve saved 244 dogs along with 84 cats. They do this by building & maintaining relationships with other organizations and working to understand the needs in their community. The love and support from not only their families, friends and volunteers but several communities in Montana make saving lives that much easier.