Welcome to the rewarding world of pet rescue!
Pet rescue is a growing private grassroots movement to rehome unwanted or abandoned
companion animals. Volunteers working in organized groups or as individuals
help take the load off animal shelters and lower euthanasia rates by providing
foster homes, medical care, and placement services for homeless pets.
Rescue services exist for most common pet animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits,
birds, reptiles, horses, potbellied pigs, and even some farm animals. Most rescue
volunteers are specialists, concentrating their energy and expertise on particular
breeds or types of pets. Most dog rescue services, for example, specialize in
one breed of dog.
Reputable rescue services provide:
- foster care for adoptable pets until suitable new homes can be found
- pre-adoption medical care such as spaying or neutering, vaccinations and
treatment of injuries or illnesses.
- temperament testing to ensure the animal is appropriate for placement in
a new home and to match it with an adopter that's well-suited for it.
- follow-up and support after placement for the lifetime of the animal.
If you're looking for a new pet and can be flexible in your choice of age,
sex, color, and personality, adopting from a rescue service can be an excellent
way to go!
If you'd like to become involved in rescue as a volunteer, there are many ways
to help. Rescue services are always in need of qualified foster homes, groomers,
trainers, home-checkers, people to provide transportation, run errands, or help
with fundraising and advertising.
NAIA and rescue
From its inception in 1993, NAIA has championed the rescue of purebred and
mixed breed dogs and has worked with shelters and animal control agencies to
improve the relationship between rescue groups and these animal welfare organizations
and help with fundraising and pet adoptions. More
on NAIA rescue history.
NAIA continues to hail the work of breed-specific and species-specific rescue
groups and encourages others to become involved in this grass-roots animal welfare
effort. Help is needed throughout the system -those who cannot foster dogs can
perhaps
- evaluate dogs at shelters
- raise money to provide for dogs in foster care
- groom dogs
- transport dogs to and from veterinary appointments
- transport dogs to and from foster homes or to new owners
- collect equipment and supplies to help with care of fostered dogs
- host rescue booths at various shows and events
- donate money
The NAIA website provides these resources for rescue
Rescue policy
Basic rules of ethical rescue
NAIA rescue columns by Vicki
DeGruy of Chow Chow Rescue
Outside rescue resources
AKC breed club rescue contacts
Kyler Laird's
animal rescue resources
Avian
rescue and adoption groups
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