While the circumstances surrounding how a dog becomes a “rescue dog” can vary, as do the opinions of the actual definition, what is most often agreed upon is that a rescue dog is such that would be otherwise homeless, abandoned or in dire condition and is in need of outside help to take them into foster care and find them a new home and family. The term “rescue dog” can also refer to owner-surrendered dogs who are living with families that are no longer able to care for them.

A high-kill shelter is one where stray dogs usual face what is called a “stray hold” in order to give it’s owner time to claim it, but this is typically a very short period of time. When the allotted time period is exceeded, if the dog is deemed by the shelter staff to be unadoptable (for reasons such as it is too young/too old, facing costly medical or behavioral issues, breed specific prejudices, too many of the same breed in the shelter, or he/she is not handling the shelter environment well and is scared or depressed) the dog then faces the risk of euthanization.

If the dog is deemed suitable to enter general adoption, he/she still has very little time, if the shelter is one in which euthanasia is prevalent. If the dog is stressed in the shelter and is sad, cowering or shut down, he/she may only have a few days for a rescue like Save Me to step up and help. Often times, there are wonderful rescue volunteers an shelter workers who publish lists of these dogs on a weekly basis and distribute them to reputable/quality rescues like ours. This is one of the ways we are able to rescue dogs that are in immediate danger. Save Me Rescue’s philosophy is to always save dogs that need our aid the most urgently.

Save Me Rescue is not against responsible breeders. Responsible breeders do not breed mixes, do not inbreed or over-breed families blood lines and adhere to and promote healthy breed standards, including good temperaments. Responsible breeders have little need to advertise, typically screen potential families as much as we do and usually have waiting lists of approved homes for every puppy in every litter because they only breed their dogs every couple of years. No responsible breeder ever makes their living from breeding dogs; it is a highly involved and expensive passion for them.

That being said, rescues are sometimes deluged with dogs and puppies from irresponsible breeders. These “breeders” can include cruel and greedy puppy millers who sell puppies online and ship them to homes they know little to nothing about. Often these dogs are not spayed/neutered thus increasing the chances of future litters and as such, dogs who will eventually end up in shelters. They also supply pet stores who sell these inherently unhealthy inbred puppies to the uneducated public at a huge profit.

Save Me Rescue also takes issue with backyard Breeders. These are people who have breeding dogs in their homes, which are not well cared for and bred strictly for primary or supplementary income, rather than promotion of that particular breed.

If you are looking to rehome your dog, please never offer it as “Free to a Good Home” as this is the most common way for animal abusers, dog flippers (those who take free dogs by pretending to be a good home, and then sell them) and others with very bad intentions to obtain free animals. Your dog/puppy (or cat/kitten) could end up as bait for intentions for illegal dog fighting rings, in a puppy mill or with a backyard breeder (if you haven’t had him/her spayed/neutered), in a medical lab for vivisection/research, or harmed by sick individuals.

Your animal has his/her best chance with you, a family member or friend. If you must surrender the animal, make sure it is to a no-kill shelter or a reputable rescue group, and be honest about the health and behavioral issues of the dog.