Adoption & Rescue Information
Learn where to find local adoption resources, online adoption options, and how you can help animals in need, even if you can't adopt at this time. The links below are for general information about rescue and adoption, success stories, and rescue organizations that work with more than one species. For species-specific adoption information, please click on the "More Categories" links.
Online Pet Adoption Guide: Dogs, Cats, Senior and Exotic Pets
Are you considering adopting a pet? Learn what type of pet is best for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Find photos and information online about adoptable pets in your area. What if you aren't ready to adopt at this time but want to help animals in need? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this online adoption article.
Are you considering adopting a pet? Learn what type of pet is best for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Find photos and information online about adoptable pets in your area. What if you aren't ready to adopt at this time but want to help animals in need? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this online adoption article.
Sophie the Dog: adoption update - 6 years later
This is the follow-up story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, 6 years post-adoption. Other than turning a deaf ear from time to time or chewing something she shouldn't, she is a very good dog, and very much a part of our family.
This is the follow-up story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, 6 years post-adoption. Other than turning a deaf ear from time to time or chewing something she shouldn't, she is a very good dog, and very much a part of our family.
Sophie the Velcro Dog - Dealing With Separation Anxiety - Part III
This is the story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, Part III. Four months after adopting Sophie, we are still dealing with mild separation anxiety. Read about this common behavioral problem, and what I did to help reduce this clingy behavior in Sophie.
This is the story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, Part III. Four months after adopting Sophie, we are still dealing with mild separation anxiety. Read about this common behavioral problem, and what I did to help reduce this clingy behavior in Sophie.
Sophie the Dog: My Personal Story of Pet Shelter Adoption - Part II
This is the story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, Part II. Four months after adopting Sophie from the Shelter, the "real" Sophie emerges. How did she fit in to our human and animal family?
This is the story of the shelter adoption of my dog, Sophie, Part II. Four months after adopting Sophie from the Shelter, the "real" Sophie emerges. How did she fit in to our human and animal family?
Sophie the Dog: My Personal Story of Pet Shelter Adoption
I wanted to help animals in need and decided to donate some pet food to my local shelter. I have to be honest... I was a little intimidated by the thought. I have, of course, worked with shelters and rescue animals over the years, and quite frankly, it can be depressing. Too many animals. Too few homes. So I sent my husband on this errand. Mission accomplished. Or was it?
I wanted to help animals in need and decided to donate some pet food to my local shelter. I have to be honest... I was a little intimidated by the thought. I have, of course, worked with shelters and rescue animals over the years, and quite frankly, it can be depressing. Too many animals. Too few homes. So I sent my husband on this errand. Mission accomplished. Or was it?
Spay Day 2007 - The Results Are In!
Each February the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) promotes Spay Day, a campaign to promote the spaying and neutering pets and creating awareness of the problem of pet overpopulation. This year, see how many animals were spayed/neutered, how much money was raised for the surgeries and how many people were helped by this campain.
Each February the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) promotes Spay Day, a campaign to promote the spaying and neutering pets and creating awareness of the problem of pet overpopulation. This year, see how many animals were spayed/neutered, how much money was raised for the surgeries and how many people were helped by this campain.
Find Many Ways to Participate in Spay Day USA
SpayDay USA is held each year in February to promote awareness about the serious pet overpopulation problem in the United States. In addition to sharing information about pet overpopuplation, responsible pet ownership and the health benefits of neutering your animal (spay or castration surgery), Spay Day promotes several avenues for low-cost surgery options so no one is left out.
SpayDay USA is held each year in February to promote awareness about the serious pet overpopulation problem in the United States. In addition to sharing information about pet overpopuplation, responsible pet ownership and the health benefits of neutering your animal (spay or castration surgery), Spay Day promotes several avenues for low-cost surgery options so no one is left out.
Pet Rescue and Adoption: Rescue Cat Qualifies for Delta Society Pet Partners
Sarah A. Grim, owner of City Kitty Pet-Sitting Service LLC, Columbia, MO, and Casper, a white Persian, became the 165th cat team registered as a Delta Society Pet-Partner following their successful evaluation in Overland Park, KS, on November 12, 2005. Pet Partners, a service arm of the Delta Society, bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interactions to people in a variety of settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Sarah A. Grim, owner of City Kitty Pet-Sitting Service LLC, Columbia, MO, and Casper, a white Persian, became the 165th cat team registered as a Delta Society Pet-Partner following their successful evaluation in Overland Park, KS, on November 12, 2005. Pet Partners, a service arm of the Delta Society, bring the physical and emotional benefits of human-animal interactions to people in a variety of settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Viewer Viewpoint - Opinion Piece: Q & A About Paws / Combating Myths
What is the PAWS legislation? How will it affect animal rescue groups? Learn more about this legislation, how it may affect you, and what you can do to help, in this opinion piece by author Jim Willis.
What is the PAWS legislation? How will it affect animal rescue groups? Learn more about this legislation, how it may affect you, and what you can do to help, in this opinion piece by author Jim Willis.
A Puppy for Christmas - by author Jim Willis
From Jim Willis: I get sad at this time every year when I hear people talking about their plans to purchase a pet from a petshop or backyard breeder. I wrote this a couple of years ago hoping to educate the public. I still haven't given up, but the public is still buying animals and from all the wrong sources.
From Jim Willis: I get sad at this time every year when I hear people talking about their plans to purchase a pet from a petshop or backyard breeder. I wrote this a couple of years ago hoping to educate the public. I still haven't given up, but the public is still buying animals and from all the wrong sources.
Animal Hoarding
It may start out innocently enough, rescuing animals in need, but then the situation soon becomes a case of filth and neglect for the animals "rescued". This is a farily common situation for people involved in animal rescue, helping adopt out the overcrowded and neglected pets of an animal collector. Learn about the pyschiatric condition of animal hoarding.
It may start out innocently enough, rescuing animals in need, but then the situation soon becomes a case of filth and neglect for the animals "rescued". This is a farily common situation for people involved in animal rescue, helping adopt out the overcrowded and neglected pets of an animal collector. Learn about the pyschiatric condition of animal hoarding.
Burnout: When Rescuers Need Rescuing
Excellent article by Melissa Kaplan. This article is geared toward reptile rescue and rehab, but good points to consider for all who work in the rescue and adoption field.
Excellent article by Melissa Kaplan. This article is geared toward reptile rescue and rehab, but good points to consider for all who work in the rescue and adoption field.
Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary
A rescue and sanctuary for farm animals, since most anti-cruely laws do not apply to farm animals. A little bit of everything here, from horses to cows to pigs to companion pets. Located in the Salt Lake City Utah area.
A rescue and sanctuary for farm animals, since most anti-cruely laws do not apply to farm animals. A little bit of everything here, from horses to cows to pigs to companion pets. Located in the Salt Lake City Utah area.
Farm Sanctuary Rescue & Refuge
With farms in California (300 acre) and New York state (175 acre), this organization provides rescue, rehabilitation and care for farm animals coast-to-coast. They care for "food animals" that have been victims of abuse and neglect: cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, and rabbits.
With farms in California (300 acre) and New York state (175 acre), this organization provides rescue, rehabilitation and care for farm animals coast-to-coast. They care for "food animals" that have been victims of abuse and neglect: cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, goats, sheep, ducks, geese, and rabbits.
Free to a Good Home?
You may think that you are doing the "best thing" for your pet that you are no longer able to care for, but here are some thoughts that others may have when they read that ad.
You may think that you are doing the "best thing" for your pet that you are no longer able to care for, but here are some thoughts that others may have when they read that ad.
Free to a Good Home - The Truth by Jim Willis
Forward by author Jim Willis. A very informative page directed to people who think "free to a good home" is the way to go for disposing of their pets.
Forward by author Jim Willis. A very informative page directed to people who think "free to a good home" is the way to go for disposing of their pets.
Online Adoption Overview
From your About.com guide -- the pet overpopulation problem, why adoption is so important, and where to get started searching online for a pet to adopt.
From your About.com guide -- the pet overpopulation problem, why adoption is so important, and where to get started searching online for a pet to adopt.
Mossburn Animal Centre - Multi species animal rescue
This is a heartwarming and fun site! This organization fosters perhaps the largest variety of animals, including, but not limited to: horses and ponies, pigs, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs, iguanas, sheep, cows, raccoons. You can foster an animal online quickly and easily. The About Us link has some great 360 degree views of the farm.
This is a heartwarming and fun site! This organization fosters perhaps the largest variety of animals, including, but not limited to: horses and ponies, pigs, goats, rabbits and guinea pigs, iguanas, sheep, cows, raccoons. You can foster an animal online quickly and easily. The About Us link has some great 360 degree views of the farm.
Pets 911
A very comprehensive site to "Find, Adopt, or Help a Pet Where You Live", presented by Animal Planet. Enter in your zip code and click the navigation links to find information on local adoption, rescues, emergency clinics, veterinarians, and spay and neuter clinics. I tried this out for my zip code, and found a large database of information for my location.
A very comprehensive site to "Find, Adopt, or Help a Pet Where You Live", presented by Animal Planet. Enter in your zip code and click the navigation links to find information on local adoption, rescues, emergency clinics, veterinarians, and spay and neuter clinics. I tried this out for my zip code, and found a large database of information for my location.
Save-A-Pet
1-800-Save-A-Pet.com is a fun, user-friendly site dedicated to animal rescue and adoption. It is a non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, and pet rescue groups advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.
1-800-Save-A-Pet.com is a fun, user-friendly site dedicated to animal rescue and adoption. It is a non-profit pet adoption charity that helps shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, and pet rescue groups advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free.
Viewer Viewpoint: An Adopted Dog Changed our Lives
Viewer Cheryl L. Anderson shares her story about "Buggy" -- a Rottweiler adopted into a much better home than he was previously at. This is the story of Buggy's life after adoption, and how he touched his owner's life over the years.
Viewer Cheryl L. Anderson shares her story about "Buggy" -- a Rottweiler adopted into a much better home than he was previously at. This is the story of Buggy's life after adoption, and how he touched his owner's life over the years.
Viewer Viewpoint - Adoption Success - Kornflake the Dog
A viewer shares her story of pet adoption, and the joy that an adopted pet can bring. This is the story of "Kornflake" and later on, the addition of "SugarPop".
A viewer shares her story of pet adoption, and the joy that an adopted pet can bring. This is the story of "Kornflake" and later on, the addition of "SugarPop".
Viewer Viewpoint - "Where's Daddy's Baby?"
Author Jim Willis was one of the first contributing authors on this site and has contributed an incredible library of animal stories and poems over the years. He is also a well known animal rights and rescue worker. On the one year anniversary of a tragic house fire that killed 14 of his pets, Jim Willis writes a tribute to friends lost that day.
Author Jim Willis was one of the first contributing authors on this site and has contributed an incredible library of animal stories and poems over the years. He is also a well known animal rights and rescue worker. On the one year anniversary of a tragic house fire that killed 14 of his pets, Jim Willis writes a tribute to friends lost that day.
Viewer Viewpoint - How Could You?
Known the world over, an emotional poem from the viewpoint of an animal surrendered at a shelter, by author Jim Willis.
Known the world over, an emotional poem from the viewpoint of an animal surrendered at a shelter, by author Jim Willis.
Viewer Viewpoint - Stolen Maltese Recovered in Brooklyn, NY
A viewer from Brooklyn, New York shares this harrowing story of her dog's theft and eventual recovery from the streets of New York.
A viewer from Brooklyn, New York shares this harrowing story of her dog's theft and eventual recovery from the streets of New York.
Viewer Viewpoint - You Weren't The One I Wanted
Poem about pet adoption, by author Jim Willis.
Poem about pet adoption, by author Jim Willis.
Hurricane Charley's Animal Victims - August 2004
And update and description of the local damage due to Hurricane Charley from Veterinary Medicine viewer Jodi Witte. Many animals are homeless and in need of help and donations.
And update and description of the local damage due to Hurricane Charley from Veterinary Medicine viewer Jodi Witte. Many animals are homeless and in need of help and donations.
The Viewer Viewpoint: Great Dane Graces Our Lives
Stories of animal neglect, abuse, and abandonment are a daily occurrence in the news these days. This article, like most of the Viewer Viewpoint articles, offers a bright side -- animals given a new lease on life thanks to the kindness of those people who have adopted. Read Cicely's story to be reminded of the power of pet adoption.
Stories of animal neglect, abuse, and abandonment are a daily occurrence in the news these days. This article, like most of the Viewer Viewpoint articles, offers a bright side -- animals given a new lease on life thanks to the kindness of those people who have adopted. Read Cicely's story to be reminded of the power of pet adoption.
The Viewer Viewpoint: Wuffy, the Cat Rescuing Dog
Read about Wuffy the amazing rescue dog in this Viewer Viewpoint article. This dog was rescued/adopted 11 years ago. That in itself is a happy story. What's more, Wuffy has worked for over 10 years rescuing abandoned cats! Learn about her work with the with Southern California Siamese (cat) Rescue in this success story article.
Read about Wuffy the amazing rescue dog in this Viewer Viewpoint article. This dog was rescued/adopted 11 years ago. That in itself is a happy story. What's more, Wuffy has worked for over 10 years rescuing abandoned cats! Learn about her work with the with Southern California Siamese (cat) Rescue in this success story article.