How to Select a Rescue

Thousands of rescues exist around the country to help needy animals find their way into loving homes. Whether you want to adopt, foster, donate or volunteer, finding a rescue that's a "good fit" makes the entire experience enjoyable and fun.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Locating Potential Rescues

1. Identify why you need a rescue: do you want to adopt? Or foster? Volunteer? What species do you want to work with?

2. Identify how far you can go. If you want to volunteer, you may be able to assist an organization out of your area (or even out of your state) via the internet. If you want to adopt or foster, you'll need to find a rescue that works in your area.

3. Search the internet for rescues in your area and check the phone book.

4. Talk to your veterinarian, trainer, and other professionals for their recommendations. Ask the local humane society and animal control officers what rescue(s) they work with and recommend.

5. Review potential rescue's websites. Read over their mission and policies.

Talk to Potential Rescues

6. Call or email the rescue. Explain your needs and what you are looking for. Be upfront and honest - if you need a horse for your child to ride, let the rescue know. If you are hoping to volunteer an hour or two each month, let the rescue know. Don't over-exaggerate your abilities, time, or skills.

7. Ask the rescue about their mission and policies.

8. If you want to make a tax-deductible donation, ask the rescue to provide a copy of their IRS determination letter. This grants the organization its 501c3 status, making donations tax-deductible.

9. Ask about the rescue's history. How long have they existed? How many animals have they taken in? How many have they placed into adoptive homes? Where do their animals come from?

10. Ask for a copy of the rescue's 990. This is the document they submit to the IRS to show where their money comes from and where it goes. If they don't have a 990, ask for a copy of their most recent financial statement.

11. Ask for a list of references, including the name and contact info for the rescue's veterinarian. Talk to the references and find out about their experience with the rescue and their impression of the care the animals at the rescue receive.

Schedule a Visit

12. While at the facility, ask to see the animals.

13. Look at the animals' over-all condition. Are they healthy? Are those who aren't healthy receiving proper care? Do they look happy and relaxed?

14. Look at the facility. Is it clean and in good repair?

15. Talk to staff and volunteers. Are they friendly? Do they enjoy their job? Do they have the training they need?

16. If the rescue doesn't have a facility but instead uses foster homes, ask to talk to some of the foster homes. Ask about their experience with the rescue.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've screened rescues and found one you feel comfortable with, enjoy your time helping animals.
• When you contact a rescue, be patient. Many are staffed by volunteers, so it may take them a few days, even a week, to get back to you.
• Not all rescues are created the same - that's why it is important to carefully screen potential rescues.
• Good rescues are happy to answer questions. If the rescue is evasive, you should be concerned.

Resources

• Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society