Millions of animals aren’t given the chance to thrive. They end up in abusive homes, and many others get forced into dog fighting or medical experiments. Animals are powerless to change their lives for the better. They need rescue groups to swoop in and carry them to safety. Only then can a neglected animal experience true companionship.

When you come face-to-face with a rescue pet, their eyes say it all. They’ve seen countless atrocities on the streets and behind closed doors at puppy mills. Future pet parents should learn where their rescue pups came from so they can spread awareness about such unspeakable conditions.

Rescue organizations witness firsthand the negative consequences of not spaying or neutering pets. Shelters and rescue agencies are overrun with neglected fur babies desperate for a home. All too many pets end up in rescues because owners didn’t take the time to spay/neuter their cats and dogs. In an effort to save future pets from this fate, rescue organizations typically pay for the medical procedure before each animal gets adopted.

Making our first contact in the Pacific Northwest, Rescue the Rescues reached Kitsap Humane Society based in Silverdale, Washington. They depend upon the kindness and generosity of its community to find homes for homeless pets. 

In our own backyard this time, we had the pleasure to finally connect with VOKRA (Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association). This time we got to make the donation in person to our fellow Vancouverites! Their awesome staff were so kind as to offer us a tour of their extensive facility including a shelter with specific areas for different cats’ needs and state-of-the-art- medical facilities.

Adopting a shelter dog isn’t as easy as filling out the paperwork and bringing the pup home. Future pet parents must be absolutely certain they’re adopting the right pup at the right time.

Heading back East, we connected with SAVE Animal Shelter in Princeton, New Jersey. The SAVE shelter facility has the capacity to house upwards of 100 animals at a time, and they have become the region's model animal welfare organization.

You know you want to adopt a pet. What you don’t know is how much it’s going to cost when all is said and done. Adoption is definitely cheaper than buying a pet from the store or a breeder, but future pet parents should still have an idea of how much money to save up.

Community Animal Rescue Effort is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization with a mission to serve the communities of Chicago's North Shore by fostering and supporting healthy, positive relationships between people and companion animals. C.A.R.E. rehomes companion pets into safe, healthy, lifelong homes; serves as an educational and counseling resource; and works to reduce pet overpopulation.