When you hear the term “rescue dog,” you might imagine a canine wearing a cape saving you from peril. Exactly what IS a “rescue dog”? At North Shore Animal League America, we like to refer to rescue dogs and cats as Mutt-i-grees: any dog, cat, puppy, or kitten who has been adopted into a responsible loving home, or is still waiting for that perfect family.
Where do rescue dogs come from?
Rescue dogs are homeless due to a variety of reasons.
They may have been surrendered by owners who could not care for them anymore, found on the street, or perhaps they were part of a litter born in a shelter. Animal League America also rescues dogs from puppy mills; these are often animals who would have been euthanized because they were determined no longer viable for breeding. Sometimes dogs are found after a natural disaster, when pets get separated from their owners, who then can’t be found.
