We are a relatively small foster-based rescue group. We got started in rescue through a general love for animals and by coming across a dog that lived outside in a pen (in rural Minnesota). I was told that the owners probably did not want the dog. I met the dog myself and he was very desperate for human attention. I approached the owners several days later via a phone call and told them I had heard they might not want the dog, (from a neighbor) and I said, that I was aware of some rescues in MN and I could probably get the dog to rescue to find a home for him. I had not been connected with rescues prior to learning about this dog, but I started googling and researching rescues in MN and contacting them to ask if they could take this dog in. Almost every rescue I contacted told me there were too full, but one said they could take him in if he was neutered. I decided that, if the owner turned him over to me, I would get him neutered and vaccinated, etc. The owner surprisingly said yes, "sure I could take the dog." They knew he needed a better life, he had come to them as a stray and they kind of took him in.
So I made a vet appointment, drove out and got the dog and got him vetted, and made an arrangement to meet the rescue that took him in at the time (Homeward Bound) and I started volunteering with them, helping at their adoption events. I was able to be at an adoption event when this dog "Max" was getting adopted by a couple who had a fence and another dog. We kept in touch, I got to see what a beautiful life Max got to have, all because I decided to take some action. I kept volunteering with HB and other rescues for approximately 8 or so years and then gradually began the origins of RRR.
We have many volunteer foster homes, we have a Cat Coordinator and Office Manager, we have transport volunteers we work with and other kinds of temp volunteers. We are always looking for more volunteers, especially foster homes! We take in animals with sometimes more complex medical issues, that heretofore have never been addressed, so we always appreciate donations!
We do this because our eyes were opened to the vast amount of animals (more so in the southern states) that are in pounds and shelters and at constant risk of euthanization, homelessness or neglect (a life outside on a chain or in a pen). I learned from other rescues that if you put in the effort you can find these animals good homes. I always felt it was up to humans to make that difference since humans are mostly the reason they are subject to these dead-end situations they end up in. There are many wonderful homes that make all the difference to an animal that otherwise would face an early demise or a life of neglect.
