Safe Dogs By The River is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) Non Profit Holistic Rescue, Outreach & Education and Emergency Response & Transport Organization providing mobile animal services, serving pets & people in marginalized communities including, but not limited to, veteran, senior and homeless communities and those affected by disaster.
We want to revolutionize the way animals are rescued from a human centered to an animal centered construct, where the animal and community needs are a top priority, not live release rates. We want to honestly address the needs of the animals in a manner that suits them and supports their success prior to being placed for adoption. Maybe you can be a part of the revolution, read on to learn more.
• We rescue animals but do not warehouse them. We see them as individuals with different needs. We put great emphasis on species appropriate behaviors, feeding, enrichment and communication. Attention to diet, emotional health, behavior modification and basic training comprise our holistic approach (reasonable adoption fees help support our Mission).
• We are experienced in disaster & emergency response (we are Hurricane Katrina refugees!), long or short distance animal transport (paid transports help support our Mission) and we are certified in Animal First Aid & CPR. We have extensive veterinary experience, both holistic and conventional, and we have a veterinarian on our Board.
• As professional trainers, and veteran rescuers, we offer FREE educational classes using the latest scientific research to promote relationship based, trauma, pain and fear free, trust based methods, as well as community education options such as an informative and engaging PowerPoint presentation entitled “What Is My Dog Saying,” explaining how to read dog body language, which we offer at various places where vulnerable dog owners may congregate and we can be booked for presentations as well (paid presentations and private clients help support our Mission).
• Our pilot mobile based rescue system sets up pets for the best possible outcomes. Our mobile system incorporates socialization to a whole new level and drastically increases positive outcomes of resilient, optimistic and confident dogs that are wonderful additions to their communities. We are able to adjust and adapt to the needs of the animals in our care. All of our adoptions come with behavior support for their lifetime.
• We give priority to underfunded, rural, open admission shelters and special needs animals, such as senior, blind, deaf or limb amputees, in an effort to reduce the number of animals euthanized in these situations due to lack of shelter resources. This pilot program may include such options as spending time with a small shelter to train staff and volunteers, work directly with some of the more vulnerable pets in shelters, or pull vulnerable pets into our Rescue (we plan to offer this program for no cost the first year, and thereafter for a fee to help support our Mission).
• We deliver food, supplies, medications and offer limited medical transport for pets in need with owners that do not or cannot drive.
