Shelter vs. Rescue: What’s the Difference?
Like any industry, when it comes to animal services, there are some concepts that are commonly misunderstood. One of the most prevalent misunderstood concepts is the difference between a rescue and a shelter.
Shelter vs. Rescue … What’s the Difference?
Simply put, an animal rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. Animal rescue groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused or stray pets and work to find them suitable homes. Many rescue groups are created by and run by volunteers, who take pets into their homes and care for them until a suitable forever home can be found. These volunteers train the pets, play with them, manage their medical issues, solve behavior problems and more. They’re heroes!
Animal shelters are a bit different. A municipal animal shelter houses stray and abandoned animals, as well as pets that people can no longer care for, on behalf of local governments. A no-kill shelter is a specific, usually private, organization which specifies that no healthy, pet-worthy animal can be euthanized.
Hear our Executive Director, Christie, explain the difference between the two:
What is Karma Cat + Zen Dog?
We are proud to be an animal rescue organization!
Through the help of our leadership and animal care volunteers, board members, donations, and grants, we are able to operate our foster, spay/neuter, trap-neuter-return, and education programs to further our mission. We are an entirely volunteer-run, New Jersey-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our mission is to provide a safe and peaceful haven for homeless, abandoned or abused animals. We will help decrease the number of cats and dogs being destroyed in kill shelters through the work of our foster, spay/neuter, trap-neuter-return, and education programs.
Our vision is a world where every companion animal is respected, fed, warm, happy, and not in danger of being killed because it is temporarily homeless.
Click here to learn more about us, our volunteer opportunities and our adoptable animals!
My neighbor used to feed the local stray cats. She has moved and some of the cats have taken a liking to my property. We do not feed them. Some are very friendly, and try ciming into the house when the door is opened.! One has been successful running in and straight to ourncars food bowl. He wasn’t very happy when he was picked up and put back outside. They are about 6 months old. And would make great pets. What is the procedure to get them homes?
Hi Janet, thank you for reaching out! I would reach out to a local animal rescue organization and see how they can help you. Depending on the situation, they may be able to take the cats in, or they may be able to assist in a trap-neuter-release program. Good luck!
I have so many dogs that my life is now inslaved by them.My Lab had her first babies about 4 yrs ago.I couldn’t get anyone to take one so I have still got four of them.The girl got out and pregnant while I was away and had 6 babies .they are 4 months old and another had babies shortly after 5pupd that are 2 months old.Thwy are all adorable but no one will take them and I just cannot put them down it makes me so upset bc I can’t chamg my situation.One of the four older dogs was part yellow and part black full labs and he looks just like Bethoven.Ive been praying for an answer do you have any suggestions.I cry everyday and agonize at night what to do.Im on social security and it is a bit costly.please es nd advice.Thank you. M K Gray
Hi Martha – oh my, what a situation! We definitely recommend reaching out to a local rescue for help – at the very least to get these dogs spayed so the problem stops multiplying!
I am very overwhelmed by rescue that tag me to pull a dog out of Oklahoma you mean to say I never received a foster agreement or any type of protocol I was told by the rescue owner if I wanted to save the dog I have to adopt him to save him two days after having the dog I had to take him to the emergency vet due to coughing really hard hacking I contacted the rescue stating that he needed to go to the vet the owner of the rescue
OK so we take him to the vet at 11:30 at night I was told by the rescue owner that it just must be kennel cop only and not an emergency after the dog was seen by the as a veterinarian we were told he had an enlarged heart you too heart worms I contacted the rescue to state the issues that were going on and that we needed to take care of the vet bill as well as other veterinarian bills
By the rescue that was on us as far as the bill the rescue is not taking any responsibility in any manner regarding veterinarian bills food
Is there anything that I can do because we do wanna adopt him but there is a clause in the contract stating that they have full ownership of the dog and upon signing the contract we will be responsible for all vet bills now is that fair and the rescue is stating that is their dog and strong arming me to sign a contract that has flaws in it due to his heart worms he is unable to get neutered at this time and it states that he hast to be neutered within a certain period of time the rescue required a letter stating this the veterinarianA document saving that
Unfortunately we aren’t experts in situations like this. We would encourage you to try to get on the phone with the manager/director of the rescue to try to figure out the next steps.