The Heartbreaking Crisis in Animal Rescue: How You Can Make a Difference

The world of animal rescue is in crisis. Post-COVID, we are witnessing a devastating, overwhelming, overcrowding of shelters, particularly in the South. These high-kill shelters are overrun, and rescue organizations like us are fighting against time, trying to save lives that shouldn’t be lost. The truth is stark: we simply don’t have enough space, resources, or hands to keep up.

A Crisis of Overcrowding

In shelters across the country, the situation is critical. Shelters that used to have room are now completely full. Dogs are being euthanized at alarming rates in high-kill shelters, particularly in southern states where overpopulation has always been a battle. We are trying our hardest to pull as many dogs as we can from these high-kill shelters, but the reality is, we cannot do it alone.

No dog should ever be euthanize due to lack of space, but that is the unfortunate reality right now in many shelters. This is a tragic and unnecessary loss, but it paints a sobering picture of the harsh reality we’re dealing with daily.

Be Part of the Solution: Fostering and Volunteering

If you are looking for ways to help, consider fostering or volunteering. As a 100% foster based organization, we can only save as many dogs as we have fosters. Fostering saves lives—it’s that simple. Every dog in foster care opens up space for another dog to be rescued from a high-kill shelter. Foster homes offer dogs a loving environment where you can help a dog blossom into a happy, healthy companion, preparing the dog for their forever home. If you love dogs but can’t commit long-term, fostering is the perfect solution.

We are run by our volunteers, and every single person can make a huge difference. Helping at events, handling a dog at transport, assisting with application processing or even with administrative tasks frees up more resources to save lives. Every little bit counts.

No Time to Volunteer? You Can Still Help

We know not everyone has time to foster or volunteer, but if your heart is still in the cause, you can make a difference with a donation. The cost of vet care, transport, and supplies is skyrocketing, and without consistent funding, many dogs who could be saved may not get that chance. We rely on the generosity of supporters to cover the costs of pulling dogs from high-kill shelters, providing medical care and foster supplies, and preparing them for adoption. Every dollar counts—whether it’s $5 or $500, your contribution can mean the difference between life and death for a dog in need.

A Call to Action: This is Our Crisis to Solve

We’re in the middle of an animal welfare crisis, and it’s heartbreaking. But together, we can make a difference. Whether it’s choosing to adopt and commit fully, fostering a dog in need, volunteering your time, or donating, there are so many ways you can help.

We urge you to take action—because every dog matters. If we don’t stand up for them, who will? Let’s not just watch this crisis unfold. Let’s be part of the solution.

Until they all have a home…

When you welcome a foster dog into your home, all of your family members need to be on board, including the four legged family members. For our Volunteer Spotlight this month we’d like to feature some of our foster families’ resident dogs. While having your own dog is not a requirement for fostering, a resident dog can play an integral role in helping a foster dog become acclimated to family life.

There is a saying in the rescue world that dogs sometimes need to learn how to be a dog. When living on the streets or in a shelter, dogs learn different life skills than those used to living in a household with humans. Dogs learn to be dogs through a combination of observation, repetition, and teaching from their owners and other dogs, and that’s why these foster sibling relationships can be so valuable.

When asked, many of our fosters stated that their dogs are great at teaching basic manners like sharing beds, toys, and bones. Alumna Darla has turned into an awesome foster sister. She welcomes all into her home and crate with open paws. She shares all her toys and shows all of her foster siblings how great it is to be part of a family!

Likewise, Sydney was a wonderful foster sister to all of the fosters her family has had over the years. She was always happy to share her bed and toys. Cody’s mom says he is a great foster brother and is happy to share his toys and bones and loves to play with the fosters!

Learning to play means feeling safe enough to let your guard down. Remus’s mom describes how he is very good at realizing when a new foster needs space, and letting the scared ones decide when to interact, and when they’re ready he shows them how to play. “Fosters learn a lot just watching him. Seeing that he is not nervous or afraid of something helps them be more curious.”

Dogs are social learners and are naturally inclined to observe and imitate other dogs. Zuzu, another TLC alumna, is an excellent foster sister to the puppies her family brings home. She is good about giving them space to settle but as soon as they’re ready, it’s play time! She shows them how to navigate doorways and steps confidently, and most importantly, how to have fun. She’s a good snuggler too!

Emily is also excellent at helping her foster siblings during training. Her mom says she is so patient she sometimes gets walked on by her foster siblings during training. Oops!

Loki, who has helped raise 19 fosters, is his family’s rock when it comes to training and helping guide other dogs in the household, especially when it comes to helping fosters navigate respectful interactions with the family’s outside farm animals.

Not all dogs are willing to be teachers, and some may be selective of who is brought home. Emmy’s mom says that as she ages she gets cranky and selective, except with puppies. “Although it limits who we can help with - seeing her doing her thing with the babies makes us amazingly proud of her!”

Similarly, Guinness doesn’t always love the puppies, but he has come a long way with his tolerance for his foster siblings “for an old man.” Harley does not like to share his toys and bones, but he teaches his foster siblings about respecting another dog’s space.

We are thankful to all of the humans and canines who open their homes to fostering and prepare our dogs to be great companions. We can’t do what we do without them.

Do you think you’re ready to open your home and heart to a foster dog? Check out our website to learn more!

Bonded pairs and senior dogs often present a unique challenge to rescues, as potential adopters may feel hesitant about taking in two pets at once or an older dog. Yet both bonded pairs and senior dogs can offer a special type of joy that might be just what you are looking for.

Adopting bonded pairs of dogs offers a unique and heartwarming opportunity to welcome double the love into your home. These dogs share a deep connection, often developed over years of companionship, and adopting them together means they can continue their lives with the comfort of each other’s presence.

For bonded senior dogs, this companionship becomes even more essential, as they rely on the familiarity and support of one another in their golden years. Senior dogs, whether part of a bonded pair or on their own, bring calm, gentle personalities that make them ideal companions for those seeking a more relaxed pet experience. Choosing to adopt bonded senior pairs is not only rewarding for the adopter but also gives these often-overlooked dogs a well-deserved second chance at a happy life together.

Pearl and Shadow are a devoted bonded pair who were both adopted from TLC several years ago and are looking for a new forever home after a family illness caused them to be returned to TLC. Having only known life together, these two best friends offer double the companionship and love. Pearl, a sweet senior at almost 9 years old, has a gentle disposition and adores being around people, especially when she’s getting petted. Her adorable overbite and love for lounging in the yard give her a charm all her own, and she is happiest when she is with her sister Shadow. Shadow, at 6.5 years, is equally affectionate, happily resting her head on your lap for attention and enjoying the company of people of all ages. With a moderate energy level, Shadow is well-behaved and full of love to give. Pearl and Shadow would be thrilled to find a home where they can stay together, bringing warmth and joy to their forever family.

Sweet Pea and Zena, our other bonded pair, are miniature schnauzers who have been with TLC since March. These sweet girls were rescued from a commercial breeding facility in Mississippi and share a deep, comforting bond that has helped them adjust to life outside of the breeding world. Sweet Pea, at 9 years old, has a relaxed and happy demeanor, quickly adapting to new environments and enjoying quiet companionship. She’s friendly with new people but prefers a calm setting, especially with adults or older children, and delights in lounging, snuggling, and a bit of outdoor time. Zena, who is 7, is more timid and relies on Sweet Pea’s presence to feel safe. She slowly warms up to new people, showing her affectionate, snuggly side once she’s comfortable. Zena enjoys lounging on her dog bed or in her crate, with the occasional playtime with stuffed toys. Both are dog and cat friendly, and they would thrive in a low-key environment without small children where they can soak up all the love and security they deserve.

Please consider opening your hearts to one of our bonded pairs! By choosing to adopt bonded pairs of senior dogs, you not only enrich your life with the love and companionship of two loyal friends but also provide these deserving animals with the safe, nurturing home they need to thrive in their twilight years.

Taking great photos of dogs with a phone camera can be both fun and challenging. Here are some tips to help you capture the best shots:

1. Use Natural Light: Whenever possible, use natural light. Early morning or late afternoon light is ideal, as it is softer and less harsh. Avoid using the flash as it can cause red-eye and startle your dog.

2. Focus on the Eyes: The eyes are often the most expressive part of your dog. Make sure they are in sharp focus to capture their personality and emotions.

3. Engage with Your Dog: Use toys, treats, or sounds to get your dog's attention. This can help capture their curiosity and playful expressions.

4. Portrait Mode: If your phone has a portrait mode, use it to blur the background and make your dog stand out more. This mode can create a professional-looking photo with depth.

5. Capture Action Shots: If your dog is active, try capturing them in motion. Use a faster shutter speed if your phone camera allows, or simply try to time your shots well to freeze their movement.

6. Use Props: Adding props like toys, bandanas, or even seasonal decorations can make your photos more interesting and fun.

7. Experiment with Angles: Don't be afraid to try different angles and perspectives. Sometimes, an unexpected angle can lead to a unique and captivating photo.

GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. Choose to give early or wait to find out more about this global day of giving!

We hope you keep us in mind as you plan your end-of-year giving!