About Us
VT Dog Rescue is a non profit canine rescue bringing dogs to Vermont from high kill shelters.
About
VT Dog Rescue does not have any paid employees. Our organization is run entirely by devoted volunteers who share their time and energy to make a positive difference in the lives of the dogs we rescue.
VT Dog Rescue is not like other rescues!
Our approach to the adoption process is friendly, warm, compassionate & understanding. We care about our dogs and we are thankful for our applicants. The adoption process is explained on this page.
With so many rescue organizations judging adopters, we strive to be the breath of fresh air, the rebels who rock the boat. A rescue with a heart and soul dedicated to placing homeless dogs in loving homes.
We work with local businesses to secure discounted prices for our adopters on dog related services such as grooming, training, boarding & daycare. Our volunteers create the handmade beds we send home with each dog and we provide useful resources in our Adoption Kits.
VT Dog Rescue saves dogs of all breeds at all ages from puppies to seniors. We can help you find the perfect dog for your family and we provide lifetime support for that pup.
How it works
Please note: We do not have dogs on site. Dogs are placed in local foster homes and are available to meet with adopters upon request.
VT Dog Rescue is a rescue organization - not a pet shop or a breeder. Although we help our local community with dogs in need, most of our dogs come from high kill shelters in the rural Southern states. In these areas, it's common for dogs to roam around town, fending for themselves day and night. Unfortunately, it's uncommon for the dogs to be spayed or neutered. This has led to an overpopulation of dogs. When the dogs are caught by animal control or turned in by owners or neighbors, they are brought into shelters. When the shelters run out of space, they euthanize to make room for new intakes.
This is where VT Dog Rescue comes in to help!
We work closely with volunteers at each shelter, get pictures and gather information about the dogs in their care. The dogs are evaluated to learn how they react to children, other dogs & cats, and temperament testing is completed. Instead of euthanizing a dog to free up kennel space, we offer rescue.
Once we have committed to rescuing a dog, we work hard to find the best matching adopter. There are many factors to consider including age of the pup, energy level, exercise requirements, ages of people in the home, amount of time a dog would spend alone, other pets in the home, and personal preferences on gender and breed mixes. Adoptions are not on a first come first serve basis. They are based on the best match between potential adopters and each dog.
When completing our application, please include the name(s) of the pups you are interested in. Once we review all applications we will contact people we feel are a good match and schedule a visit with the pup. The appropriate applicant will be chosen after all selected applicants have had a chance to meet the pup. We work diligently to set up our dogs for success and to create long term relationships between each adopter and their dog.
We offer a Foster to Adopt program. This provides an opportunity for the dog to visit the adopter's home for up to a week and is frequently recommended when other pets are living in the home. Ask us about it if you are interested.
Our goal is to place these amazing shelter dogs in loving homes where they are companions, living inside with their people. As a family member, we expect the dog to stay with the adopter for the rest of his or her life.
Adopting from us is a life long commitment, please be sure you are prepared
for this before submitting your application.
Most rescue dogs will not arrive with perfect manners or superior leash skills. Just as you would with children, you must be willing to help the dog through any issues that come up. Your dog will need your gentle guidance and positive reinforcement training to bring out the best in him.
We will work with you every step of the way.