Animal Rescue Stories

Read heartfelt stories of rescue, and share your rescued animal stories with others.

Little One

Little One

Three years ago I was on my way to my new job and there was Little One on the side of the highway. Someone had dumped this little puppy to fend for itself out in the country. I stopped and she just jumped into my SUV like she already belonged to me. She has been such a little bundle of joy and energy. She makes me smile everyday as she is such a little clown.

Mary
Trenton, FL

Angel from Heaven

Angel from Heaven

I was having lunch at a fast food restaurant in Oceanside, CA when I heard a crying sound. I looked around and there outside the door was a little black kitten! I picked her up and looked around for other kittens and did not find any. I took her home, named her Angel, and she has been my little Angel from heaven ever since. She joined my other 2 rescue cats and rescue dog at their forever home.

Diane Harris
Leesburg, VA

My Guardian Angel

My Guardian Angel

I found Waverly in New Waverly, Texas at an evening antique auction in a warehouse near railroad tracks. She was appx. 3 months old and bloated with worms and very hungry. There were alot of refinishing chemicals around. I was worried for her safety with trains and poisons. She was begging for attention and wanting someone to pet her. After the auction, my boyfriend and I hated to leave the pup. The auctioneer said he would find a home for her. When we arrived home after midnight, we called the auction house. No one took her home so we we drove back to New Waverly (1 hour away) at 1 AM to bring her home. She has been the greatest protector and companion anyone could ask for. She even saved me from a potential bad guy on biking trails! Instead of me being her angel, she has been mine for the last 14 years and counting.

Karen Kawszan
Spring, TX

Smooches the Rat

Smooches the Rat

Smooches was found on a cold winter day wandering around the parking lot of a local shopping center. It seems that someone had dumped his cage in an attempt to get rid of him. It was cold and he had no shelter. He was very friendly to people and the employees of the nearby Petco took him in. My husband and I adopted him and fell in love. He was very sociable to us and grew quickly to his full length of 19 inches from nose to tail! We spoiled him with all sorts of goodies and toys and he soon became a member of our little family. He gave great ratty kisses and had daily playtimes with us. Unfortunately, our Smooches passed away last year due to a combination of age and skin and health ailments. But he was spoiled and happy until the end and we are so glad we had the opportunity to make his little life a good one.

Eliza
charlottesville, VA

Soxie finds a home

Soxie finds a home

Hello,
My name is Soxie, I live in Brandon Florida. I was left without a home at my apartment complex in May of last year. A really nice guy was feeding me but wasn't sure if I could get along with a cat he already had named Scooter. I convinced him I was very friendly and was just looking for a nice place to crash. That was almost a year ago, I now have a wonderful life, a great brother and a loving owner who thinks I talk too much!

Happy Trails,

Soxie

Craig Carreno
Brandon, FL

My Little Mattie

My Little Mattie

Park Ranger said a witness said Little Mattie was put out of a car at a park where I take my other dog Kalani to train. She was infested with fleas, hair matted (thats how she got her name) tapeworms, double ear infection, starved weighing 26lbs, and scared of humans. Kalani and I took her home and this is what she looks like 1 month later at 38lbs, and
looking and feeling much better, Kalani's best friend, they
get along so well. Thanks to the Park Ranger who kept her safe and to whoever left her, know she has a great loving home!

Linda Reardon
New Port Richey, FL

Maurizio the Italian Lhasa!

Maurizio the Italian Lhasa!

After the loss of our old and faithful Pekapoo at age 16, my husband and I had decided that we could not have another dog. With our kids grown, and both of us working, it just didn't seem fair to have a puppy and keep it locked in all day alone.

I've been visiting petfinder.com regularly, though, thinking that there might be a cat out there that beckoned to me--I'm a real cat lover! In February 09 I received an email announcing "new pets for adoption," and visited Petfinder. There on the page was the most adorable little dog looking up into the camera! He'd been picked up as a stray out in the country, paws raw and fur matted and dirty and full of burrs. After a month at the local Humane Society, no owner had come forward, and he was put up for adoption. He'd been neutered, bathed, coiffed, vetted, micro-chipped and tagged, and was ready to make an impression! I called my husband and on a snowy Friday night we sped to the shelter to meet Maurizio. With only minutes until closing, the staff and volunteers were happy to introduce us. He jumped into my husband's arms and that's the way he made the trip to his new home! The art student who names their animals ("because she has the best imagination"), told us that she knows this Lhasa Apso is rooted in Tibet, but he seemed more Italian, thus the name Maurizio.

We call him Rizz, and after a month with us, he recognizes his new name. He is the best dog ever, fully house-trained and very smart. He's a little older and is obviously used to being alone during the day, so we've all adapted very well! We're so glad he found us!

Sali Mounce
Menomonie, WI

My Big Fat Daddy One Love

My Big Fat Daddy One Love

Love was literally scruffed by the neck and thrown out of his house.
I took him and his nephew Whitey home with me. Whitey passed in 2005 from a congenital defect at the age of 2...the vet said he wouldn't live to be 6 months! Love is healthy, fat and going strong! Just turned 8 in January 2009. I've been blessed to have him for the past 4 years and I hope to have him for many many more.

Patty
Grantsville, MD

Rescued Cher

Rescued Cher

Cher is a minuture schnauzer mix...she was a birthday present for me from my husband and kids, I been searching for a small dog and spent weeks and weeks searching "petfinder" until one day we decided we would check our local Humane Society to see if they had a small dog..I was reluctant because small dogs usually do not last long. I was lucky...Cher was very, VERY scared! It took her a few days to realize we loved her and it wouldn't be long before she would be completely spoiled!!
She is the best present I ever received!!

Dawn McGovern
Bunnell, FL

Mac, Gentle Giant

Mac, Gentle Giant

Mac and I found each other through a rescue group. He had been tied to a tree and left to die out in the country with bailing wire and barbed wire around his neck. After days of suffering, he was rescued. Rotten flesh had to be cut out of his chest and he had to be sutured all the way around his neck. He healed beautifully, found his forever loving home with me, and he has been the love of my life, my companion and bodyguard for 11 years now! He is my Gentle Giant!

Jane Callahan
Austin, TX