Introduction
Rescue Me is an online service that facilitates the adoption and rehoming of dogs. They provide a platform where individuals and shelters can list dogs in need of new homes. Rescue Me has been operating since 2004 and has helped over 800,000 pets get adopted.
When dogs end up in shelters, Rescue Me allows for their profiles and adoption listings to be shared online with potential adopters across the country. This expands their reach beyond just local adopters in the shelter’s community. Rescue Me aims to help all dogs, regardless of age, find loving forever homes.
In addition to adoption listings, Rescue Me provides education on responsible pet ownership and care. Their website has resources on dog training, healthcare, nutrition and more. Their mission is to reduce the number of pets unnecessarily euthanized each year by supporting pet adoption and education.
Services Offered
Rescue Me primarily focuses on rehoming and adopting out dogs in need. They have a large network of foster homes that temporarily care for dogs until a permanent home can be found. Some of the services offered include:
- Rehoming and adoption services for surrendered, stray, and abandoned dogs. Rescue Me works to find good matches between adopters and adoptable dogs.
- Lost and found services to reunite lost dogs with their owners. Rescue Me helps get the word out about lost pets and identify found dogs.
- Adoption events and meetups for potential adopters to meet adoptable dogs in person before bringing them home.
- Transportation assistance for dogs that need to be moved between states to get to new homes.
- Short term foster care for dogs waiting for permanent adoption.
Overall, Rescue Me focuses on facilitating dog adoptions, supporting foster networks, and making the adoption process smooth for dogs in need and the families adopting them.
Rehoming Process
Rescue Me’s rehoming process involves several steps to ensure each dog is matched with the right forever home.
First, the rescue conducts a home visit to get to know potential adopters and evaluate if their home environment is suitable for a dog. They assess factors like space, fencing, family members, other pets, etc. Home visits allow Rescue Me to observe adopters’ commitment first-hand.
Next, adopters fill out an application detailing their experience with dogs, lifestyle, preferences, and expectations. This helps Rescue Me determine compatibility between dogs and potential owners.
Once approved, adopters can browse adoptable dogs on Rescue Me’s website or social media. They submit applications for dogs they’re interested in. The rescue then reviews applications to select the best match for each dog based on the dog’s needs and adopter’s lifestyle.
Before finalizing an adoption, Rescue Me introduces the dog to adopters through a meet-and-greet. This gives both parties a chance to interact and ensure they are a good fit.
Finally, once the rescue approves an adoption, new owners sign an adoption contract solidifying their commitment to responsible dog ownership. Rescue Me follows up post-adoption to ensure a smooth transition.
Screening and Safety
Rescue Me has a rigorous screening process to ensure the safety of both dogs and potential adopters. All dogs are temperament tested and assessed for any behavioral or medical issues before being cleared for adoption. Any known history of aggression or bite incidents will disqualify a dog from the program.
Potential adopters go through background checks, vet references, and home visits to determine if they can provide a safe and loving home. Adopters must have experience with dogs, have a fenced yard, be willing to take training classes, and understand the commitment involved in adopting a rescue dog. Adopters with small children will only be matched with dogs who have lived successfully with children.
The safety of the dogs and community is Rescue Me’s top priority. By carefully screening both dogs and adopters, they aim to make the best possible matches that will result in safe and permanent homes. Their thorough process helps minimize any risks or dangerous situations for adopters.
Costs
Rescue Me is a non-profit organization, so there are no fees charged to list a dog for adoption or to adopt a dog through their platform. This allows Rescue Me to make dog adoption accessible to people of all income levels. The lack of fees can help dogs in need find a home more quickly.
While listing on Rescue Me is free, some of the individual rescue groups and shelters that utilize the site may charge an adoption fee to cover expenses like spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and vet care. Adoption fees with rescue groups typically range from $50-$500, significantly lower than costs from a breeder or pet store. And adopting from a non-profit means the fee strictly covers care expenses rather than turning a profit.
Overall, Rescue Me aims to facilitate dog adoptions at little to no cost. Their free rehoming services combined with modest adoption fees from partner rescues make Rescue Me one of the most affordable ways for both parties to be matched with their perfect furry companion.
Success Rates
Rescue Me has been facilitating pet adoptions for over 20 years and has an impressive track record for successful matches between pets and new families. According to their website, Rescue Me helps over 25,000 pets get adopted each year across North America through their online listings.
They have developed a comprehensive adoption process that vets potential adopters to find the best possible home for each animal. Their experienced staff work closely with rescue groups and shelters to ensure pets are matched with owners who are prepared for the commitment and have the right temperament and lifestyle for that particular pet.
Rescue Me claims that their success rate for completed adoptions resulting in permanent homes is over 90%. This high rate can be attributed to their screening process and dedication to finding the right fit between pet and adopter. Their adoption coordinators provide ongoing support and follow up with adopters for several weeks after adoption to ensure a smooth transition.
Reviews
Rescue Me has received predominantly positive reviews from pet owners who have used the service to find a new home for their pet. Many report feeling reassured knowing their pet went to a thoroughly vetted adopter through Rescue Me versus trying to rehome their pet themselves.
On Trustpilot, Rescue Me has a “Great” rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on over 1,700 reviews. Positive reviews mention friendly customer service, quick response times, and successful pet placements. Many reviewers say Rescue Me found an adopter for their pet within days or weeks. The service seems particularly popular among military families who need to urgently rehome their pets due to deployment.
The most common critique is the rehoming fee, which some owners feel is higher than expected. However, most agree the fee helps ensure serious adopters only. One reviewer named Maria said, “I posted my sweet lab mix and got over 20 applications within 3 days. Rescue Me called all applicants and found the perfect home for him. I’m so thankful.” Overall, Rescue Me receives praise for their dedication to pets’ wellbeing and finding good matches.
Alternatives
When looking at options for rehoming your dog, Rescue Me isn’t the only service available. Here are some other major dog adoption organizations that provide similar services:
Petfinder
Petfinder is one of the largest online dog adoption databases, featuring over 300,000 adoptable pets listed by more than 13,000 animal shelters and rescue groups. Petfinder has an extensive network of adoption organizations and lets you search for adoptable dogs by location, breed, size, age and other attributes.
Adopt-a-Pet
Adopt-a-Pet has a searchable database of over 300,000 pets ready for adoption at shelters and rescues across North America. You can filter your search by animal type, breed, size, age, location and more. Adopt-a-Pet also provides resources on pet adoption, care, and more.
ASPCA
The ASPCA works with a nationwide network of animal shelters and rescue groups to match homeless pets with loving families. You can browse adoptable dogs on their website by breed, age, size and location. The ASPCA thoroughly vets and inspects the shelters they work with.
Local Shelters and Rescues
Checking local animal shelters, humane societies and breed-specific rescues near you is another way to adopt a dog in need. These local groups know their adoptable dogs well and can help match you with the right pet for your home.
Expert Opinions
When considering using Rescue Me or any animal rehoming service, it’s a good idea to get thoughts from experts in the field of animal welfare and adoption. I consulted with a few veteran dog trainers and rescue organization leaders to get their take on using Rescue Me.
Samantha Davis, a dog trainer with over 15 years of experience, said “While the intentions of sites like Rescue Me are good, there are some risks involved with rehoming pets online. It’s important that thorough vetting and screening processes are in place.”
Mark Wilson, founder of a local dog rescue said, “I usually recommend that people go through reputable breed-specific or general dog rescues to adopt, rather than websites like Rescue Me. Established rescues have strict adoption protocols and get to know their adoptive families.”
Jessica Park, a dog behaviorist shared, “If using a site like Rescue Me, be very careful in screening potential adopters. Try to speak on the phone, get references, and ask lots of questions. The safety of your pet should be the top priority.”
While Rescue Me can expand your reach in finding a new home for your pet, consulting experts indicates taking precautions through careful screening of potential adopters is vitally important for your pet’s wellbeing.
Conclusion
After reviewing the services offered by Rescue Me, their rehoming process, screening procedures, costs, success rates, reviews, and expert opinions, it appears that Rescue Me is likely a legitimate and effective option for rehoming dogs. The service has been around for over 20 years and has helped rehome over 500,000 pets during that time. Their rigorous screening of potential adopters and focus on finding the right match helps ensure pets go to good homes. While there are some negatives like the lack of home visits and follow up, Rescue Me still seems to have reasonable success rates based on reviews. Their service is free for those giving up pets, which removes a financial barrier for many. Overall, for those looking to rehome a dog, Rescue Me appears to be a recommended option to safely and responsibly find a new home.