In most cases homeless pets end up in local animal shelters. Due to overcrowding and lack of resources, more than seven million dogs and cats are put to sleep each year. This is where rescue groups come into the picture. Volunteers in the rescue groups scan the animal shelters constantly, looking for pets of all ages and breeds whose time at the animal shelter has almost run out, to give them a second chance before they are euthanized.

    Rescue groups are strictly volunteer-run, grant- and/or donation-funded organizations, specifically formed to help hopeless cases of abused, neglected or abandoned animals that have no other options left. Some rescue groups specialize in senior or disabled dogs and cats, while others specialize in small dogs, specific breeds or are all-breed rescues.

    One of the biggest misconceptions about adopting a “rescued” dog or cat is that they all come with extra “baggage” or behavior issues. If you ask anybody who has adopted a pet from a rescue, they will swear their bond with their rescued pal is as deep as they come. When you open your hearts and your homes to pets that need help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their lives.

    Rescue groups are able to assess the personality of each dog or cat for adoption and carefully match you up with the right one for your lifestyle. The rescue group also provides adoption counseling and training. Some rescue groups even offer post-adoption workshops and training classes, as well as continued support and advice during your new pet's transition.

    With the holidays approaching, this is a perfect opportunity to donate to a rescue group in the name of a friend or loved one. Often rescue organizations have holiday-gift programs set up for this time of year. An important thing to remember is that pets themselves are not gifts. It is crucial for people looking for a pet to carefully consider the best match for them and their lifestyles.

    Every year the reality of animal overpopulation is a persistent problem and a challenge to concerned animal lovers all over the world. Rescue groups provide an optimistic solution. Supporting local rescue groups, either by adopting an animal in need of a loving family or by donating to help them with the cause, is a way that you can help make a difference in these animals' lives.

Northeast Ohio Rescue Groups
Akron/Canton
Boxer Rescue of Ohio Inc.: (440) 322-5127
Buckeye House Rabbit Society: (330) 484-8416
C.A.R.E. of Ohio Inc.: (330) 588-9325
Daisy Dog Rescue: Heather@DaisyDogRescue.com
Diamonds In The Ruff: (330) 832-4074
Enchanted Felines: adopt@enchantedfelines.com
Friends of Pets: (330) 571-PETS (7387)
Greyhound Gathering: (330) 484-1720
Happy Endings Poodle and Small Breed Rescue:
    OHpoodlemommy@aol.com
Heaven Can Wait - Rescue and Adoptions:
    adoptions@heaven-can-wait.com
Hope and Love K-9 Rescue: (330) 904-6600
Northeast Ohio Shetland Sheepdog Rescue Inc:
     (330) 650-4846
Paws with Pride: sllaguardia@neo.rr.com
Pet Guards Shelter: (330) 849-0634
Precious Lives Animal Sanctuary: (330) 633-3393
Second Chance for Animals Inc.: (330) 966-7156
South Summit Kitten and Puppy Rescue:     southrescue@aol.com

Cleveland
A Better Pet LLC: (216) 321-7654
All Breed Canine & Critter Rescue: (216) 341-1159
Animal Rescue Center: (216) 476-0433
Bully Breed Rescue: (216) 641-0640
Canine Cuties: (440) 255-0314
Cleveland K-911: (440) 871-1108
CODA Cleveland Ohio Dog Advocates: (877) 664-1314
Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter: (216) 749-3885
For the Love of Pete Border Collie Rescue: (216) 476-1519
Ginger's Animal Sanctuary: milanj68@yahoo.com
Golden Years Senior Greyhounds: ohiogreyhounds@yahoo.com
GRIN - Golden Retrievers In Need Rescue: (216) 556-4746
Heavenly Hearts Animal Rescue & Special Needs Pet Adoption: (216) 235-5014
Hug-a-Pup, Cleveland: (216) 973-8938
Lighthouse Boxer Rescue: (216) 749-2423
Tailwagger's Animal Rescue: Slove986@aol.com
PAWS: (440) 442-PAWS
Place-A-Pet Foundation: (216) 521-PETS
Rainbow Connection Animal Foundation: rcafcats@yahoo.com
Sanctuary for Senior Dogs: (216) 485-9233, seniordogs@aol.com
Shaggy Dog Rescue of Ohio: sdrohio@yahoo.com
Spelko Pal Chow Rescue Group: (440) 655-4457

West
A New Leash On Life Rescue: (440) 243-1272
Berea Animal Rescue Fund: (440) 234-2034
Calebs Canine Rescue Inc.: caleb@cc-rescue.org
Feline Haven: (216) 521-0625
Freddie and Friends Rescue: (440) 239-0325
Freedom Rescue: wpeterson1@twmi.rr.com
Love-A-Stray: lasvolunteer@yahoo.com
M.H.A.F.: (216) 433-0885
Purrfect Endings: (440) 365-6369
Stay-A-While Cat Shelter, Inc.: (440) 582-4990
Safe Harbor Animal Rescue Inc.: (440) 935-4864
To The Rescue/Caring K9: (440) 842-7301

South
Adopt-A-Luv Rescue: audrianne@voyager.net
Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network: cairnrescuecpcrn@yahoo.com
Forgotten Animal Shelter: (330) 723-9918
PAWsitively Pampered Ltd.: (330) 725-3142
Thunder Hill Great Dane, Papillon, Pomeranian, Rat & Toy Fox Terrier and Pregnant Dog Rescue:     (330) 722-1627
Yorkie Angels Rescue Inc.: sueb3@yahoo.com

East
All Creatures Great & Small Animal
     Sanctuary Inc: (216) 702-4022
Greyhound Adoption of Ohio: (800) 269-1148
Mini Mutts Rescue: minimutts@ameritech.net
Murrays Rescue: murraysrescue@hotmail.com
Save Our Strays: (216) 289-0496
Second-Hand Pets: (440) 946-0912s

All Over Ohio
Adopt A Husky, Inc.: www.adoptahusky.com
Irish Setter Club of Ohio Rescue:     isclubohiorescue@aol.com
North American Shar-pei Rescue, Great Lakes     Region: (330) 695-9819
Ohio Rottweiler Rescue: (480) 430-6336
Purebred Rescue Organization of Ohio, Inc.:
    (866) 841-9137 x1233
Second Chances Dalmatian Rescue & Sanctuary:
    secondchancesdalrescue@earthlink.net
Team Greyhound Adoption of Ohio:
(877) TGA-OHIO

Websites
www.petfinder.com
www.1-800-save-a-pet.com
www.pets911.com