Animal rescue

If you’re interested in adopting a cat or a dog from either a shelter or a rescue, you probably want to know what the differences are between the two.

Or maybe you didn’t even know there was a difference. The words “shelter” and “rescue” might seem interchangeable, but they’re actually not.

Both shelters and rescues do the same general thing — which is rescue homeless animals and try to find them permanent homes — but there are some very distinct differences.

What is an animal rescue?

“A rescue is usually a nonprofit entity funded by donations,” Abelson said. “Rescues will take dogs from shelters; get them the medical care they need and help them find forever homes.”

"Since some shelters euthanize animals when they run out of room, rescues will actually take in pets from shelters to save them from that fate, in addition to rescuing animals directly themselves."

"When you’re looking at rescues, check their nonprofit status to make sure they’re reputable. You’ll want to find a place that has 501(c)(3) status because that means they aren't breeding animals for money or selling them for profit."

What is an animal shelter?

“A shelter is generally funded by city or state tax dollars,” Abelson told The Dodo. “It is the first stop for a dog that has been found as a stray or surrendered by their owners.”

"f you call animal control about a stray dog, an abandoned litter or an abusive living situation, odds are they’ll bring the animals to a shelter since animal control is also typically government funded."

"Because most shelters have to take in any animal who comes their way (including animals who are extremely ill or have various needs), they might euthanize animals to make room for others who need help"

“Often shelters have a limited amount of space and either have to turn animals away or euthanize some if they get overpopulated."

What is a no-kill shelter?

"The name “no-kill shelter” implies the organization doesn’t euthanize animals, but that isn’t entirely true."

“No-kill is a label that many shelters have in order to convey that they don’t euthanize animals willy-nilly,” Dr. Bonk said. “However, even no-kill shelters still euthanize animals, just not in the numbers that other shelters might.”

"No-kill shelters may euthanize animals with health or behavioral issues but won’t typically euthanize because of overpopulation."