How to rescue a dog

It takes a community to rescue a dog. Every rescue dog passes through many sets of rescue-worn hands before landing in their forever home - from the shelter worker who works for minimum wage, to the rescue volunteer who hasn't taken a day off in 5 years, to the foster who spent countless hours rehabilitating the sick and scared dog that is pretty much every rescue dog when they first arrive in NYC. 

Fostering a dog is saving a life

There are many ways you can rescue a dog, but one of the most important things you can do is to become a foster. The shelter environment is extremely tough on animals — physically and mentally — but rescues can’t move them out unless there are fosters willing to take them in. A dog’s chances of getting adopted increase exponentially when they enter the foster system. Fosters bring them to the vet to get spayed, vaccinated, and treated for existing medical issues, provide basic training so that they can adapt to life as a house pet, and help them find the perfect forever home by being their strongest advocates. 

Here at Badass we owe much of our success to a foster community that is welcoming, supportive and fun! We work hard to set each foster up for success through our foster education and training programs, and by covering all vetting expenses and matching them with dogs that fit their level of experience. For those willing to care for a dog with extra medical or training needs, our Vet Team and Foster Team members are always standing by to provide logistical support and set them up with our top-notch vets and professional trainers.

Join the adoption journey

Every rescue dog deserves a forever home. Adopting a dog is a life-long commitment. It is also the first step you’re taking in saving its life. Like any committed relationship, the one you have with your dog will only continue to grow and evolve if you are willing to put in the work. It is always a good idea to work with a professional trainer in the early days — a good trainer will teach you and your dog the basics of communication and provide foundational training for your dog to be a successful companion animal. Not only does Badass provide trainer recommendations to our adopters, most of our dogs have worked with a trainer while they were in foster care! Adopters have access to the training and vetting resources at our disposal and can lean on one another for advice and support in our private Facebook group. 

Supporting Badass from outside of NYC

2022 is Badass Animal Rescue’s 11th year rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters in the American south. From our humble roots in Brooklyn, we’re now expanding our foster and adoption opportunities to animal lovers within a 5-hour commute from NYC. We often rescue dogs that need a little more space and quiet, fewer distractions, or in some cases, fewer stairs! Out-of-city adopters are welcomed to apply through our regular adoption track, and we are seeking more fosters who would like to help a dog outside of the city. 

Volunteers help us scale our programs

If you can’t foster or adopt, you can still volunteer! Most non-profit animal rescues operate on a tight budget and rely on volunteers to staff their rescue programs. For instance, Badass always need volunteer drivers to transport dogs and equipment, volunteer dog handlers at adoption events, and volunteer dog walkers and dog sitters to lend fosters a helping hand. And, we’re always on the lookout for additional volunteers to join our vet team, adoption team and foster team. As an almost all-volunteer run rescue, none of the life-saving work we do would be possible without the selfless contribution of our core volunteers!

Become a partner by sponsoring and donating

Last but definitely not least, you can join our efforts to increase rescue awareness and support our life-saving mission becoming a Badass partner or sponsor. Being a 501(c)3 nonprofit means that we rely on the generosity of partners and donors to support each and every dog we rescue - from the moment of rescue to the day of adoption. And because it is our belief that every dog deserves a second chance regardless of their medical needs, 40% of our annual budget goes towards providing basic and life-saving medical care for the dogs we rescue. This significant investment in vet care is what makes Badass a responsible, mission-driven rescue, and we have been able to uphold this commitment year after year thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors and partners.

There are so many ways to get involved and help rescue dogs! Rescue is a journey, and you can jump in at any point, in any capacity, and still play a part in saving a dog’s life. Welcome to the dog house!