As a part of our commitment to giving back to rescue groups, we select two organizations every month to be the recipient of our Buy One Give One (BOGO) program. Our BOGO program is based on online sales from our leash and collar collections. For every collar/leash purchased, one is donated to a rescue group.

We couldn’t be more thrilled to have The Rescue Crew as our BOGO recipient from October 16th – 31st, 2018. The Rescue Crew is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Minnesota-based animal rescue organization which strives to prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of companion animals by finding them loving forever homes. We asked them a few questions to help our followers learn more about the amazing things they are accomplishing.

What is involved in keeping a foster-based rescue going?

There are many aspects and needs to keep a foster-based rescue going, such as defining and adhering to a clear vision and mission. Our Mission Statement: We are here to help save the lives of companion animals in need. Those are are homeless; the abused or abandoned; the neglected and unloved, and to show them human compassion and kindness, ultimately helping them become valued family members in a loving home. And our vision: We envision the day where every adoptable companion animal has the opportunity of finding a responsible, loving home. A world where pets are no longer mistreated, abused or abandoned. To reinforce our vision and mission statements, we have developed “Six Core Values” that define who we are and how we intend to operate:
1. Incorporate New Ways of Thinking. We strive to reduce barriers to both fostering and adopting, provide to the best of our abilities food of high nutritional quality, delivered to our fosters doorstep when necessary, and provide the flexibility to use multiple convenient veterinarian clinics to assist our foster homes. Additionally, we maintain a “Save where we serve” philosophy to our animal rescue efforts.
2. Positive Relationships. We strive to harness the creativity, passion and resources of our fosters, volunteers and partnerships through collaboration, open and honest communication and teamwork.
3. Focus on Public Education. We strive to inform the public about responsible pet ownership and educating the community about the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals to reduce the pet overpopulation crisis.
4. Appropriate and Proper Placement. While we would love to be able to save them all, we feel that appropriate and proper placement is crucial. As a result, we strive to understand as much about each in either in our care, or that we are striving to take into rescue, in terms of temperament, personality and needs as we know about our foster and adoptive homes so that we can best ensure successful placement.
5. Compassion and Respect. We will always strive to demonstrate the highest levels of compassion and respect for both the companion animals in our care as well as the community we serve and the individuals and organizations we interact and partner with.
6. Be Positive Influencers. We are active and positive stewards and advocacts of the animal rescue and welfare community and strive to lead and influence responsibly and respectfully.

What are some of the things your group is known for?

Our group is best known for the local work we do within the community and shelters. We were recently named the number three rescue to pull fromMinneapolis Animal Care and Control – the largest municipal shelter in the state. One of our key priorities is to help save the dogs closest to home, as there are a great number left behind in the shelters and local impounds. The Rescue Crew was created specifically to help fill a need in our local community for shelter animals facing imminent risk of euthanasia without rescue support. Additionally, while we rescue companion animals of all sizes, ages, breeds and conditions, The Rescue Crew will always maintain a focus on helping one of the least adopted and most euthanized breeds in the country – the “pit bull-type” dog or “bully breed.”

Describe some of the more challenging moments in rescue and how you/the other volunteers got through it?

Our group is best known for the local work we do within the community and shelters. We were recently named the number three rescue to pull from Minneapolis Animal Care and Control – the largest municipal shelter in the state. One of our key priorities is to help save the dogs closest to home, as there are a great number left behind in the shelters and local impounds. The Rescue Crew was created specifically to help fill a need in our local community for shelter animals facing imminent risk of euthanasia without rescue support. Additionally, while we rescue companion animals of all sizes, ages, breeds and conditions, The Rescue Crew will always maintain a focus on helping one of the least adopted and most euthanized breeds in the country – the “pit bull-type” dog or “bully breed.”

What is the most rewarding part about fostering? What would you say to others who are considering fostering for a group like yours?

Fostering pays BIG TIME!!! In loving kisses, warm cuddles and endless adventures. One look into the eyes of the companion animal you are fostering, knowing that you may very well be the only reason they are still on this earth, and your heart will be full of joy and pride. It is an amazingly rewarding experience that can give your life purpose and fulfillment. Foster homes allow us to save animals from a variety of situations by providing them with temporary care and shelter until they are adopted. Everything fosters need is free, from bowls and food to treats and poop bags are provided for you.

Fosters are an invaluable, wonderful group of people who endure all the highs and lows of pet ownership, only to let the animals they have loved so much and worked so hard for go.so that they can help save another life in urgent need. New foster homes are always desperately needed. Each week, many companion animals are euthanized because there is nowhere for them to go. Fostering is a wonderful gift you can give to animals in need. Only by opening your heart and home to a homeless animal can we continue to save lives.

Be sure to follow The Rescue Crew on Facebook and Instagram.

SUPPORT THE RESCUE CREW WITH OUR BOGO PROGRAM!

Don’t need a new collar or leash right now? No problem. By simply placing a note in your order, we will gladly send your purchase directly to the shelter, along with a note from you and the free one from us.