2024 Year End Review
2024, the year everyone got rid of their dogs! Our rescue had no returns thanks to our screening process, but we did take in a record number of owner surrender dogs to help prevent them from reentering the already overloaded shelter system. Once again, 2024 was a very interesting year to rescue and adopt animals. There were still quite a bit of people who had life changing experiences and found themselves needing to get rid of their dogs for various reasons. Most people moved due to financial difficulties and found that new landlords prohibit dog ownership, other people were laid off and could not afford a pet, others had a career change with no time for a pet, and the rest had straight up financial difficulties and could no longer afford their pet or vet bills. Our rescue stepped up to the plate when we could. Our rescue intake and adoption numbers this year are still a little lower and slower then pre-covid times, but they are slowly improving. We feel that under the circumstances we did an outstanding job!
We rescued a total of 84 animals in 2024, and we lost 2 of those due to medical conditions and transferred 1 dog to a trainer where they could be better cared for. The breakdown of the 81 animals placed in 2024 is as follows; we saved a total of 8 dogs on their last day at our city and county shelters. We took in 32 owner surrendered dogs, thus preventing them from entering the shelter system. These dogs were surrendered to us for various reasons such as housing relocations, landlord problems, layoffs, unemployment, returning to work, and straight-up financial difficulties. Some of these families lost their homes and could not afford the most basic vet care for their dogs. We took in 28 strays whose owners we were unable to locate. We witnessed 3 dogs being abandoned with their owners dumping them and driving away. We also took in 2 dogs from owners who had passed away. In addition to all of this, for thes second year in a row, we took in 5 pure bred dogs from breeders who were unable to ‘sell’ their puppies before they grew up on them. Breeders have also been very slow in moving their dogs. We took in 3 dogs that were surrendered to our Vet after the owners were unable to afford vet care. We had 5 animals born in our care at the rescue that we raised until they were ready for adoption. Animals Rule was able to assist 14 low income/homeless families with pet food and vet assistance throughout the year. Of the 81 animals we adopted, 69 were dogs, 7 were cats, 1 was a rabbit, and 4 were guinea pigs.
We accomplished all of this while holding down jobs of our own, marriages and mortgages. It was another crazy and difficult year. We are dedicated to the well being of our rescue dogs and we love each and every one of them who pass through our rescue on their way to forever homes. Please help us give back and help to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Don’t buy, don’t breed, Adopt!
From the Animals Rule volunteers we thank you and look forward to changing lives in 2025.
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