Founded on the principle that every dog that goes through a rescue is deserving of love and a fair chance. All too often both dogs and people both find themselves in need of help but unable to advocate for themselves.

Since we began in April 2023, Last Stop Rescue has successfully placed over 55 dogs into loving homes where they belong. These dogs had no say in the course of their life, without a voice … abandoned by their previous rescue, their needs neglected, forgotten and just a number whose number was about to be called. As a volunteer only foster based organization, we put our hearts and souls into these animals.  We need your financial support so we can continue to do what we do.  Any amount is helpful!

Because we take dogs that have experienced nothing but instability, frustration, fear, uncertainty, neglect … if not far worse. We have to put more into medical care to make sure that the difficulties they’ve had in the past aren’t in part due to a medical issue, deficiency or another correctable issue. Once we know the rescued animal is healthy, we focus on their behavioral rehabilitation. This is a program where the dogs set their pace and progress as they feel comfortable. 

How does that possibly work? We at Last Stop Rescue believe all of these dogs are individuals, just like you and us– They have their own anxieties, insecurities, strengths and weaknesses. We give the dogs an appropriate place to decompress and they get that private space as long as they need it. When we give them a safe place to observe life from and empower them to control what they have to deal with and when – We see very quick improvements when the dog finally gets a choice in their life. That also means they’re around for 3-6 months before they may be ready for another shot at a home. We have come across dogs so terrified of car rides because they’ve been dumped multiple times, dumped breeder dogs who are terrified of humans or other dogs because of the abuse they’ve faced, dogs that have been kept outside and neglected so long they don’t understand how to be in a house or how to interact with humans. On average it takes us about 6 months to allow the dogs to completely decompress and regain their confidence in life for our worst cases, our best cases take less than a couple of months.

Our adoption fee structure is unconventional but it was determined by the actual cost of medical, training, and housing a dog for 8 months.  Provided everything goes perfectly and we have no unexpected expenses! The sad truth is we can never fully account for all of the expenses from adoption fees alone. Things like emergencies (averages 1.2k per visit), Heartworm positive dogs (averages 500 each for full treatment that takes 12 months) or special medical (specialty services like ortho, urologist, internal specialists, etc) take a toll on our bank accounts! In the past six months we have accrued roughly $5,100 in ER bills, $3,000 in heartworm treatments and about $6,000 in special medical. This only makes up $14,100 out of our total out of pocket expenses for Q1 & Q2 of $23,399.34 which covers their supplies and materials for the foster dogs currently with us. This is ONLY what it costs to take care of the dogs – Our operating costs are just $4,800 and just so you know where your money might go!

In addition to saving the lives of more dogs, another primary goal is to provide a variety of services to the public.  We have done public outreach by helping low income families with medical, boarding, training and supplies to keep dogs in the home. Many of our owner-surrendered dogs come from economic struggles and we always offer to try and help keep the dog with their current families. We are a drama free driven rescue and internal conflict is absent.  Our team supports each other and works together for the common goal of getting the dog to be its best self and then getting it into the right home to live their best lives. With unmatched foster and adopter support, we are a zero-return AND NO-KILL (actually) rescue and we aim to keep it that way with your support.

With our communities help we aim to:

• Provide weekly training classes (did this when we had a place, now we don't but are working to find a new space), 
• Provide guided pack walks a few times a month,
• Provide a couple of events a month where we go to meet potential adopters and spread word about what we do,
• Sponsor spay and neuter clinics for areas struggling with feral dog and cat populations,
• Cultivate a supportive community around our rescue efforts,
• Provide a full medical and behavioral profile for every dog we place with on-going support,
• Never pump & dump dogs into homes–every dog has a dedicated coordinator and usually a backup or two,
• Help any dog – we don’t care about the situation, 50% of our dogs are off death row, 10% are from other rescues rejecting them or wanting to euthanize a dog for insufficient reasons, 30% are owner-give-up or rehome situations, the last 10% are puppies that have been dumped or taken from puppy mills,
  • Almost all rescues and shelters are closed to taking owner give ups or helping them. We do anything we can to help them land safely and avoid high kill shelters that don’t turn dogs down,
• Help prevent dogs from losing their homes through public outreach programs,
• Continue to train and expand our network to maximize the number of pets we can save!

Last Stop Rescue needs donations so that we can continue these efforts and we need your help to make this happen!

Donations could be in the form of:

• Monetary donations / sponsorships,
• Lending of space to meet or host adoption events, Goods to auction/re-sell at fundraisers,
• Dine to donate fundraisers,
• Donated cars – running or not!,
• Sales drive efforts to a local business with a percentage back,
• Donation of office & cleaning supplies for use by the shelter, every penny we save on anything is another penny towards the dogs! 
• Computers, cellphones that are still usable, printers/copiers & ink cartridges, office organization materials, heavy duty shelving, chew/marking proof storage systems, indoor and outdoor storage containers, etc.

Please reach out to us today by email or leave us a voice mail message and we’ll get back to you!

Every dog that is adopted allows us to repeat the process and save another dog. Every one of our dogs has changed a life and all because you helped us give them a choice.  Please consider how significant your tax‐deductible donation to Last Stop Rescue would be to the hopeful lives of our furry friends and their new families.  As a 501c3 organization (EIN 92-3646356), any donation is fully deductible to the extent allowed by law and will be strictly used for our dogs.

A copy of this letter can be found for download below.

This guide will walk you through the key steps to adopting a pet, including how to prepare, what to look for, and how to ensure a smooth transition.

Advocate for yourself, your current pets and the new family member you're considering if the group you approach wants to rush or skip vital steps take it as a sign!

Step 1: Determine If Adoption Is Right for You

Before bringing a pet home, ask yourself:

✅ Can I commit long-term? Pets can live for 10-20 years—adoption is for life.
✅ Do I have the time? Dogs need training, walks, and socialization; cats need enrichment and care.
✅ Can I afford it? Veterinary bills, food, grooming, and supplies add up.
✅ Does my lifestyle allow it? If you travel often or have a demanding job, consider if you have the support to care for a pet.
✅ Is my home pet-friendly? Renters should check pet policies, and all household members should be on board.

Step 2: Decide What Kind of Pet Is Best for You

Not all pets fit every lifestyle. Consider:

🐶 Dogs: Active, social, and need training. Some breeds require more exercise than others.
🐱 Cats: Independent but still need enrichment. Some are more social, others prefer solitude.
🐰 Small animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.): Require specific care and housing.
🦜 Birds: Intelligent but high-maintenance; require mental stimulation and space.

Think about energy level, size, grooming needs, and temperament before choosing a pet.

Step 3: Research Adoption Options

There are several ways to adopt a pet:

🔹 Animal Shelters – Great for finding pets in need, often with lower adoption fees.
🔹 Rescue Organizations – Many specialize in specific breeds or animals with special needs.
🔹 Rehoming Situations – Adopting from a previous owner can be a good option if the pet is already trained.

Red Flags to Avoid:
🚩 Rescues that adopt out pets in under a week without proper vetting physically and behaviorally.
🚩 No transparency about medical or behavioral history.
🚩 No return policy or post-adoption support.
🚩 No resources, process or protocol to explain if you ask about behavioral issues that may arise after adoption.
🚩 Poor or no answers to vital questions.
🚩 NEVER adopt or otherwise attain a pet as a SURPRISE GIFT!

Step 4: Meet the Pet Before Adopting

A successful adoption starts with the right match.

✅ Ask questions: What’s the pet’s history, temperament, and medical background? What is there process or procedure for behavioral problem dogs? How do they do their assessments? Do they have video of it? What are the top three issues the pet is currently facing and can they demonstrate where the pet is at with those issues? How do they test their pets behaviorally? How long have they had the pet prior to you're application?
✅ Observe behavior: Look for signs of fear, stress, or aggression. If you are unsure of what you're seeing ASK THEM how they perceive the same event and why. If they cannot explain what they just saw or only have confusion when asked about behaviors being displayed– walk away or prepare to have the pet assessed by a behavioralist to make sure you understand your new pet.
✅ Request multiple visits: Take time to bond before making a decision. You will not see all quirks or traits in one visit less than an hour. Ask for up to 3 hours of time with the pet between first visits to home visits in order to get a feel for how they take to your space and your current family members. You may want to consider meeting the dog at multiple locations, in public, at a foster's house, at your house, at a frequently visited family or friends place, or any other activity you might be interested in doing. Examples might be running, hiking, dog parks, shopping in pet friendly stores, going to crowded events/parties, being around lots of people coming/going or whatever common activity that may be part of your life.
✅ Meet your current pets (if applicable): Ensure compatibility before bringing a new pet home. Be sure to experiment and test various scenarios' with extra hands and rescue volunteers present. Such as how the pets behave around resources (toys, human attention, food/water, and space– both tight and open. PLEASE REMEMBER to have all frequent visitors four legged family meet your prospective new pet first as well! It's a commonly forgotten step and can be the source of may problems in the future.

Step 5: Prepare for Your Pet’s Arrival

🐾 Gather essentials: Food, bowls, leash, crate (for dogs), litter box (for cats), toys, and a comfy bed.
🐾 Set up a safe space: Allow your new pet time to adjust in a quiet, stress-free environment.
🐾 Schedule a vet check-up: Even if the pet is healthy, it’s good to establish a vet relationship. You may want to have them review the medical records and fill in any gaps left by the previous guardian.

Step 6: Transition and Training

🐕 Dogs: Start training immediately. Use positive reinforcement and establish a routine.
🐈 Cats: Allow time to adjust and explore at their own pace.
🐾 All pets: Be patient—adjustment takes days, weeks, or even months.

Step 7: Commit to a Lifetime of Love and Care

Adoption is not just about bringing home a pet—it’s about giving them a forever home.

💙 Provide routine care – Annual vet visits, proper nutrition, and regular exercise.
💙 Continue training and socialization – Even adult pets need continued learning.
💙 Offer love and patience – Rescued pets may need extra time to trust and bond.

Final Thoughts

Adopting a pet is one of the most rewarding experiences, but it comes with responsibility. By taking the time to choose the right pet, preparing your home, and committing to their well-being, you can ensure a happy, successful adoption.

🐾 Ready to adopt? Do your research, ask questions, and always choose adoption with care! 🐾