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Rescue "How To"

You've had an animal in need "cross your path"? Can Healing Species help you?
Yes, but sometimes, being a no-kill "Sanctuary of last resort," our limited Healing Species space and resources get filled to over-capacity.  An ideal number of dogs for our first (and for the-time-being, only,) dog orphanage to adequately maintain is approximately 13. Within recent months, we have given sanctuary to up to 50 at a time (including some groupings of several puppies with Mama dogs).  Healing Species' founder and a small task force of under-paid and over-worked staffers have worked tirelessly to find responsible, loving, forever homes for each dog – giving them daily care: feeding, cleaning, veterinary care, and typically extensive veterinary care with follow-up medications -while accepting or rescuing new dogs as former dogs find homes.

Today, Healing Species houses approximately 25 dogs.  Within moments of placing one dog within a home, we take on another, from our long waiting list.

Yes, there is a waiting list – and that's where you come in!
Sometimes, if you call Healing Species, you might hear the answer: "We are so sorry, but we are filled to over capacity. "  That usually means we are caring for AT LEAST over 20 dogs at that time.  We call ourselves a "Sanctuary of Last Resort" meaning we prioritize taking dogs this way...

  1. Severe abuse or living within extreme indigent poverty; or suffering at the hands of cruel "guardians" by way of starvation, veterinary absence in the face of obvious injury or illness causing suffering, complete lack of shelter, or restraint so severe that the animal may not take a step forward, or tethering with obvious, subsequent, inexcusable and cruel and severe neglect.
  2. Dogs that are requested to be taken from our friendly relationship with our local Animal Control due to a particular dog being on "death row," or at the final stage of mandated laws requiring euthanasia, but whom otherwise is extremely sociable, friendly, or especially adoptable, but whom nobody else wants or claims.
  3. Dogs that are stray.

This usually means that if you are not within one of these three categories, we will likely refer you to other rescue organizations or beg of you to step up to the plate to perform your own part in making this a more humane world!  And we will help you!

Depending on resources, we may cover vet expenses for you if you are willing to temporarily house an unwanted dog.  Then, we will walk you through the 6 simple steps of finding this dog a loving forever home. In all honesty- it will actually be easier for you to find this dog a home than us because: the dog is already under your supervision, you know or are familiar with the animal, logistically- you are in closer proximity to the dog, AND YOU ONLY HAVE TO FIND  A HOME FOR THAT ONE (OR ONE AND her PUPS), while we, on the other hand, are working night and day to place dozens of dogs.  Here are the 6 simple steps- there is no magic involved, and no one at Healing Species has any special degree or license or vehicle to make this process any easier for us than it is for you.

  1. Make a decision and commitment to invest the time and finite resources to save this one animal. (If Healing Species is filled to capacity – or over-capacity – and you are not in a position to give of your time, but you are in a position to cover costs financially for this animal- that may allow Healing Species to step in when otherwise we would be too burdened.) Obviously, with 5,000 animals in Orangeburg County, SC, and 4 to 5 million animals nationwide ANNUALLY being destroyed because no one wants them, surely you realize, one small non-profit, nor any one group, can solve this problem.  It's going to take all of us working together.  Did you make a financial donation to Healing Species this year... if not, it's time to do your part now!
  2. Safely capture or attract the dog to you.
  3. Get the dog to veterinary care. The dog will typically need vaccinations and de-worming at the very least, perhaps some antibiotics, and eventually to be spayed or neutered. You may be looking at up to $500.00 in expenses, or much less of you can strike a deal with a compassionate veterinarian understanding that you are rescuing a life.  If there is an injury, skin disease, or other serious illness you may incur more expense- and at that time you would be given a choice to move forward or not.
  4. Get pictures of the dog to us as soon as possible (electronically is preferable). Send to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
    5. or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  With proof of a clean bill of health, we will post this dog on our Pet Finder web site.  Meanwhile, you can post copies of the picture with your phone number at local vets offices, high-end stores with a compassionate bent, other local business where the types of "potential parents" you would approve would come and go.
  5. Screen the calls. Be certain "for what purposes" someone wants your animal. If you'd prefer to have Healing Species receive and screen the calls on this dog's behalf, you can post our phone number upon an arrangement between us.
  6. Have a signed agreement where the new parent agrees to never harm the animal, will never tether the animal or make the animal live his or her life in a pen, and does not intend to turn around and sell the animal.

Never advertise an animal as "Free To Good Home"
Sadly, there is a business called: "Class B" Dealers, or BUNCHERS, and they specifically look for free animals or inexpensive animals to then sell to research laboratories at Universities or professional labs.  They will "bunch together," or "warehouse" many animals until they have enough collected to then transport them to New Jersey or wherever they have a research laboratory contract to provide animals used for research. That is why you must NEVER advertise an animal as "Free To A Good Home." Typically, if someone is unwilling or unable to provide at least a nominal token of value for an animal, they are not fit to support and provide adequate care for that animal – regardless of OR DESPITE GOOD INTENTIONS.

THAT'S IT! And you've just changed the world forever! "For as you have done it unto the least of these... you have done it unto me..." didn't a famous person once say! You will never realize the long lasting ripple effect of good that your sacrifice has made as you've temporarily vetted, housed, and then adopted out an otherwise doomed animal.

And guess what- YOU DIDN'T GO BROKE, YOU DIDN'T END YOUR MARRIAGE, YOU DIDN'T DIE!!  You were inconvenienced, you were perhaps late to an appointment, and you did sacrifice... but what if... what if a child was watching; what if your child was watching?  What if you planted seeds for character, for taking responsibility, for being a good citizen, for showing kindness to one in need – kindness that might one day get returned to you should you find yourself in need one day.  Kindness matters.  But it takes all of us, as a team, as a community, "as a village."    Theologian, Albert Schweitzer said it best when he said, "Man himself will not find peace until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things."

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