About Us

Rescue Waggin' Dogs Transported: 25,000 as of 2/19/09

The Pet Overpopulation Problem

Each year, six to eight million pets enter shelters and three to four million of those are euthanized simply because they do not have a home. Incredibly, some regions of the country still have euthanasia rates as high as 85 percent.

Our Solution

The Rescue Waggin’ program was created by PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of homeless dogs and puppies through partnership and collaboration with local animal welfare agencies. The program also works to proactively reduce pet overpopulation in those areas of the country that need the most help.

An innovative animal welfare program, the Rescue Waggin’ is comprised of three parts:

  • A pet transport program that transports dogs from areas of high pet overpopulation (where they face almost certain euthanasia) to shelters in areas where adoptable dogs are in demand. This program operates under professionally-developed industry standards for originating and receiving shelters, spay/neuter and animal health practices, and humane transport.
  • Funding to expand spay/neuter services for cats and dogs in source areas.
  • Funding and professional consultation to improve shelter facilities and operations for participating animal welfare agencies.

With generous support from our corporate program sponsor PEDIGREE® Brand, the Rescue Waggin' has helped save the lives of more than 25,000 dogs since it began operations in 2004. The program currently operates vehicles in the Midwest, Northeast, South Central and Great Plains regions of the United States.

Rescue Waggin’ States of Operation

Rescue Waggin' Map

To find out more about this lifesaving program, visit our newsroom to view or download the Rescue Waggin’ brochure, backgrounder, partners map and fact sheet.

Watch the video of Spunky taking “The Ride of her Life!” to her new home.

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