What Should I Look for in an Animal Rescue? 10 Tips for choosing the right fit
When I first started looking for an animal rescue to volunteer with, I had a simple goal: to help animals in need. I imagined walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and giving comfort to neglected pets waiting for their forever homes. What I didn’t realize was that not all rescues operate with the same ethics, standards, or even legal compliance. Some do incredible, lifesaving work. Others, sadly, exploit the image of rescue to cover up neglect, hoarding, or even fraud.
If you’re thinking about giving your time, energy, and heart to a rescue, here are a few things I’ve learned to look for—before I commit.
1. Cleanliness and Organization
Animals can be messy. But a good rescue should still be clean and orderly.
Walk through the facility if you can. Are the kennels or cages free of waste and excessive odor? Are food and water bowls clean and filled? Are supplies stored safely and labeled?
Disorganization can be a red flag, not just for animal care but also for the safety of volunteers and the overall management of the rescue.
2. Veterinary Care and Health Records
Ask how animals receive medical care. A responsible rescue will have a relationship with a licensed veterinarian and maintain basic health records for each animal, vaccinations, spay/neuter status, medications, etc.
Beware of vague answers like “we treat them ourselves” or “they’re fine now.” Even with good intentions, bypassing professional vet care is dangerous and unethical.
3. Transparency and Accountability
A good rescue welcomes questions. They’ll tell you where their animals come from, how they’re funded, and what happens after adoption. Ask to see their adoption protocols, intake process, and if they’re a nonprofit, their 990 filings.
If you’re met with defensiveness or secrecy, that’s a red flag. Real transparency shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth.
4. How They Treat Volunteers
Watch how staff or leadership interact with volunteers. Are you trained? Given guidance? Thanked for your time? Or are you expected to "figure it out" while being guilted into long hours or unsafe work?
A healthy rescue values its volunteers and fosters a respectful, team-based environment.
Do they require an NDA? Check out our NDA and Volunteering Blog Post HERE
5. Animal Behavior and Environment
Pay attention to the animals themselves. Do they seem socialized, clean, and well-fed? Are enrichment activities (walks, toys, playtime) part of the daily routine?
Conversely, are dogs pacing in cages 24/7? Are cats hiding, covered in litter dust, or covered in fleas? These signs may point to mental and physical neglect.
6. Adoption Policies and Follow-Up
A legitimate rescue takes adoption seriously. They should screen adopters, perform home checks (or virtual versions), and remain available post-adoption for questions or support.
“First-come, first-served” adoptions with no vetting may mean they’re prioritizing turnover over long-term animal welfare.
7. Where the Animals Come From
Some rescues focus on local shelters, others on international or high-kill regions. Both can be valid. But if you’re told animals were “saved from a meat truck in China” or “pulled from a kill shelter” without documentation THAT YOU CAN VERIFY WITH THE CDC, be cautious.
Fraudulent rescues sometimes fabricate dramatic origin stories to elicit donations or sympathy. Ask for sourcing transparency.
8. Paperwork and Legal Status
If they claim to be a nonprofit, they should be registered as a 501(c)(3), and that info should be easy to verify. Non-profit filings for most states take 2 yo 4 weeks for a straight forward application or 3 to 12 months for a more complex organization. Most rescues would qualify for the “ez-application” and should have their registration within a month of applying.
Contracts for volunteering, fostering, or adoption should be professional and clear.
Unregulated, cash-based operations without contracts or receipts are high-risk for everyone involved, especially the animals.
9. Social Media vs. Reality
It’s easy to get swept up in dramatic rescue stories and heartwarming photos online. But those moments are snapshots. Before committing, make sure the real-life operation matches what’s being posted.
Some rescues curate a fantasy online while struggling (or failing) to meet even the most basic standards of care.
10. Your Gut Feeling
If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore the red flags. If you feel uneasy about the animals’ conditions, how people talk to each other, or if something just doesn’t make sense, trust your instincts.
You can always walk away. The right rescue will be grateful for your time and care and the animals will truly benefit from it.
Volunteering should be a rewarding experience. When done right, you become a part of a team that truly changes lives. But make no mistake choosing the right rescue matters. Because when we give our time to organizations that operate unethically, even by accident, we risk becoming part of the harm.
Take your time. Ask questions. And remember: doing it right is always better than doing it fast.