There are many organizations that rescue animals from shelters and care for them.

World Animal Net
maintains a listing of over 10,000 animal protection societies.

Some groups will provide animals for Free to qualified homes, others require some reimbursement for associated costs such as spaying and neutering. Some of these groups specialize in rescuing specific breeds, such as Akitas, Dobermans, Terriers, Alaskan Malamutes, Basset Hounds, Welsh Corgis, Scotties, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherds, etc.

Often these purebreds are older or abused animals. Many come from puppy mills and ended up sick or abandoned with problems making them unsuitable for pet stores to sell. There are also many wonderful, healthy, happy purebreds who have ended up in shelters for a variety of reasons and that make excellent companions.

An extensive listing of dog rescue groups by breed can be found at Dogs FAQ/rescue and at Rescue Networks.

Senior dogs and cats make wonderful friends for children and older adults. Some animal rescue organizations (such as those found at the web sites The Senior Dogs Project and Senior Dog House and Rescue ) specialize in these kinds of pets, placing them in appropriate homes for free.

Studies have shown that elderly people who own pets benefit both psychologically and physically from having a pet companion. The theory behind this is that pets provide comfort and companionship that older people might otherwise seek from physicians. For example, the Minnesota Valley Humane Society began offering a 15 percent discount on pet adoption fees to seniors (age 60 and over) on the pet of their choice. It also participates in Purina "Pets for People" program, where seniors may receive a Free pet.

Retired greyhounds make excellent, loving pets. Greyhounds that are no longer able to race or who are unsuitable for breeding purposes are destroyed unless rescued and adopted. There are a number of groups involved in rescuing greyhounds, many are national or international in scope with local chapters and some are simply regional groups. A number of them maintain web sites:

Adopt-a-greyhound.org
provides links to web pages for greyhound adoption groups throughout the United States, Canada and also European groups.

Greyhound.org
provides links to greyhound rescue, adoption and has an e-zine.

Greyhound Rescue ;
e-mail ghr@adopt-a-greyhound.org.

Recycled Racers has information about adopting a greyhound at 303-288-1591; write c/o Wembley Park, 6200 Dahlia, Commerce City, CO 80022, or e-mail at sandyajohn@aol.com.

Greyhound Pets of America
maintains a website. They can also be reached by calling 1-800-366-1472. Their address is: P.O. Box 710141, Oak Hill, VA 20171, e-mail at GPAhound@aol.com. You may e-mail for information at MrsGreyhound@dsdial.net.

At present there are over 50 greyhound race tracks in the U.S. Many tracks such as the Phoenix Greyhound Park offer retired racers for adoption for a fee, usually $150 which covers veterinary costs plus spaying and neutering.

The Flagler Track in Florida offers greyhounds for adoption Free right at the race track but the owner is required to spay or neuter the dog.

If you live near a track or are planning a vacation near one, ask whether it has an adoption program. U.S. Greyhound Tracks has a comprehensive list of all the greyhound tracks with web sites. It provides addresses and phone numbers for tracks that do not maintain a website.

There are several ways, aside from the Internet, to find out about local or regional rescue and adoption organizations. One is by checking with local veterinary clinics and pet stores (the ones that don't sell their own pets). They usually carry flyers or cards for these groups. You can find listings for city and county animal shelters in the government listing pages of your phone directory.

World Animal Net's
website contains extensive listing of animal shelters and rescue groups as does the American Veterinary Medical Association.