Does anyone ever say ‘My career path of choice is to be an animal rescuer?”

When we decided in 2007 to consider starting a 501c3 non-profit organization, we had realized that we lived in a remote area of Bedford County that showed up on every doggy GPS with a beacon that said ‘drop off dogs in this area.’  Over the course of 8 years (from 1995 to 2003) in the area, we actually adopted 3 dogs – a cocker spaniel and two retired racing greyhounds.  And we had ‘accumulated’ two adult black chows whose family moved away and left them, a tiny red chow baby who appeared in our yard during a blizzard, and a pregnant pittie who delivered 10 puppies in a covered greyhound crate on the front porch (with a heater close by) on a cold night in February.  I’ve now come to realize that this was God’s way of directing our path into animal rescue because keeping all of them was NOT an option!

In January 2008 we took the leap and incorporated All-American Mutt Rescue and started the process to get our 501c3 non-profit status. So many decisions, so many dogs in need, so much anxiety, but the only choice at that point was to dive in and paddle as fast as we could.

Literally 16 years and thousands of dogs later, we are still committed to the animals. Our goal is still to help them forget anything negative in their pasts, to never let them feel like they are homeless or unloved, and to find them the best homes and families possible so they can live happily-ever-after.

Dogs have come into AAMR over the years for many reasons.  We have pulled dogs from area public shelters, some picked up as strays while others have been surrendered by owners for various reasons.  Some have lost the only families they have ever known due to their humans no longer being able to care for then or passing away.

Female dogs, some just puppies themselves, have come to us pregnant, litters of puppies have come to us (with and without moms) from owners or other shelters, rowdy youngsters have come to us in need of some love and structure, sweet adults have come to us just ready to find someone to love them, senior dogs have come to us grieving the loss of their humans or feeling unloved, dogs with medical needs have come to us needing veterinary care to help them get ready to re-start their lives.

Some come and go quickly.  Some need more medical care or training than others, so their stay is a bit longer.  Some stay … and stay … and stay … and anyone who has met them have no clue why!

Thanks to amazing ambassadors for AAMR, our reputation for being compassionate and caring with animals has spread and we have stayed very busy playing matchmaker for pups and humans.  

Please remember that we are all volunteers.
   If you can't adopt, please consider fostering.  Giving of yourself to a pup feels good.

Please remember that we are supported 100% by donations.  When the economy is difficult, rescues are hit as hard, sometimes harder, than families.  Foster dogs still need food and veterinary care, and every donation is of major importance.