Rescue is a volunteer job.
Finding new homes for displaced rescue dogs and educating the public about their chosen breeds are two of a rescue's purposes. 

Ohio Great Dane Rescue was started by 
Nichole Monahan and Kim Kadel
in an effort to assist Danes in need within the community.

What is "A Reputable Animal Rescue"?

• A reputable rescue has a contract, screens every potential adopter with a MANDATORY home visit before a pet is placed there, incl. foster/temporary basis and requires references.

• A reputable rescue follows through on contacts and references and investigates each thing completely.

• A reputable rescue has references from shelters in their area and works with those shelters.

• A reputable rescue checks on the care of the previous or current pets with the vet, to ensure future pets will have proper medical attention.

• A reputable rescue spays/neuters all pets before placement.

• A reputable rescue makes sure animals are up to date on all vaccines, and microchips where appropriate to ensure all pets are healthy, up to date on all shots, heartworm tested/on prevention, and received necessary vet care before placement.

• A reputable rescue always takes its adopted animals back if the placement isn't successful.

• A reputable rescue keeps animals in foster care, or in situations where the animal was at a shelter, works with shelter staff for a short period of time before placing them, to screen for health or behavior problems.

• A reputable rescue helps educate new adopters, and may require adopters to participate in training courses to assist in a good adoption.

• A reputable rescue always returns calls or emails in a timely fashion.

• A reputable rescue works carefully to match up the right forever home with the right pet, based on the pet's needs/personality/etc.

• A reputable rescue will help adopters make decisions about which animal is a good fit for their home, and will offer advice and assistance on meeting the correct animal for the adopter.

• A reputable rescue may ask that all family members and resident pets meet the new animal before an adoption is finalized. Where breed appropriate, several meetings may be required. 

• A reputable rescue will never ask an adopter to take an animal "sight unseen" or take an animal arriving in on a transport right to a new home.

• A reputable rescue makes an effort to work in harmony with the shelters, humane societies and animal control facilities in their own area or state.

• A reputable rescue will have a cordial and informed relationship with other rescues.

• A reputable rescue is not for profit, and works on adoptions, not sales.

• A reputable rescue takes responsibility for the animals adopted through them for the span of each animal’s life, not "just” for the span of foster care or transport.

• A reputable rescue carefully screens incoming animals for temperament and health, and has met and interacted with animals being offered for adoption.

• A reputable rescue does not offer animals to be used for breeding, and should not promote animals with unstable or unknown temperaments.

• A reputable rescue never places an animal as a surprise to the intended adopter.

• A reputable rescue never places an animal as a gift to the intended adopter. The rescue will always involve the recipient in the decision to adopt as well as the application, home visit, and selection of the pet.

• A reputable rescue places the welfare and happiness of the animal first, and screens the homes to ensure that the placement is a sound one for that animal.

• A reputable rescue will never “hurry up” a process, or waive requirements simply for the convenience of the adopter.

• A reputable rescue requires an application form and adoption contract.

• A reputable rescue requires an adoption contract which includes a legal clause to have the pet returned to this rescue if the new adopter relinquishes it.

• A reputable rescue prioritizes working with shelters and owner-surrenders from within its own state first.

• A reputable rescue prioritizes rescue animals from its own geographical area whenever possible.

• A reputable rescue requires a legal release form for owner-surrenders.

• A reputable rescue understands the limits of its resources; does not accept more animals than it has legal authority or space/time to care for.

• A reputable rescue is recommended as a "good breed rescue group" by at least two established non-profit shelters in its own state.

• A reputable rescue operates as a not-for-profit entity.