Frost Fund’s Red List Rescue program focuses on highlighting one dog at a time that needs saving. This is done with the goal of raising awareness of this dog to expose them to potential new owners. Frost Fund is then able to assist the owners through the process of adopting the dog with the contributions of our generous donors. But how does this process affect the dog in question?

Frost Fund has had the Red List Rescue program as a core part of our operation from day one, with the purpose of saving dogs that are most vulnerable and at risk of being euthanized, while also supporting potential adopters that may be willing to adopt but aren’t able to due to distance or financial complications. Of course, saving these animals is what matters at the end of the day, but how do they view this process? After all, their perspective can be just as important and eye opening as the human one, and the focus is on saving them.

Shelter dogs come from various backgrounds and circumstances. Some are relatively benign compared to others, such as a runaway or a dog that was turned in because their family relocated or simply could no longer care for them. However, others may have experienced more traumatic situations such as abuse or abandonment. Regardless of their background, these dogs then find themselves in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people, and surrounded by dogs who they may or may not get along with. Needless to say despite the best efforts of shelter staff this is a naturally high stress environment that is extremely confusing, frightening and can quickly become emotionally unhealthy to the dogs.

These animals might consistently witness other canines come and go for different reasons. Some may be getting adopted or some may be going to the vet, regardless of the reasoning it only adds to the confusion and stress these dogs endure. In addition to all of this uncertain movement, they are most likely and repeatedly exposed to new potential adopters with very little concept of why they keep meeting new people and the nature of the interactions. Even with the good intentions and effort devoted into making shelters as comfortable as possible, it is by nature a confusing and stressful experience for any animal. The best solution to comfort these animals then, is to get them out of the shelters as quickly and as often as possible.

Now imagine a dog that is part of the Red List Rescue program. Instead of being continually confined to a kennel, they are taken outside of the shelter and allowed to meet with new people who are excited to get to know them and interested in adopting them. This alone alleviates the stress of shelters, but it goes further than that. These dogs are individually matched to their perfect adopters in person when possible, and then Frost Fund is able to facilitate the safe transport of this animal to their new forever home. This dog has gone from either living on the street or worse, to the stress of a shelter, to then being cared for and introduced to their new family.

Of course, we truly can only imagine the feelings or perspective of shelter animals but it is important to take any shelter animal’s experience into account when adopting. Each and every one of them deserves the opportunity for a new perspective and a new story. Thankfully all the dogs that have been on the Red List Rescue and were in danger of euthanasia are now safely living with their adopters and have received their new story. This is the difference Frost Fund makes in the lives of the animals we help, not just by saving them, but by showing them how amazing life can be when all they have known prior is the cold walls of a shelter. Remember, we wouldn’t be able to help these wonderful animals find their forever homes if it weren’t for our amazing donors and we continue to need your support. If you would like to donate and be a part of the Red List Rescue team the methods to do so are linked below.

Image Credit: Animal Legal Defense Fund

• Zelle: teamfrostfund@gmail.com (Preferred because it doesn’t charge us service fees to withdraw.)
• Venmo: @frost_fund