Let's write a happier tale for dogs in 2026

2025 was a year of both heartbreak and hope. So far, we’ve rescued 43 dogs, too many on euthanasia lists. We celebrated 39—and counting—incredible dogs who found their forever homes, thanks to you: our donors, volunteers, fosters, and partners. And yet the reality is undeniable and unbearably hard:

Shelters are in crisis. Overcrowding, record owner surrenders, and unchecked breeding have pushed the system beyond its breaking point.
The real cost of rescue is rising. Medical bills, food, boarding, transport—every dollar stretches, but it’s never enough. And, as vet care sky rockets alongside inflation, more dogs are getting surrendered to overcrowded shelters.
We need to grow. To meet this urgent moment, Real Good Rescue has to expand our team, our fosters, and our donor base so we can save more lives.

This year, we’ve seen more dogs than ever entering shelters, only to face the unthinkable: being euthanized simply because there’s no space left.

At Real Good Rescue, we refuse to accept this as normal and we make sure to pause to celebrate all the wins in what’s been a very heavy year:

We pulled 43 dogs from dire shelter conditions, many on euthanasia lists.
We provided urgent medical care for dogs like Piper and Rita whose life-saving surgery each cost more than $7,000.
We grew our foster network, placing dogs in safe homes instead of crowded kennels.

These are wins worth celebrating. But the truth is we are standing at the edge of a breaking point. Some days it feels like we’re passed it.

The real cost of rescue isn’t just food and vaccines—it’s surgeries, medications, transports, boarding fees when fosters are full, and the long hours our team spends fighting for every dog’s chance.

And right now, the system is in crisis. More dogs. More costs. More heartbreak than ever.

The shelter crisis has never been more dire—but you have the chance to double your impact. A matching donation is on the line, and we need your help to unlock it. Every dollar you give right now will be matched to cover the real costs of rescue.

That’s why our goal is bigger this year. With your help, we can:

Save more dogs like Jamie, Lacy and Barry from overcrowded shelters.
Expand our foster and adoption programs.
Grow our Real Good Rescue team so we have the people and infrastructure needed to keep fighting.

Your gift today isn’t just a donation—it’s an investment in turning the tide of this crisis.

🐾 $50 covers food and supplies for a rescued pup.
🐾 $100 helps with vet exams and vaccines.
🐾 $500 supports urgent boarding or medical needs.
🐾 $1,000+ powers team growth so we can scale our impact.

Right now, every gift will go twice as far. Thanks to a group of generous supporters, donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

That means your $50 becomes $100, your $250 becomes $500—all to save more dogs from overcrowded shelters and, even worse, euthanasia lists..

Dogs can’t wait. Not when their lives are on the line. Please make your year-end gift to Real Good Rescue today.

Together, we can meet this urgent moment with grit, heart, and the will to save them all.

Thank you to our Real Good Sponsors:

Real Good Heroes Needed for Real Good Dogs

Let's write a happier tale for rescue dogs in 2026