Shelter vs Rescue

An animal shelter is a facility that takes in lost, abandoned, or surrendered animals and provides them with food, shelter, medical care, and other necessary services. Animal shelters are often operated by local governments or animal welfare organizations and may be open-admission, meaning they accept any animal that comes to their door, or they may be limited-admission, meaning they only accept certain animals or animals from certain areas.

On the other hand, animal rescue organizations are typically non-profit groups that focus on rescuing animals from situations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. These organizations often rely on volunteers and donations to operate, and they may specialize in rescuing specific types of animals, such dogs or cats, or specific breeds. Animal rescue organizations may also provide temporary foster care for animals while they are waiting to be adopted. Some rescue organizations also work on mild training and behavior and or temperament testing before allowing the animals to be adopted out.

While both animal shelters and rescues work to provide care and find homes for animals in need, shelters tend to have a broader focus on animal welfare, including animal control and adoption services. Rescues, on the other hand, may have a more narrow focus on rescuing animals from specific situations or locations.