On her 40th birthday, Allison walked in to South LA shelter, and walked out with 40 dogs. Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but to this girl, the brightest diamonds come four-pawed, cross-eyed, and mangy...

Born out of a desire to help the helpless, Allison Lynch founded Pup Squad Rescue – a 501-c3 non-profit organization dedicated to giving a new life to sick, abused, and elderly dogs abandoned at shelters. Dogs like Bubbles - the matted, blind cocker spaniel, and Sweet Lady Jane - a pitbull so beaten down by fighting and neglect we cried just looking at her…

Our goal in rescuing Bubbles, Sweet Lady Jane and others, is to nurture them until we find their phenomenal forever homes. They receive the best medical attention from Dr Earle at Antonio Animal Hospital before moving on to caring foster homes, or safe boarding - where some of our more unruly members receive one-on-one obedience training. Placing dogs can take a few days, weeks, or many months, but Pup Squad Rescue believes there is a soul mate companion out there for every one! To see bios and photos of our dogs currently available, please click here.

According to the American Humane Association, around 9.6 million animals are euthanized in the United States every year. With an average of 475 dogs euthanized daily in Los Angeles shelters alone, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer size of the pet overpopulation problem. So, Pup Squad Rescue prefers to focus on the solution. Help unwanted dogs find loving homes. Help educate the public. For, when people know better, they do better. The more we can spread the word about spaying, neutering and responsible pet care, the less we’ll see abandoned animals in the shelters. And the brighter life will be for us all!

Why is there an adoption fee?

The simple answer is rescuing dogs ain’t cheap. Pup Squad Rescue asks for a donation which goes towards the cost of shelter fees and medical bills, although rarely covers it – especially since we rescue primarily sick and neglected dogs. This means they could need antibiotics, surgery, mange dips, grooming etc. Add to that - phone bills, faxing, boarding, transporting, training, food, medications - and you can easily see that rescuing dogs is no scheme to get rich quick!

Where do your dogs come from?

The majority of our rescues are from the LA City shelters – some dogs are turned in by their owners, while others are found on the streets and left unclaimed. We focus on rescuing dogs that are due for immediate euthanization, or housed in the sick bays, where they do not get seen by the public. We rarely take dogs in from private parties and to do so we require a donation to help cover costs while it is in our care. Usually, when owners approach us wanting to give up a dog, we encourage them to work with us to help it find a suitable new home rather than resort to taking it to the shelter.

What kinds of dogs do you have?

Pup Squad Rescue does not discriminate against any dog! We have all shapes and sizes – from small motley mixed-breeds to large fancy purebreds. In fact, if you’re seeking a specific breed, please check shelters first, since at least 25% of dogs found there are purebreds. Why? Because backyard breeders and puppy mills churn out dogs with little thought to who they go to, or whether they’re spayed and neutered. The puppies then often go on to have litters themselves, which in turn spawns more litters - and so the pet overpopulation grows. By rescuing a dog, you’re not only saving a life, you’re showing that you’re committed to solving the problem rather than encouraging it.

Aren’t all shelter dogs ill, or crazy?!

No! Many dogs rescued from the shelter have upper respiratory infections that they pick up while incarcerated. They are easily treated, however, and the dogs are soon healthy and ready to go. Some have more serious medical problems that we attend to before they’re available for adoption, while a few will have on-going conditions. The same applies to their behavior. Most are a little depressed while in the shelter but perk up as soon as they’re out. Others are more shell-shocked but with a little love and attention, the tail starts wagging again! And then there are those, traumatized from abuse, who have deeper issues. Occasionally, a dog will be deemed ‘unadoptable’ due to aggression or unpredictability. And it will remain in our care. In general, however, most behavioral problems can be resolved with love, discipline, patience - and commitment!

Since our aim is to find our dogs permanent homes, we always disclose everything we know about their health and temperament. We discuss any questions or concerns you may have so that you can make an informed choice. We also offer a seven-day trial period, so that you can bring the dog back if it doesn’t work out. This almost never happens – as we take great care in matching the right dog to the right home in the first place.

The bottom line in dealing with shelter dogs is to have reasonable expectations. Some will never put a foot wrong from the moment you take them home. But as most have received poor care and little formal training, you might have to lay on the love, and practice a bit of obedience before Molly the Mutt brings you the newspaper every morning!