Who we are
What’s in a Name
“Through the looking glass, things are not as they appear to be..”
This is never held such truth than when one looks at the many dogs in municipal shelters that are ragged, neglected, sick, injured, behaviorally challenged or otherwise “less than perfect.” Yet, when one looks past all that, what can be seen is an inner beauty just waiting to be recognized and nurtured into a healthful state. That is what we are about – taking the most unwanted of the unwanted, seeing them not for what they are but, for what they can be, dedicating the resources and the love needed to make that possibility a reality.
In a nutshell
Looking Glass Animal Rescue is an award-winning nonprofit volunteer-based animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing animals from high-kill shelters, hoarding situations, puppy mills, animal fighting rings and more. While we welcome all animals in need, we specifically focus on animals that are often overlooked due to age, breed, special need, illness or injury and frequently requiring immediate, often costly medical attention that shelters are unable to provide.
Without a rescue outlet, these animals would otherwise be euthanized due to their issues. Looking Glass Animal Rescue looks past these issues, seeing these animals not for what they are today, but what they can become tomorrow – healthy, happy family members with tons of love to give.
THE LONG EXPLANATION
How do YOU define rescue? This is a personal definition, one that every person we encounter may have a different answer for. What is shared across all viewpoints however is that animals in need of rescue, true rescue, are often those that are not “easily adoptable”, at least not in their current state.
These are the animals that we believe are in true need. They could be sitting in a shelter, withheld from public view because they are sick, injured or behaviorally challenged; they may be tied up on a chain, starved of both food and love, thirsty and otherwise broken; they may be in a puppy mill, deformed, matted and otherwise exploited.
These are but a few examples but the commonality is painfully clear – they are in the shadows, the “seen but not seen”, with stories that we all too soon would like to forget…but WE can’t. WE won’t. These are the animals whose voices, so long ago taken, are so desperately in need of being heard.
How do WE define rescue? We do not discriminate. For us, the essence of rescue looks past things like, “he/she is too old”, “too sick”, “too psychologically damaged”. In a perfect world, there are no “parameters” limiting who is in and who is out. It should only be about NEED. But unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Sadly, there are restricting factors that we face, all rescues face, and those are of “resources” – volunteer care-givers and money. So, while we will not constrain ourselves to only a certain kind of animal, we would be negligent if we didn’t consider these two very real questions before welcoming an animal into our family:
- Do we have the money to support their medical and psychological needs, without limitation and,
- Do we have the appropriate foster home for them to convalesce in, one that is committed to doing whatever is needed to get them ready for their new life no matter how long it takes?
Mission 
Saving the sick, injured, overlooked and forgotten
Vision
Working towards the day when no companion animal is euthanized for lack of a home.
Values
Authenticity
we will do what we say and will say what we do
Transparency
there are no secrets in rescue and we are committed to communicating clearly and openly in all of our relationships
Compassion
we pledge to work in collaboration with and respect toward all living beings – animal and human alike
Integrity
we will exhibit honesty and adhere to our values and principals by choosing our thoughts, words, and actions based upon what is right not upon what is convenient
Self-awareness
we will act with thoughtful purpose and welcome constructive feedback, acting responsively to community needs knowing that saving lives takes a village and we cannot go it alone.
