We Take the Guess Work Out

For us, there is no greater joy than seeing a homeless animal become a cherished family member. When you adopt from The Rescue Train, you save two lives: the one you adopt and the one that takes its place in a foster home.

We put a lot of time and effort into learning about each animal in our care in order to bring you joy and companionship! We have over two decades of experience in setting up safe, successful adoptions. Some of our animals are good with children, with other pets, and appropriate for a first-time pet owner. Other animals, with special medical or behavioral needs, require an experienced pet owner. Because we take pride in matching the right pet with the right family, we have an extremely low return rate.

What to Expect

  • We don’t own a facility. Our animals are housed in private foster homes, which gives us the opportunity to get to know their likes and dislikes, quirks and most adorable traits.
  • We are transparent about our animals’ health and temperaments.
  • Our animals have all received the veterinary care they need. All cats and dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped prior to adoption.
  • We support each adoption. We connect adopters to resources, including veterinarians, dog trainers, pet insurance companies, nutrition and supply tips, and more.
  • We screen potential adopters. Our adoption process includes an application, home check, adoption contract and donation. This is not meant to be invasive. The questions we ask help us match your needs and desires with the needs of our animals.
  • Return policy: We are a no-kill organization. If you can’t keep the pet you adopt from us, we will take it back.

They Are All So Cute! How Do I Choose?

Pets can bring so much joy and companionship into your life. We want to help you find exactly the right fit for your home and personality. Think carefully and realistically about what you expect from a pet and what kind of commitment you want to make. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a pet:

  • Cats and dogs can live up to 20 years. Are you ready to make that commitment? If not, consider adopting a middle-aged or senior animal.
  • Kittens and puppies are adorable, but they are work. Raising your kitten or puppy is a wonderful experience, but you have to be up for it. During the first year, a puppy will need socialization and training. Kittens, with their boundless energy, need stimulation.
  • Kittens are great in pairs! They will have one another to play with, so there’s less pressure on you to be home to entertain them.
  • Puppies that are littermates are not a good choice to adopt together. “Littermate syndrome” can occur, and they may over-bond with each other and not their humans.
  • If you own a senior pet, keep in mind that the senior can get annoyed or stressed by a new puppy or kitten.
  • If you want a cat or dog with a certain kind of personality, you are better off adopting an adult. When kittens and puppies mature, their personalities often change.
  • If you have a pet that is terminally ill, it is not the best time to bring a new animal into the home. It can cause stress and trigger problems for your sick pet.
  • If you are moving, it’s not a good time to get a pet. Moving is stressful for people and animals, and even worse for a new pet that you don’t have a relationship with. We recommend waiting until you are settled into your new place before bringing a new pet home.