Dog Squad

Dog Squad Dog Squad is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit shelter-less foster-based dog rescue organization dedicated to giving dogs a second chance.

We rescue high risk dogs from euthanasia at overcrowded shelters and provide them with a voice when they need it most. Dog Squad is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit shelter-less animal rescue organization established in 2022. We rescue many of our dogs from euthanasia at overcrowded shelters. We also take in sick, injured, abused, and abandoned stray dogs who may not have been given a second chance

otherwise. We work with dogs of all breeds, all ages, all sizes, and all medical issues. Dog Squad focuses on rehabilitating these dogs by providing them with proper veterinary care, unconditional love, basic training, and socialization as fosters until they are ready to be adopted into their furever home. Each rescue dog is fully vetted prior to adoption, which includes spay/neuter, microchipping, and vaccinations. Dog Squad is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, charitable corporation operating in Greenville, South Carolina. It is not funded by any governmental agencies. Dog Squad relies solely on donations from our supporters. Our IRS federal Tax ID is 87-3968693. WE ARE MORE THAN JUST A RESCUE. The majority of the dogs we rescue have significant and/or complex medical needs which are often costly with treatments ranging from $100s to $1,000s. People often avoid fostering homeless pets due to the related costs, and some shelters and rescue organizations do not have the funds necessary to treat the dogs’ complex medical needs. Unfortunately, those dogs miss their opportunity at receiving a second chance. Dog Squad bridges the gap by supporting other local and national rescue organizations, as well as other foster families, by providing them with the funds needed for the medical treatment of their injured and/or sick rescue dogs.

Squad foster Carl is all of us waiting for Friday to get here. He’s officially our spirit animal. 😂Speaking of Friday—to...
10/07/2025

Squad foster Carl is all of us waiting for Friday to get here. He’s officially our spirit animal. 😂

Speaking of Friday—tomorrow is a big day for Carl! He’s heading to to be neutered. Once he’s recovered, Carl will be fully vetted and officially ready to find his forever home.

We’ll never know Carl’s actual age, but our vet’s best guess is 8–9 years old. What we do know is that Carl is one of the happiest souls we’ve ever met. He’s dog-friendly, cat-friendly, human-friendly. Honestly, Carl is just… Carl. Pure joy wrapped in a scruffy little 62 lb package.

It’s been a busy and expensive week at Dog Squad, and we could really use your help covering the cost of Carl’s neuter. Every dollar makes a difference, and all donations are tax-deductible.

💙 Venmo: DogSquadSC (under “charities”)
💙 PayPal: link in bio + story
💙 Credit/debit: www.dogsquadsc.org (“Donate Now” on the homepage)

And if you think Carl might be your missing puzzle piece, submit an adoption application at www.dogsquadsc.org/adopt. Let’s find this good boy the loving home he deserves. 🏡🐾

This is such an important topic to understand. Littermate Syndrome is a very real and often misunderstood phenomenon tha...
10/07/2025

This is such an important topic to understand. Littermate Syndrome is a very real and often misunderstood phenomenon that can lead to serious behavioral and developmental issues. It’s exactly why Dog Squad will NEVER adopt out sibling puppies—or even two UNRELATED puppies close in age—into the same home. Any rescue, shelter, or breeder allowing this is not acting in the best interest of the dogs and is being incredibly irresponsible.

Have you heard of LITTERMATE SYNDROME? If not, keep reading!

We see the comments often. People asking us to adopt out bonded siblings together. We understand the intention behind it. It feels right, even loving, to want dogs who grew up together to stay together forever.

But in reality, keeping sibling puppies together can do far more harm than good.

There is a behavioral phenomenon called littermate syndrome that can happen when two puppies, especially from the same litter or close in age, are raised together in the same home. Despite the heartwarming idea of lifelong companionship, littermate syndrome often leads to serious emotional and behavioral issues for both dogs.

So what is littermate syndrome?

Littermate syndrome refers to a pattern of developmental and behavioral problems that can occur when two puppies are raised in the same home. This can include:
🐾 Extreme attachment to each other and difficulty functioning when separated
🐾 Lack of individual development, which leads to poor socialization with humans and other dogs
🐾 Increased fearfulness and anxiety, especially in new situations
🐾 Difficulty in training, as the dogs focus more on each other than their handler
🐾 Aggression or conflict as they mature and develop different personalities

These issues can begin as early as 8 to 10 weeks of age or may not appear until adolescence. The effects can be long-lasting and very difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.

What does this mean for adoption?

Veterinarians, trainers, and behaviorists strongly advise against adopting sibling puppies, or even two unrelated puppies close in age, at the same time. Many reputable rescues and shelters, including ours, follow this guidance and do not adopt littermates out together. This is not a rule based on convenience. It is based on real experience and our desire to set each dog up for long-term success.

Puppies are kept together in foster when young, but as they grow, allowing them both to flourish on their own is what is best for everyone! Our goal is not to separate loving siblings. It is to prevent them from becoming overly dependent on each other and missing out on healthy development.

But what about kittens?

This is an important distinction. Kittens are very different from puppies. In fact, kittens thrive when adopted in pairs. They learn social skills from each other, burn off energy through play, and are far less likely to develop behavioral problems when they have a feline companion. For kittens, being adopted together is often the healthier, more compassionate option.

What is best for the dogs?

The best path forward is for each puppy to be adopted into a loving, committed home where they can:
🐾 Form a strong bond with their human family
🐾 Build confidence and independence
🐾 Be properly socialized with a variety of people, animals, and environments
🐾 Receive individual attention and training

Dogs are incredibly adaptable. Within days or weeks of settling into their new homes, they form new bonds and begin to thrive. In many cases, puppies that were separated from their littermates go on to live happier, more emotionally balanced lives than those who stayed together.

We know it’s hard.

We love these animals deeply. We want what is best for them, not just what feels right in the moment. And in this case, what is best is helping each puppy grow into a confident, well-adjusted dog on their own.

Thank you for trusting us to make decisions based on the dogs’ long-term well-being. That is always our priority.

🎉 Gotcha Day Extravaganza 🎉Join us this Sunday, July 13 from 2:30–5:30 PM at  for a celebration like no other!This paw-s...
09/07/2025

🎉 Gotcha Day Extravaganza 🎉
Join us this Sunday, July 13 from 2:30–5:30 PM at for a celebration like no other!

This paw-some party is for every rescue and foster pup whose birthday is a mystery—but whose Gotcha Day deserves to be celebrated BIG! 🐶💛 Whether you adopted your pup years ago or just joined the rescue community, this day is for YOU.

✨ Here’s what to expect:
– Treats for the doggos
– Food truck eats from (serving 2:30–6 PM)
– Awesome local pet vendors
– Adoptable Dog Squad foster pups ready to meet their future families
– Donations collected throughout the day to support Dog Squad 🐶

🛍️ Vendor lineup:


paws.boutique pawcakes



Come celebrate the dogs who’ve changed our lives—and help support the ones still waiting for their Gotcha Day. 🐾

📍 Traveler’s Taproom | Sunday, July 13 | 2:30–5:30 PM

09/07/2025

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you. Because of your generosity, Yeti is officially on his way to living a pain-free life. ❤️‍🩹

This morning, we dropped the big guy off at Riverside Vet, where board-certified surgeon Dr. Morrison will perform his TPLO surgery. It’s a major procedure with a long, challenging recovery—especially for a dog Yeti’s size. We’re looking at 10 weeks of strict rest, crate time, and careful monitoring.

Once he’s healed, we’ll begin preparing for surgery on his other leg.

We’re not going to lie—this morning was tough. Dropping a foster off for surgery is part of rescue life, and usually, we can handle it without getting emotional. But today felt different. Yeti is different. Maybe it’s the rollercoaster we’ve been through with his medical journey. Or maybe it’s just the way he’s worked his way into all of our hearts. Whatever it is—this one hit hard.

We know he’s in the best possible hands with Dr. Morrison, but we’ll still be counting down the hours until we get to bring him home.

Our biggest needs for Yeti right now are Pill Pockets and Dasuquin, both of which are on our Amazon Wishlist—and the pill pockets are discounted for Prime Day today! If you’d like to donate, you can find the link below.

Thank you, again, for showing up for Yeti the way you have. He may not know it yet, but his life is forever changed because of you.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1K0F6HV6BZ8HG?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLbS1RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkGlyjOfUWAfJlKIVAqWrr5PanhJQarDxm-qDPqJczvmwSgjjxgXT_xFnfGZ_aem_6UAIs8KgmXvG4hU0teZDuQ

To everyone who has already donated—thank you. Truly. From the bottom of our hearts.We hate being here again. We hate ha...
09/07/2025

To everyone who has already donated—thank you. Truly. From the bottom of our hearts.

We hate being here again. We hate having to beg. But tonight, with Squad foster Yeti’s surgery just hours away, we are staring down a hard truth: we aren’t sure we can cover the rest of his bill.

Last week, we put down $2,500—half of the estimated total cost—to reserve his TPLO surgery. It was a stretch, but we knew we had to try. Yeti can’t wait any longer. His mobility has sharply declined, and he is clearly in pain. We are desperate to get him out of it.

We are not a big organization. We are a foster-based, 100% volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit that survives solely on donations. That means when emergencies hit—or when vet bills run higher than expected like they did today with Andi’s surgery—we feel it deeply. And we scramble.

Today, Andi’s spay came with some surprises (don’t worry—she’s okay and back home recovering!)… but her bill came out to double the estimate. That alone would have hit us hard. But with Yeti’s surgery tomorrow, we are beyond stretched.

We do have $3,350 in Yeti’s GoFundMe. But here’s the catch: because we are a registered nonprofit, GoFundMe doesn’t release funds until the end of the month—on the 26th. That does nothing for us tomorrow, when the remaining balance for Yeti’s surgery is due.

Y’all, we are out of options. We are asking—begging—for help.

Yeti is worth it. Every penny. Every sleepless night. Every tear. He is the sweetest, gentlest soul who has survived so much. He deserves to walk again without pain. He deserves to feel like the best version of himself. And we are not giving up on him now.

If you are able, please help us cross the finish line. No amount is too small. And every single dollar helps.

💙 Venmo: DogSquadSC (listed under “charities”)
💙 PayPal: Link in our bio and stories
💙 Website: www.dogsquadsc.org
💙 Or call directly to donate by phone: 864-469-4524

All donations are tax-deductible. And if you’re not able to give, please consider sharing this post. That alone can make a huge difference. 🙏🏼

Thank you, truly. We cannot do this without you.

07/07/2025

Y’all, here’s the truth: Yeti’s mobility has declined just in the past couple of weeks—and that’s exactly why we’re rushing to get his first TPLO surgery done on Wednesday.

We realized we’ve never really explained what TPLO is… or why it’s such a big deal. So let’s break it down, plain and simple:

The CCL (Cranial Cruciate Ligament) is the dog equivalent of a human ACL. It’s the major ligament that keeps the knee joint stable. When it fully ruptures, it causes intense pain, swelling, and instability. Left untreated, it leads to arthritis and eventually makes it extremely difficult—or impossible—for a dog to walk normally.

Now, here’s where it gets even harder for dogs like Yeti:
Giant breeds carry a lot of weight, which puts enormous pressure on already unstable joints. Once one knee goes, they start compensating and putting too much strain on the other—and more often than not, that second knee gives out too. In fact, 60% of dogs who tear one CCL will tear the other within a year.

Yeti is part of that 60%.

When we rescued him last November, one CCL was already torn. At some point after that, the other ruptured too.

Why is this more serious for dogs like Yeti?
Because they’re big. Like, 120+ pounds big. Resting them isn’t easy. Getting up becomes a struggle. Walking to go outside hurts. The pain becomes constant, and their joy starts to dim.

In smaller dogs, conservative treatment options—like medication, braces, supplements alternative therapies—can sometimes be enough. But in giant breeds? It doesn’t cut it. The pain doesn’t go away, and their quality of life declines quickly.

TPLO stands for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy. It’s not just about fixing the torn ligament—it restructures the knee joint so it can function without that ligament at all. Metal hardware is implanted to stabilize the joint.

Without TPLO, Yeti’s pain will only worsen.
Eventually, he won’t be able to get up on his own.

That’s not the life we want for him.
That’s not the life he deserves.

And who wants to adopt a dog with two untreated ruptured CCLs?

We were able to make a $2,500 downpayment to secure his surgery slot. But now we need your help raising the rest.

If you’ve already donated—thank you. Truly.
If you’re just learning about Yeti’s journey—thank you for reading.
And if you feel moved to give, even a few dollars—it would mean the world to us and to Yeti. No amount is too small to make a real, lasting impact.

💙 Venmo: DogSquadSC (under “charities”)
💙 PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/XACXLRFPVBYX2?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeX1kDpAOdelCOGiQ0EpcrcpTPrRyHPCuct2j4zl556xYP4AOYmf0DMdDyVPA_aem_oATGbGT7rpGHUMKRa4yTsg
💙 Credit/debit: www.dogsquadsc.org

Dog Squad is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.

To everyone who worried that moving to a new foster home might set Andi back—let this put your mind at ease. It’s been l...
07/07/2025

To everyone who worried that moving to a new foster home might set Andi back—let this put your mind at ease. It’s been less than 12 hours, and this girl is already thriving!!

A huge shoutout to Madelyn and Mike for stepping up and opening their home (and hearts) to Andi. She’s already starting to settle in, thanks to the calm, consistent love they’re showing her. It’s beautiful to watch.

Tomorrow, Andi heads to Riverside Vet for her spay—a big step on her journey to finding a forever home. Once she’s healed, we’ll begin the search for her perfect match.

But we need your help to make that next step possible. Her spay appointment is essential, and we could really use some support covering the cost.

If you’re in a position to give, thank you. Every single dollar counts—truly. No amount is too small to help us keep saying yes to dogs like Andi.

🩷 Venmo: DogSquadSC (under “charities”)
🩷 PayPal: Link in bio & stories
🩷 Credit/debit: www.dogsquadsc.org

Dog Squad is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.

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