Motley Zoo Animal Rescue was founded in February of 2009. More than a decade later, we have rescued and rehomed more than 2,700 animals- primarily dogs and cats...but as the name “zoo” implies, we take all kinds...as long as we have a foster home available!
Fosters and volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We are a volunteer-run, foster- based rescue which operates virtually. This means volunteers from all different locations work together, online- many times not seeing each other for weeks or months- to find homes for animals. We have more than 150 volunteers- and about half them foster the animals directly.
We also run a 7,500 sq ft dog daycare and training center in Redmond called, Rock Star Treatment (www.rockstartreatment.org)- though please understand, THIS IS NOT A SHELTER! This is where we provide the community at large dog daycare and training- from which the excess proceeds benefit our rescue. While this is an expensive undertaking and is only a bonus to the bottom line, the facility allows us many opportunities most rescues don’t have.
Through a physical presence we have been able to centralize our operation, create a physical presence in the community- as well as have another location for events, meetings and classes. However, we did not switch structure to a shelter when we established the facility- we just expanded our capacity to connect with the animal loving community around us.
Even with a facility, “Adoptable Roadie” animals still stay in foster homes and live like one of their own. They are therefore, not available for casual viewing- with the exception of some cats in our on site Cat Lounge, or those staying in partnering pet stores (Redmond Petco, Ballard Petco and Woodinville Petsmart).
The only other opportunity to casually meet our animals is at Meet & Greet Events, which we attend often. This is the only time you can meet an animal before applying to adopt- otherwise, we require the application first. It’s all the same steps as a shelter, just in a different order!
Our goal is to match you with the right pet for you- our focus is on compatibility over all else (including speed). While we work efficiently, foster-based rescue is not a same day option for adoption; it can’t be. There are many moving parts to coordinate- not least of which is your busy schedule and the fosters’
As such, we begin building a relationship with you, by getting to know you through the application- just as we have gotten to know the animals we nurse and love dearly. By knowing you and our animals well (although it may take a bit longer than visiting a shelter), we offer confidence in our matches...they last and we have a very low rate of return. While shelters offer a quicker turn around, compatbibility is really only assessed after you have arrived home with the animal...so foster based rescue can mitigate and lessen the chances of an unsuccessful match- and the animal can avoid the undue stress of being moved as well.
Our process is designed to be thorough for both the animals, and your, best interest...this means it takes time and attention to make possible.
It takes on average 3-5 days to review your application, which may depend on the time of year or the types of animals we have in care. There is always a lower supply of animals than there is a demand- but we will (sadly) NEVER RUN OUT of animals to rehome...so there is nothing to worry about.
Many people do not get the first pet they look at.
However, we can assure you, YOUR pet is still out there waiting for you- and the only way you won’t find him or her is if you stop looking. As well, when you do find him or her, you will never think about the animals you looked at but didn’t get!
So while you may be excited, anxious and want to find your soul mate animal today, keep in mind to not let enthusiasm become frustration with this process- or with us. We are here to do right by our animals and therefore you as well. We want you to find happiness forever- not just who we can put with you in the fastest time.
So please remember: adoption is a journey. There may be some ups and downs and disappointments, but it will all work out. This process is not simple, nor is it necessary quick- but it is always worth it.
Motley Zoo goes above and beyond in ways that most organizations can’t or don’t- and you will never regret adopting with us...though we are not the organization for everyone. We don’t aim to be. We aim to be first the best rescue for the animals- and through serving them in a stellar manner, we can then serve people.
As we keep applications on file, we will keep working with you until an adoption, or until you find a pet elsewhere.
We are here to help you!
We would love to have you on this journey to finding your best match in a pet! Just remember, finding a spouse doesn’t happen overnight- and very likely, neither will finding your new furry family member. The right animal will find you in time- so hang in there and go with the flow in the meanwhile. Every step is one closer to finding your furry soul-mate!
We want you- and our animals- to be happy indefinitely...not just for the moment.
Motley Zoo is a fun, music themed, volunteer-run, foster-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit WA Animal Rescue
