Bridges to Safety Animal Rescue

12/11/2025

"A stranger followed me through Walmart and asked if she could say goodbye to my dog.
I'd brought Pepper with me—a ten-year-old chocolate lab, service dog vest on, totally normal grocery run. But this woman, maybe mid-60s, had been watching us from the produce section. Following at a distance. Not creepy, just... sad.🥹
In the parking lot, she finally approached.
"I'm so sorry to bother you," she said, voice shaking. "But is his name Pepper?"
Red flags everywhere. I stepped back. "How do you know that?"
She started crying. Right there between the grocery carts.
"I raised him. Puppy raiser for Guide Dogs of America. I had him from eight weeks to eighteen months, then had to give him back for formal training. It's been almost nine years, and I think about him every single day."
She pulled out her phone. Photos of a puppy—same white spot on his chest, same expressive eyebrows. Pepper as a gangly adolescent in a blue training vest. A final photo: her hugging him, both of them crying, the day she had to return him.
"They told me he'd washed out of guide dog training because he was too social. Too friendly. I always wondered where he ended up." She looked at his service dog vest. "What does he do?"
"Diabetic alert," I said. "He's saved my life sixteen times."
I don't know why I knew that number. I just did.
She covered her mouth, sobbing harder. "He was always so good at noticing when something was wrong. Even as a puppy. He'd bring me my phone when my blood pressure medication alarm went off. I never trained him to do that. He just knew."
We stood there for twenty minutes. She told me stories—Pepper stealing socks, Pepper afraid of the vacuum, Pepper sleeping upside-down with his legs in the air. Things only someone who truly loved him would remember.
Before she left, she knelt down. Pepper walked right to her, tail wagging, and put his head on her shoulder like he'd been waiting nine years to do it.
"Thank you for keeping him safe," she whispered to him. Then to me: "And thank you for letting me see that he's exactly where he was meant to be."
I sent her a photo every week now.
And Pepper? He still sleeps upside-down with his legs in the air.
To everyone who's ever raised, fostered, or loved a dog you couldn't keep—they remember you. They carry you with them. What would you want yours to know? 💞🐶

02/11/2025

She is in Texas, but can be adopted in another state. She probably will not make it through the day unless pulled for adoption or Foster.

46.2K likes, 4969 comments. “Veronika is cleared for euthanasia and extremely urgent. She’s one of the longest residents, so she needs an out asap. She is 5 years old, 69 lbs, and so sweet. She’s exactly my kind of dog and I so wish I could take her🥲 She’s very overwhelmed by the shelter ...

02/11/2025

These great dogs are all in ocean County New Jersey. If you can’t adopt, please consider our fostering. Fostering helps dogs get acclimated in a home and makes them so much more adoptable.

🚨 Crisis Alert — Every Kennel Is Full 🚨

We are completely out of space. Every single run is full, and dogs like Ivan are running out of time.

Ivan’s story is heartbreaking. He was found as a stray, discarded like trash with sores and hot spots that are finally healing. He’s about 3 years old and such a gentle soul. During his temperament test, he showed some mild resource guarding…something not uncommon in stressful shelter settings.

Ivan loves to explore and has a bunch of volunteer friends who adore him. He’s easy to walk, good on leash, and once he knows you, his tail wags nonstop. He can be a little reserved at first, but that’s just part of his charm. He’s great with other dogs (even used as a dog tester!) and doesn’t seem to mind cats.

Ivan is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped and ready to go. But to make it out safely, he needs a 501c3 rescue. We’ve reached out to the husky groups with no luck so far. A foster could make all the difference and might open the door for rescue help.

If you can help or know someone who can, please email [email protected].
Please share far and wide as we’re in crisis, and Ivan deserves a chance.

01/11/2025

Florida friends!

Close your eyes, imagine coming home from work and walking in the door to the warmest hug you ever had in your life. Better hug than any romance novel could describe. Warm arms snuggly embracing you and a soft head laying lovingly on your chest, holding on until you feel the hard day leaving your weary body. Is this something you could enjoy every day of the year?
I would not be like any other lover you have ever had in your life. I’m not considered high maintenance, requiring only a comfy bed (it could be sharing yours if you like), a fenced in yard and your love. I am already trained, so that you don’t have worry about me putting the seat down on the toilet or picking up my things. I have no vices, and I certainly am not aggressive in any way shape or form. I will accompany you where ever you may go. I would be the perfect es**rt. I get along with everyone. I will make you feel safe and loved, as I am sure you will do for me.
Your life is lacking my presence in it. You need me and probably don’t even realize it. Now I see those wheels turning in your head. You are asking how can I get all this loving and greatness in my life? Here is what you need to do. Fill out a foster form or an adoption form and submit it. Nice Lady will call you and discuss my loving nature with you. Just show you know, the comments aren’t always monitored, thus the need for the application process. You don’t want to miss out on me being a part of your life. Love, Hercules!
Adopt Hercules by filling out an application here:
https://form.jotform.com/mcneelyfarmilyrescue/animal-foster-application-form
www.mcneelyfarmilyrescue.com/adoptions

31/10/2025

His Elephant. His Only Anchor. 🐾💔

Meet Buddy.
A gray-and-white pit bull found wandering the backroads of Texas — alone, ribs showing, eyes tired.

When rescuers took him in, he had just one thing with him: a small, stuffed elephant.
And he’s never let it go.

He carries it everywhere.
To his food bowl. To his bed.
He falls asleep holding it close, like it’s the only warmth left in the world.
Sometimes he licks it softly — as if trying to comfort it.
Or maybe… to comfort himself.

Some say it’s just a toy.
But for Buddy, it’s everything.
His story. His memory.
The only piece of his past he still trusts.

Here, inside his kennel, he waits.
Every sound makes him look up — hoping this time, someone came for him.
He doesn’t ask for much.
Just food, rest, and that little elephant.

Because when someone tries to take it away — even to wash it — he cries.
He searches. He mourns.
It’s not a toy anymore.
It’s his courage. His lifeline.

And we hope — one day soon — someone will come.
Not just for him, but for the elephant too.
That they’ll walk out together, finally home.

Maybe then, he’ll let it go.
Or maybe he never will.
Because you never forget the thing that held you together
when the whole world let you fall apart. 🐘❤️

31/10/2025

✨ Still waiting for her happily ever after… Gretchen! ✨

Gretchen is the sweetest little old lady you’ll ever meet — a petite 8.2 pounds of pure love! 💕 She’s around 8–10 years old and has the gentlest soul. Quiet as a church mouse and happiest when she’s snuggled under a blanket or curled up next to her favorite person, Gretchen is all about cozy comfort and companionship.

She gets along wonderfully with other animals and people of all ages, but because she’s so tiny, she’d do best in a home with older kiddos who understand her delicate size. Gretchen isn’t a fan of crates (she’ll politely tell you so!), but she’s a perfect little free-roamer who loves snoozing in the big bed. 🛏️

This sweet girl is fully vetted, thriving on her monthly arthritis shot, has a heart murmur and doing great on prescription kidney food — which has helped her levels bounce back beautifully. She’s potty trained but may have an occasional accident if she’s not taken out often (she’s improving all the time!).

Gretchen is calm, cuddly, and full of love — just waiting for someone to give her the forever home she dreams of. 💗

📍 Located in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, but adoptable anywhere!
💌 Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/201147330778151

31/10/2025

Britney

On September 26th this sad girl was brought in as a stray from Knox School Rd in Beloit. We were told that she had been seen being attacked by two other dogs.
What we found were old infected wounds and swelling as well as newer wounds. Her whole body had been shaved as well. (We are guessing by her owner. ) Maybe this was to better tend to her wounds? Nothing makes any sense but not much does.
Britney went to Urgent Care immediately where her wounds were cleaned and she was treated for her infections.

Right now Britney is in need of a new home and family. Her people never came for her. She is sweet. She is friendly. She loves to be loved.

Young adult shepherd mix
Dog friendly
Kids and cats unknown
70 lbs

If you are interested in this pup please send an email to [email protected] to request an application. Once approved we will contact you to set up a time to come in.

Mahoning County Dog Warden
1230 N Meridian Rd Youngstown, Ohio 44509

330-740-2205

Office hours:
M-W-F 8:00-4:30
T-TH 8:00-5:30
Sat 9:00-noon

Adoption fees vary between $200-$250. The fee is determined by the weight of the dog when they have their spay/ neuter surgery.

The fee covers spay/neuter surgery, rabies vaccine, lyme test, heart worm test, dewormer, dapp vaccine and dog license.

🎉🐶Friends of Fido is a non-profit organization that helps the dogs at the Mahoning County Dog Warden. They are offering to cover the costs of the first round of training to any dog adopted from the pound.🐶🎉

30/10/2025