START Animal Rescue

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START Animal Rescue START transports at-risk animals from high-kill shelters in CA to rescue partners in the Pacific NW. Since our founding in 2011, we have saved over 13,000 pets.
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Everyday thousands of helpless and defenseless animals both young and old are killed in Southern California shelters due to lack of homes and shelter overcrowding. Shelter Transportation Animal Rescue Team (START) is a 501©(3) non-profit organization formed in May 2011 by a group of active and concerned animal lovers—Steve Spiro, Suzanna Urszuly, and Rene Ruston—to address the horrifying issues of

animal overcrowding by providing two necessary and significant components: Transportation and Spay/Neuter. Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START) , rescues animals from overcrowded high-kill Southern and Central California shelters. We transport monthly up to 125 animals via our customized vehicle to fully vetted organizations in Oregon & Washington, where they are readily adopted into good homes. We also provide spay/neuter and medical help to the underserved communities in Riverside, Colton, Palmdale, Lancaster and other areas in need. In addition to our Transport program and Spay/Neuter program to underserved communities, we have the "Beyond Borders" program that rescues dogs out of Mexico and Dog Meat Farms in South Korea, Grassroots program to assist small rescues with seed money to rescue animals from high kill shelters. START relies on generous donations to keep its transports and Spay/Neuter services running. For more information on how you can get involved and donate visit, http://startrescue.org/donate/ or contact Steve Spiro: [email protected]. A special thanks to the generous donations from donors like you, our reputation keeps on growing, making a real difference in the animal’s lives! For more information check out our website www.startrescue.org and follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/STARTRescueTeam

🚨In the next 24 hours, our team is driving two fully unsponsored vans to save close to 50 animals from overcrowded shelt...
10/09/2025

🚨In the next 24 hours, our team is driving two fully unsponsored vans to save close to 50 animals from overcrowded shelters. Originally, we planned to send one van while our RV was in for an oil change, but when it overflowed with dogs in need, we couldn’t say no—we sent our second van, too.

🚨 We didn’t even have time to fundraise before hitting the road. That’s where you come in.

💚 A full seat sponsorship is $65, but every dollar helps. Even a partial donation goes directly toward getting these dogs out alive. And as always—💚🐾we’ll send you a photo in the mail of the exact dog you helped save.💚🐾

👉 Sponsor a rescue seat now:

Donate at:
➡️bit.ly/sponsorrescue
➡️Use the Seat Sponsor link in our bio
➡️Or visit startrescue.org and select “Sponsor a Seat” under Donation Options
💚Together, we can make sure every dog and cat on this transport gets their second chance. 🐾💚 While the world spins, we save lives.

💚ANGORA PUPdate. You may remember the sweet girl who we recently rescued from the Stanislaus shelter and who is in a fos...
01/09/2025

💚ANGORA PUPdate. You may remember the sweet girl who we recently rescued from the Stanislaus shelter and who is in a foster home now.
She has a VERY large mass on her back leg, a small one by her eye, and she needs to be spayed and get a dental too!

She had her first vet visit last week to make sure she was clear for anesthesia (she was!), and they plan on doing her surgeries all at once, tomorrow 💚🐾

Wish her luck and we hope that the mass is free of cancer. 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

💚Senior dog, DAVINA’s family didn’t want her anymore. First she was kept inside. Then she was left outside in a pen. Whe...
26/08/2025

💚Senior dog, DAVINA’s family didn’t want her anymore. First she was kept inside. Then she was left outside in a pen. When her doggie sibling ended up at the Newman Shelter and her owners contacted, they decided to just let the shelter keep her, and then they brought DAVINA too.

That could’ve been the end of the line for them, but it was the start of a whole new life.

See her story via photos going back in time…

A START staff member’s, husband’s godmother, Harriet (pictured), in New York, had been waiting for the right dog to love and spoil. We told her that we’d keep an eye out. Then DAVINA showed up needing vetting, and a home. We got her spayed, vaccinated, chipped (along with her sister), and then traveled with the staff member’s family to NYC! She was wagging and making friends before she even boarded the plane.

Now she’s “Cookie,” and she and Harriet are glued together. Lincoln Center, Central Park, the city buses—you name it, Cookie’s there. She’s soaking it all up, and Harriet is right by her side.

We’re over the moon about our NEW transport van — built to carry more BIG dogs and way more animals overallThis van has:...
14/08/2025

We’re over the moon about our NEW transport van — built to carry more BIG dogs and way more animals overall

This van has:
• A Great Dane–sized crate for our largest passengers
• A powerful AC unit to keep everyone cool
• Medical-grade walls & flooring for safety and easy cleaning
• Smooth, reliable handling for long trips

Thanks to a generous grant from The Stanton Foundation, we purchased and customized this van to help us save more lives. We can now use it for most rescues and bring the RV only when extra space is needed.

💚🐾 WYATT is one awesome country boy up for adoption near and - who is looking for a home in a rural setting! 💚🐾WYATT...
11/08/2025

💚🐾 WYATT is one awesome country boy up for adoption near and - who is looking for a home in a rural setting!
💚🐾WYATT knows how to set a playful tone and he is filled with joy and cheer. He can really get the dogs running, playing and having a good time!
He’s also just old enough that he loves to chill too.He loves naps, snuggles, and has learned to be a really good boy.
He has made so many dog friends and he adores everyone he meets!
🐾WYATT has always lived with other dogs and he thrives in a small or a large pack - because it is what he knows!

He is a young adult, 78 lbs, and just a big ole beautiful guy!

Please contact [email protected] or 804-641-6442 to meet him

🐾❤️

💚🐾 Meet JACOB (Aka Jace!) — the sweetest bestest chonky boy with a ton of heart!This 1-year-old, 67 lb goofball is all s...
10/08/2025

💚🐾 Meet JACOB (Aka Jace!) — the sweetest bestest chonky boy with a ton of heart!

This 1-year-old, 67 lb goofball is all smiles and pure good nature. Sometimes he’s a burst of playful energy, and other times he’s Mr. Lazy Bones, happiest with a belly rub and a nap.

JACE would love a friendly dog sibling, but he’s just as happy with a human who’ll take him for daily walks, toss a toy or two, and enjoy plenty of lounge time together. He’s a pro at patio dining, a GREAT leash walker, and knows how to chill like a champ.

📍 In Portland, OR
📧 contact [email protected]
💚 or Apply at startrescue.org/adopt

💚Adopted!💚 Our little HONEY BEE 🐝 was found on the streets in terrible condition in Newman, CA. After some grooming, a 1...
06/08/2025

💚Adopted!💚 Our little HONEY BEE 🐝 was found on the streets in terrible condition in Newman, CA. After some grooming, a 1500 miles transport, a dental leading to the pulling of 12 teeth, a spay surgery, a couple of months with Foster Billy (and fam) and lots of love, HONEY BEE was finally able to up for adoption! She needed the perfect family because she’s seemingly half senior, mixed with half wild puppy! This girl has some s***k 💥💕
HONEY found the perfect-fit family where she is adored and fitting right in! Congrats to HONEY and her new spectacular family! 🎉
💚Thank you to our amazing veterinarian in Gladstone, OR, the incredible “Foster Billy & Fam”, our drivers, the Newman Shelter, the dedicated Kaja, and everyone else who made her rescue possible. She may be tiny, but she is certainly mighty, and her rescue required all-hands-on-deck! 🫶🐾🎉

❤️

From starved and stuck at the shelter… to adopted and living the dream! ✨💚🐾ROSIE—now POSEY—is one of three sisters rescu...
30/07/2025

From starved and stuck at the shelter… to adopted and living the dream! ✨💚

🐾ROSIE—now POSEY—is one of three sisters rescued from the euthanasia list in Modesto. And today, we get to say the words we love most: She’s been adopted! She also has a gorgeous husky sibling who adores her! 💚🏡

When we committed to saving these girls, we didn’t have a place for them—until one START staff member offered to live with them in her garage office just to buy them time. That gave them the chance they needed… and each of them turned out to be the sweetest souls EVER. 🐾

We’re overjoyed that all three sisters are safe and loved now. Congrats to Posey and her new family! 🎉

Stay tuned for an update on the biggest sister, IRIS!

🐾🐶

🚨 SAVED FROM THE LIST! 💚Meet BABY NOVA — a sweet, affectionate, 2-year-old mixed breed (about 45 lbs) with a gentle soul...
17/07/2025

🚨 SAVED FROM THE LIST! 💚

Meet BABY NOVA — a sweet, affectionate, 2-year-old mixed breed (about 45 lbs) with a gentle soul and so much love to give. She was adopted in March... and then returned because her adopters “didn’t have time for her.” 💔

She was placed on the euthanasia list for 7/10, and her time was up — thanks to our Foster Shaunna said YES and she will be headed our way in just a few days! 🚐🐾💚
We tagged her for rescue, and now she’s SAFE and prepping for transport to on the 22nd! 🚐

💬 BABY knows “sit” and “gentle” — and her playgroup notes say it all:

“Social, friendly, playful, tolerant, avoids conflict, adjusts to the group’s energy, and knows when to relax.”

She’s everything a great dog should be, and she deserves a forever family who sees her for the gem she is.

Stay tuned for updates when she arrives! 💚
🚐

💦 Foster Holly managing to get the START kids outside - despite the heat!
17/07/2025

💦 Foster Holly managing to get the START kids outside - despite the heat!

🔥🐾 If It’s Too Hot for Your Hand, It’s Too Hot for Their Paws 🐾🔥As temperatures climb, pavement can become dangerously h...
16/07/2025

🔥🐾 If It’s Too Hot for Your Hand, It’s Too Hot for Their Paws 🐾🔥

As temperatures climb, pavement can become dangerously hot — even if the air feels comfortable. If you can’t hold the back of your hand to the ground for 5 seconds, it’s too hot for your dog to walk on.

🚫 Pavement at these temps can burn paw pads in seconds.
✅ Stick to early morning or evening walks.
✅ Use grass, dirt, or shaded paths when possible.
✅ Consider protective gear like paw wax or booties.

Please take this seriously — paw burns are painful, and preventable.

🚐🐾💚 Another trip saves 31 dogs!
11/07/2025

🚐🐾💚 Another trip saves 31 dogs!

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