Team Stinkykiss - The Shelter Rescue Project is a foster-based rescue that focuses on finding homes for dogs in high kill shelters across the CSRA area (Augusta, GA Metro and surrounding)
We do not have a shelter facility. The Shelter Rescue Project, Inc., also known as Team Stinkykiss, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescuing and rehoming of abandoned and homeless animals with a pri
mary focus on dogs from local high-kill shelters in the Central Savannah Region Area (CSRA). By working with our committed volunteers, loving foster homes, local veterinarians, and animal shelters, we are able to rescue and provide them with loving temporary care and ultimately place them with well-matched, carefully screened, forever homes. We also serve as a resource to our community and all pet owners, by working diligently to educate the public on the importance of Spay and Neuter, Microchipping, Adoption, responsible pet ownership, and the humane treatment of animals. If you are interested in helping to support our Rescue Project by Volunteering, Donating, Fostering, or Adopting please feel free to contact us, as the need is great and our numbers few!!! Email [email protected]
Here is a breakdown of our rescue model by topic -
Housing of Rescue Animals - Our rescues are placed in approved and verified foster homes, with safety, foster capability, and cleanliness being of primary concern. The targeted number of rescue dogs living with one foster is 1-2 (very rarely, 3) per home. There is an exception with litters, in which case only one litter per foster is allowed. If puppies do not get adopted as babies and reach maturity they are absorbed by other foster homes so one person does not get overwhelmed. Another exemption is when one foster is traveling or needs a short-term pet sitter. In these cases, other fosters absorb those rescue pet(s) until their designated foster returns. These are short term placements and safety and quality remain in the forefront. In rare situations we do have to board rescues, for a multitude of reasons (dog aggression/cat aggression are most common reasons). The owner of the boarding facility we partner with is actively involved in rescue operations. In boarding cases we team with trainers to work with the animals to maximize their adoptability, in addition to the boarding facility owner working with them daily. This facility is visited frequently. Foster and Adopter Home Verifications - Home visits are performed on every foster or adopter, 100% of the time. In cases where face-to-face is not possible, we utilize technology to do virtual home visits via FaceTime and Skype. Why do we do this? To ensure the environment is safe for the animals. They survived hell once, its our mission to make sure they never experience it again. Home visits are performed by TSK Directors or experienced and trained fosters and volunteers who serve on our "Home visit team". Lastly, TSK pets are indoor pets, integrated into the home and family structure. 100% of our rescues in foster homes live indoors, we require the same from our adopters. No exceptions. If one of our adoptees or foster pets is discovered to be living exclusively outdoors we are within our contractual boundaries to reclaim said pet. Foster and Adopter Counseling - We do not allow blind adoptions or fosters (blind means unverified or unchecked). Blind placements are dangerous and do not ensure the longterm safety of a pet. We get to know our adopters and new fosters to ensure that we are placing animals into their home who are suitable for their human's family structure, needs and lifestyle. Our goal is to ensure that the animals we save live the best life possible, we do not believe that 'any home' is a 'good home' (there is a reason most ended up with us, typically because just 'any home' wasn't good enough). We believe this is our obligation to them, as their rescuers. We also do it to protect adopters and fosters. A happy adopter/foster means a happy dog or cat for life, not just the honeymoon phase. Our adoption process can take time. Please be patient and understand we are looking out for you as well as the animal. We are invested in our rescues, they live with us, sleep next to us, travel with us and are an important part of our homes and lives. Their ongoing health, safety and happiness is our top priority. Our process is beneficial to adopters as well, they know what they are adopting. Adoption Contract - Our adopters sign a contract binding them to providing food, water, indoor shelter, healthy socialization, and veterinary care to their adopted pets, for the life of the pet. They are also contractually required to return any animals they can no longer keep to TSK. Surrendering TSK pets to shelters or other rescues or third parties is punishable by fine, per our adoption contract. Animal Intake - Being foster based there is only so much space. We will not overload our fosters. When people are overwhelmed quality is compromised. TSK's priority is to help animals in government shelters in the CSRA first however, we reserve the right to help strays, owner surrenders and distance shelters when called upon or needed, if space allows. We are not a sanctuary; therefore, we are unable to accept long-term behavioral or psychological cases that prevent an animal from being adoptable. Safety - We make every effort to ensure the health and temperament of every animal we take in to ensure the pet is suitable for foster and adoption. Since TSK pets live in foster homes, we know how our pets will behave in a home and seek adopters who are good matches for the needs of the pet. Adopters are informed of their new pet's behaviors and in-house performance during their time with us prior to adoption. Vetting - Every TSK animal is provided veterinary care (including vaccinations, spay/neuter, and specialized veterinary needs) by licensed DVMs. TSK will not purchase or administer over-the-counter vaccinations. All animals adopted from TSK are provided legal vaccinations, spay or neuter, worming, up to date heartworm status and microchip. Heartworm dogs are provided doxycycline and started on slow kill treatment under veterinary supervision. In rare cases where an underlying medical issue presents itself after adoption and the condition dates back to the animal being in our rescue, TSK will work with adopters to treat the issue, or take the dog back if so desired by the adopter. Rescue Finances - TSK Directors (Board Members), Foster's and Volunteers are strictly voluntary. TSK does not have paid staff, with the exception being payments to our boarding facility, and trainers who are going above and beyond the call of duty to help an animal (an example being our trainer travelling to the coast to assist an adopted dog with challenges from past trauma). TSK has a business bank account, for which personal expenses are not comingled. 100 percent of our donations are applied to rescue operations, unless specifically allotted for the veterinary care of a specific animal. In cases of overages on a specific animal's veterinary account, those donations are applied to the veterinary needs of another TSK rescue pet. General rescue donations (not earmarked for a specific pet per donor wishes) and adoption fees are used for: vetting, shelter pull fees, pet supplies (crates, wormer, TSK tags, etc..), operations needs (event fees, marketing materials, fundraising expenses). Food donations - unused food donations are redistributed where they can be utilized to help animals in need. Licensing and Tax-exemption - TSK is a SC Charity, verifiable on the Secretary of State's website. We are also a federal 501-c3 (charitable organization). Euthanasia - TSK is a no-kill rescue however, in cases of terminal illness, pain or suffering, TSK will humanely euthanize under veterinary guidance. This service is only performed by licensed DVMs. We hope that this helps you better understand our operating practices. It is our goal to provide a rescue you can trust and feel good about supporting. Not all rescues are created equally, there are good ones out there and that is exactly what we strive to be. We don't claim to be perfect (nobody is) but we sure try to be, because we value our supporters, our team, our partners and most of all, our Stinkers.
