WRIGHT-WAY
RESCUE

The Road To Rescue


The clock is ticking for millions of animals abandoned at animal control facilities across the Midwest. Shelters are over-crowded, many pet owners don't spay or neuter their animals, and there just aren't enough resources to go around. Wright-Way Rescue volunteers have dedicated themselves to racing against that clock to ensure that as many animals as possible are saved. But still to many animals are euthanized at rural animal control facilities throughout the Midwest. This includes many puppies and adoptable adult dogs, and many people have no idea it is happening.

Each year, we give hundreds of dogs and puppies – who otherwise would be euthanized at shelters that have run out of space and resources – the rides of their lives...HOME.

The Wright-Way Rescue transport program saves lives by relocating adoptable dogs and puppies from overcrowded shelters where they are at risk of being killed to our adoption center where they are instead in demand for adoption.

According the the SPCA 60% of dogs brought to shelters are euthanized. This percentage tends to be much higher in rural communities.

It is difficult to pinpoint why there are more dogs in the South than the North. It may be due to lack of low cost spay and neuter opportunities, warmer climates (pets spend more time outdoors loose), or less education on spaying and neutering topics.

Each animal transported to the Wright-Way Rescue Adoption Center is first transported to the WWR Admissions & Care Center located in Southern IL. Here they receive the necessary medical care they require prior to being offered for adoption. This care is provided by our on staff veterinarian and our team of veterinary technicians. Each pet being transported is required in advance: to have an interstate health certificate and a copy of their medical records, to have been quarantined for one-two weeks; to be spayed/neutered (if over four months), be at least eight-weeks-old, have a parvo/distemper and bordatella vaccine, and to have a clear label on each of their crates. Before their departure each pet is also bathed, brushed, has their nails clipped and ears cleaned in anticipation of meeting a new family to adopt them!

Animals are transported in a E450 Dodge Sprinter sponsored by the Petco Foundation. This vehicle is equipped with air conditioners and heat. In addition, there are multiple windows because it is necessary for air to be circulating at all times. Blankets are also provided in the colder months. Once on board, each pet is sent in a USDA approved travel crate. Each dog or litter rides in its own crate. The WWR team stops to check on each animal every 2 hours.

The transporting of adoptable animals from Wright-Way Rescues Admission & Care Center to the Wright-Way Rescue Adoption Center happens every Friday. It is a challenging schedule that many people dedicate much time and effort to accomplishing. The motivation to continue are the adoptable homeless dogs and cats in rural animal control facilities that will lose their lives without our help.

For more infomation about where a particular animal on on our website came from, just ask by calling our adoption hotline and speaking with one of our volunteers.





Each year, we give hundreds of dogs and puppies – who otherwise would be euthanized at shelters that have run out of space and resources – the rides of their lives -- HOME!

Yuki & Magar (meaning "lucky") were shut inside of a french fry box and tossed in a parking lot in Carbondale IL. These two kittens were luckily found before it was to late. If Wright-Way Rescue was not able to have taken them in, they would have gone to the local animal control where last year 92% of incoming felines were euthanized due to lack of adoptive homes.
Scooter a four month old Chow Chow mix puppy was at risk of being euthanized at an animal control facility in Marion IL where he had come in as a stray. Scooter had demodecic mange and the animal control he was at had no resources to treat him. Wright-Way Rescue took Scooter in, treated his skin issues, and ensured his future.
One moment Sandy Sue was a pregnant beagle wondering the streets and the next she was living in a loving foster home safe and sound with her babies. Sandy Sue was transferred to WWR's care from Wabash Co. Animal Control so that she could receive the long term care she needed to raise her puppies. Unfortunately pregnant animals are often the first to be euthanized at animal controls that cannot care for them.
Above - These puppies were raised underneath this vehicle.

Top Right - A mommy dog and her puppies in the country. Note there is no fencing to keep these puppies safe or to prevent unplanned litters.

Below - These puppies grew up in absolute filth. Note their muddy "drinking water". There are six puppies in this cage!!!

Botton Right - A single puppy left on the side of the road to fend for himself.

Macy, a 10 month old Cairn Terrier was rescued from SEMO Huimane Society, an open admissions shelter that receives thousands of dogs and cats per year. Open Admissions shelters take every animal brought to them, offering shelter and care for each pet. Unfortunately they are also forced to euthanize when their spacing is full.
These photos are from locations that Wright-Way Rescue has helped save puppies from.