Our intake process is structured, intentional, and rooted in both compassion and protocol, because the first hours and days of rescue can define the rest of a dog’s journey.
Check-In & Documentation: We start by creating a detailed initial intake file that includes the dog’s background and current medical status.
Physical Exam: Our team gives each dog a bath at Headquarters before moving them to a foster home. This is to mitigate the spread of any diseases, and also to check for injuries, parasites, and overall body condition.
Immediate Medical Care: Dogs receive an initial deworming, flea/tick treatments & preventatives, as well as Heartworm testing. Other diagnostics are run by our veterinary partners as needed.
Care Plan: Based on health and behavior, we assign each dog a care plan. A nutritious diet and appropriate supplements are a high priority for us. Proper nutrition not only facilitates healing and boosts immunity, but increases overall health and life expectancy.
Dogs are placed in appropriate housing—isolation (for medical/symptom monitoring), a foster home to decompress, or quarantine protocols when required.
Intake isn’t just paperwork—it’s the foundation of effective rescue.
We take in the majority of our dogs through one of two avenues:
Owner surrenders are accepted on a case-by-case basis.
How do we choose who to save?
Bully breeds are the most frequently euthanized dogs in North American shelters, and North Carolina consistently remains in the Top 3 states for euthanasia (2025).
Because we cannot save every dog, we have to be selective in the dogs we pull. Prioritizing highly adoptable dogs allows us to make the greatest impact.
Our top priority is that a dog is people‑friendly, followed closely by being dog‑social. With the current overpopulation crisis, single‑dog homes are increasingly difficult to find, so social dogs have a far better chance at placement. Beyond those core requirements, most other challenges can be managed. We also specialize in committing to dogs with both immediate and long-term medical needs if the resources are available.
Stray Animals:
We can not directly take in strays dogs, unfortunately. Laws and governances vary by county. In Moore County, a 72-hour stray hold is required. Visit our Resources tab for guidance on lost and stray animals.
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