Who will rescue these dogs?

Today, 850 million dogs go without homes, fending for themselves in the wildnerness (Center for Dog Research).

Stray Dog Rescue is a nonprofit, volunteer organization that captures and houses stray dogs. We believe that every dog deserves to live in comfort and dignity with a loving family.

To date, Stray Dog Rescue has housed over 60,000 strays across the continental United States. Our heroic volunteers dedicate nights and weekends to searching the wilderness for dogs and capturing them in big nets. The dogs are then shipped to our rehoming facility in Tuscaloosa, AL for processing.

Pictured: In a touching display of frienship, six stray dogs share a meal. Without owners, they must resort to eating what they find on the floor. Many strays spend their whole lives outdoors, never knowing the taste of kibble or the touch of a human being.

We're always looking for more volunteers. If you're interested in making a difference in your community, visit our About page for more details. You can also make a monetary contribution on our Donate page.

"These dogs are angels. It breaks my heart that they're out there in the woods, all alone. We have to do something about this. We will do something about this."

- Kathleen Morrison, Founding Director of Stray Dog Rescue

Give a stray dog a future. Donate to Stray Dog Rescue.

An Interview with Ayehsa Hill

Stray Dog Rescue Director Kathleen Morrison sat down with Ayesha Hill, SPCA Coordinator for the Washington, D.C. metro area, for a wide-ranging conversation about the stray dog epidemic.

Kathleen: Thanks for being here, Ayesha.

Ayesha: Thank you for having me.

Kathleen: Let's start with something I've always wondered about stray dogs. Why are they so much bigger than other dogs?

Ayesha: Bigger?

Kathleen: Yes. In our experience at Stray Dog Rescue, strays are 40% larger than other dogs, on average. Why is that?

Ayesha: That's not what we've found at the SPCA. When strays come in, they're often weak and underfed, and in fact smaller than dogs in good homes. It's our job to make sure they eat well and get where they need to be, in terms of size.

Kathleen: That's very interesting. Maybe strays around D.C. are especially small. There are regional differences.

Ayesha: Maybe so.

Kathleen: My next question is about temperament. In a home setting, former strays can be anxious or even aggressive. What can owners do to ease the transition into home life?

Ayesha: That's a great question. I think most owners could benefit from the help of a professional trainer. With the type of severe behavioral problems we sometimes see with stray dogs, you might just need a little extra help. The other component is time. Building trust with a rehomed dog is in many cases a years-long process, not something that happens overnight. The best thing you can do is be patient and meet your dog where he or she is.

Kathleen: Yes, that's so vital. Thank you. What about specific problem behaviors? For instance, you're on a walk, and your dog attacks and kills a herd of deer.

Ayesha: This is hypothetical?

Kathleen: No, this happened with my dog Buster, who is a stray we rescued.

Ayesha: That's very concerning. And again, something you should probably bring to a trainer, a behavioral specialist.