Editorial Note: This is part of a series that profiles the recipients of Lady Freethinker’s Urgent Need Fund 2024 grant program. The program was created to support nonprofit organizations involved in animal rescue and care, and those that promote better treatment of animals. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, click here.
After adopting Shasta, the first dog she fostered, Kristen Johnson became curious about Shasta’s backstory and learned she had been living outside on a reservation with her six puppies. Johnson started offering to help other animals on the reservation and, seeing how many there were who required assistance, decided to start Rescue Network in 2019.
“I never imagined that the rescue would be where it is today,” Johnson told Lady Freethinker.
Rescued Puppies (Courtesy of Rescue Network)
Rescue Network is a foster-based rescue that saves animals on reservations in North and South Dakota. It helps reduce stray populations by spaying and neutering, fostering, adopting, and working with various shelters. Currently, Rescue Network has approximately 250 animals in foster care and has saved nearly 1,700 animals in the past year alone.
“Every single week, we help many animals from the reservations and get the chance to see them evolve into much happier and healthier dogs, just like Shasta,” Johnson told us.
Rescued Kittens (Courtesy of Rescue Network)
Thanks to our generous supporters, Lady Freethinker was able to award Rescue Network $5,000 from our Urgent Need Fund that will go toward urgent veterinary expenses for homeless animals.
According to the rescue, they often see animals who have been shot, hit by cars, or are suffering from illnesses that need immediate medical care.
“This grant from Lady Freethinker made a huge impact on our organization,” Johnson added.
To learn more about Rescue Network, please visit their website.
