municipal SHELTER

  • A shelter typically is open to take any dog, including dogs surrendered by their owners for whatever reason.
  • Shelters are usually funded through government: local, state, or federal. Donations can supplement any government funding. Resources are also limited in shelters.
  • Shelters have a facility where dogs are kept.
  • Shelters typically have set, but open operating hours and paid employees available.
  • Because shelters accept any dog, rescued or relinquished, they have higher euthanasia rates. Shelters can set guidelines/criteria for euthanasia.

Rescue

  • Focus is on stray/homeless, abused, and sick dogs. Rescues are not always an avenue for rehoming dogs because the owners don't have time, the dog has become old, or other reasons. A dog is a commitment for life and this responsibility should be taken seriously.
  • Rescues are usually funded through donations and, sometimes, grants. Financial resources can be very limited.
  • Rescues can have facilities where they keep their rescued dogs, but most rescues rely on foster homes.
  • Rescues may have employees depending on size, but many operate using volunteers and may not be open on a regular basis.
  • A lot of rescues are "no-kill". Not all of them are, but they tend to have more flexibility in making euthanasia decisions.

Rescue group vs shelter: what's the difference?

There are many differences between a rescue and a shelter and differences vary based on the missions of each separate and unique organization. We are a rescue that has a facility to temporarily house the dogs that we rescue until we are able to find forever homes for them. Often times people become frustrated with our limitations. We hope the following will clarify what our goals, purpose, and capabilities are. A life is saved whether you adopt from a rescue or a shelter! Thanks for reading! 


organization history

Since 2006 Saving Grace has been rescuing and helping dogs in need in Lubbock, TX and surrounding communities. Click here for a timeline of the organization's history.




Lauren Cline
Lauren is our Executive Director. She works adoption events, fosters dogs, writes grants, coordinates our annual "Pit Stop" event, & cares for the dogs at the kennel

Our rescue was founded by a group of friends. We saw a strong need for advocates for Pit Bulls in our community. The Lubbock, TX animal shelter takes in close to 2,000 Pit Bulls each year and euthanizes approximately 80% of Pit Bulls that arrive at the shelter. Overpopulation, abandonment, homelessness, discrimination, and cruelty are all serious issues facing this "breed" in Lubbock and across the nation. Our mission is the following:


  • Alleviate suffering through rescue and adoption into loving, stable, reliable forever homes
  • Assist the city shelter with Pit Bulls  
  • Provide breed specific education to the community with emphasis on the importance of spay/neuter, microchipping, anti-chaining, and "breed" perception
  •  Provide resources for members of our community that own Pit Bulls including spay/neuter, microchips, and vaccinations


                                                                                                                                                        continue reading about mission...


 

Jane Tew
Jane helps with fostering dogs, community events, and helps care for the dogs at the kennel

rehome

Our ultimate goal is to see all of our rescues find homes where they will be cherished, loved, and appreciated for who they are. 

restore

All of our rescues are provided with quality veterinary care and given a safe place to recover from the abuse and neglect they have suffered.

rescue

We rescue dogs we encounter, receive calls/emails about, and assist the city shelter with Pit Bulls as resources allow.

our team

To learn more about a team member and their involvement with Saving Grace click on their photo!

mission