Shelter
The Shelter Department is responsible for making sure that the places where animals live are kept clean — sanitary and free of disease, that the animals get daily enrichment, and supervising animal care volunteers. The shelter staff helps visitors interact with the animals and provides them with the information they need to make informed adoption choices.
The Shelter Department is also responsible for working with transfer partners, individuals surrendering their pets, and other Rescue Village departments to ensure a steady and regular intake of homeless animals. More than 60% of the animals come to Rescue Village as stray cats, or by owner surrender. People turn to Rescue Village to surrender for many reasons, be it illness, financial insecurity, or other life-altering situations. If you find a stray dog, please refer to your county dog warden regarding next steps.
Finally, the Shelter Department provides customer-facing programs like Foster, Fix-it-in-the- Farmland, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), Pet Food Pantry, and Community Guardian — providing vital services to Rescue Village’s animals and customers, and to the Veterinary Medical Clinic.
SHELTER DETAILS
- Limited intake, unlimited stay (since 1974).
- Animal intake by appointment only.
- Serves the Cleveland area’s eastern communities.
- Offers shelter to homeless dogs, cats and domesticated barn animals.
- More than 60% of animals arrive at Rescue Village by owner-surrendered or are strays.
- Works with dozens of transfer partners in Northeast Ohio and beyond.
- Rescue Village does not offer shelter space for feral cats and instead offers TNR services.
SHELTER CAPACITY
- 53 dog/puppy kennels, 2 dog play yards, 9 outdoor kennels
- 75 Cat/Kitten Cages
- 5 barn stalls
- 1 chicken coop
- 3 rooster condos
DAILY OPERATIONS
- Staff begins arriving at 7am.
- 8am: Shelter Staff discusses each animal’s pathway.
- 8:15-10:45am: Deep cleaning the shelter.
- 12pm: Rescue Village opens to the public.
- 12-3pm: Adoption Counseling and animal enrichment or cleaning tasks.
- 3pm: 2nd feeding and medical updates.
- 4-6:30 pm: Last walks and evening care.
FIVE FREEDOMS
- Freedom from hunger and thirst.
- Freedom from discomfort.
- Freedom from pain, injury, or disease.
- Freedom to express normal behavior.
- Freedom from fear and distress.
Foster Program
Foster volunteers help in so many ways! More than 50% of all of Rescue Village’s animals benefit from foster care. Find out more.
Community Guardian Program
Rescue Village’s Community Guardian Program is a safety net program offered to pet owners seeking temporary care for their pets. Pet owners facing difficulties are eligible to apply for assistance from the Community Guardian Program for 30, 60, or 90 days. Rescue Village evaluates if it can help owners on an individual basis, based on the severity of need and available resources.
Pet Food Pantry
Rescue Village launched its Pet Food Pantry in 2020 — People who don’t have enough food for themselves have hungry pets and the pantry provides a temporary solution to help when times are tough. Apply today.
Petco Love Lost
Lost a Pet? Rescue Village is a proud partner of Petco Love Lost. Steps to finding your pet.