ResQ Animal Coalition is a small, volunteer, non-profit (501 3c) animal adoption and rescue organization located in Redding, CA, networking to save lives. Our primary focus is terriers, pugs, pomeranians, poodles, bichons, shih tzus, papillons and many small mixed breeds. We often take on the "unadoptables" - those who come from puppy mills, hoarders, or abusive situations or those who are considered "too old" to deserve a loving home for the remainder of their lives.

We believe in the quality of our adoptions, not the quantity. We take extra time and effort to ensure that our adopters and our animals are carefully screened so that we can provide the best match for both the adopter and the pet.   We don't believe in that "impulse" decision where you can take the dog home as soon as you fill out an application.  We know from experience that this can result in heartbreak, for the dog and the person adopting. 

Oftentimes, we won't offer an animal for adoption until weeks, sometimes months have gone by in our care so that we can determine its needs and personality. Additionally, we will not adopt to the first person who applies for an animal. We will wait for as long as it takes to make the best match.  Our job is to prepare each dog for its new adoptive home, however long that takes and however much effort it requires - we take them to the first "level"; the adopter's job is to take it from there. 

Our animals come to us from many different places:  high kill "shelters", strays, puppy mills, backyard breeders and owners who would rather not give their family member to a shelter or a "pound" when circumstances prevent them from keeping them.  We will also help out other rescues when we are able, who are full and can't keep an animal.

Some of our animals also come from puppy mills and backyard breeders.  Read what Adopt-a-pet.com has to say about this:

A smarter option than buying a puppy or kitten from a backyard dog breeder or pet store, is to adopt.  No matter how "reputable" you think your local pet store is, they are almost surely getting their puppies and kittens from one of two sources: 1) a "backyard" cat or dog breeder, or 2) a puppy mill. The majority of purebred dogs and cats are the product of irresponsible "backyard" kitten and puppy breeders. These are people who make some easy cash by breeding their purebred dogs and cats and they often also sell puppies and kittens through the newspaper classified ads. Remember if you buy a dog or cat, that most of these backyard dog breeders and cat breeders don't know about breeding for favorable health and temperament qualities, and they don't know how to raise a properly socialized litter.Many of these little dogs and cats are weaned from their mothers way too soon. Sometimes, a backyard dog breeder turns into small-time puppy mill to increase their supply so you can buy a dog from a pet store and they can make a higher profit.

What are puppy mills? A puppy mill is basically a purebred puppy factory farm where the puppies are just churned out as fast as they can and then sold to pet stores. The dogs are kept in small cages and forced to breed at unhealthy rates… it's all about the money. Female dogs in puppy mills are made to have several litters per year, which is extremely dangerous and cruel. Each purebred puppy mill produces several different breeds for pet stores, and pays little attention to the specific health and genetic diseases due to inbreeding. Genetic health testing is almost unheard of and mass-producing pets for profit is the bottom line. In the worst puppy mills, horrifying conditions are the norm. How can you stop puppy mills? There is only one way. Take away their profits. Remember before you buy a dog or cat that adoption is the most humane option!

We are strictly non-profit and cannot help these needy animals without your support.  Most of our dogs come to us with medical issues.  Our vet bills are oftentmes very high.  We're all volunteers, some with full-time jobs and we have limited time to do fund raising activites, so most of our money comes to us from our adoption fees. 

Consider a tax-deductible donation through PaPal (link on left hand side menu, bottom)