Blog

Anyone remember one of our longtimer dogs, Marshall? He's been absolutely thriving in a foster home, but it's coming to an end on April 24th, and he’s in need of his next place to land. Marshall is a happy, affectionate boy with the perfect mix of playful energy and cuddle time. He’s crate and house trained, and has been doing so well settling into foster life (snuggling up while his foster works and going on walks around the neighborhood). If you or anyone you know may be in

These are the moments that make it all worth it—seeing our animals find their forever homes!! This month, we're celebrating official adoptions for: Tiny Tim Taissa Tally Piney Thank you to everyone who played a part in getting these pups home—our fosters, adopters, and supporters who share their stories and help them get seen.

Big news— a new rural intake, Amaya is getting ready to welcome her puppies any day now in her foster home. With a litter on the way, we're gathering supplies to make sure both mama and babies have everything they need from day one. If you've been looking for a way to directly support, this is a big one. 👉 Shop Amaya's Baby Shower Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2DUBXXGX4HCVL?ref_=wl_share Every item makes a direct impact—we truly couldn't do this without you

Looking for a low-commitment way to get involved? Our Doggy Daycation program lets you take a RARE dog out for a few hours—whether it's a walk, a coffee run, a hike, or just some time out of the house. It's one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to help our dogs get exposure, practice real-world skills, and create content that helps them get adopted. 👉 Sign up for a Doggy Daycation here: https://www.rarerescue.org/doggy-daycation

We had such a great time at our recent Giveback Night at Von Elrod's Beer Hall & Kitchen! Not only is their space incredibly welcoming (and dog-friendly!), but their team went above and beyond to support our mission. A portion of the evening's proceeds was donated back to RARE, helping us continue to provide care, resources, and second chances for animals across Tennessee. Not to mention, the guests were amazing, and resulted in a handful of adoption applications returned aft

Hey all, this is a real simple way to request files from adopters, fosters, volunteer or donors (or anyone else for that matter 🤣).

As we continue growing, here are a few areas where we could truly use support: • Foster families — even short-term fosters help us say “yes” to more lives. • Veterinary volunteer support — a Nashville-area vet tech open to volunteering part-time or as needed. • Animal-experienced handlers — to assist with foster transitions and safe introductions. • Corporate partnerships — does your company offer sponsorships, volunteer days, workplace giving, or opportunities to host adopta

You may have seen us frequently posting about Fiona, a pittie mix who had spent months in shelter care and was nearing a point where her time was running out. We posted. We reposted. And finally — a foster stepped up to take her in for two weeks. That “yes” didn’t just give her a change of scenery. It removed her from immediate risk and gave her a real chance at a future. Thank you to every single person who shared her story and helped us rally support. This is what happens w

If you’ve been following along, you may recognize some familiar names — Crowley, Clark, Bo, and Taissa. These sweet long-timers have been patiently waiting, and we are cautiously optimistic to share that as of February, they are all  either settled into foster homes or beginning adoption trials. It’s too soon to celebrate just yet, but it’s movement — and for long-stay animals, movement matters. Join us in sending good thoughts, prayers, and hopeful energy their way as we hel

Annual Puppy Bowl | Big Impact  Our Annual Puppy Bowl was more than just a fun day out — it was a life-changing one. Because our community showed up, we celebrated 4 adoptions, captured new content and profile photos for every attending animal, connected with new volunteers, and expanded our reach through shares and exposure across social media. And the momentum hasn’t stopped — 3 additional dogs are now in adoption trials as a direct result of the event. This is exactly what

Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 15th at 9 AM at Shelby Bottoms Park (1900 Davidson St., Nashville, TN 37206) for a fun, pup-friendly Valentine's get-together with Jogging Paws! The morning will include: A dog training session to brush up on basics A group walk/jog with fellow dog lovers A mingle hour complete with a Valentine's photo booth to capture all the cuteness Whether you're looking to learn, socialize, or just snag an adorable photo with your furry Valentin

Join us for our annual Puppy Bowl event on Sunday, February 8th from 12–5 PM at Monday Night Brewing – Preservation Co ! We'll have adoptable puppies from our NFL and Rock N' Roll litters ready to steal your heart — and maybe run a few plays of their own! This is a dog-friendly event, so bring your pup along! Enjoy beer specials, pup cups, and a special appearance from R Dog Shop. Whether you stay for the whole game or just swing by for a half (or even a quarter), we'd love t

If you've fostered with us before, we'd love to hear from you. We're rolling out a short foster survey to better understand what's working, what could be improved, and how we can better support you throughout the foster journey. As we work through Q1 to revamp our foster intake and orientation process, your feedback is incredibly valuable. Hearing directly from those who've been in the role helps us make informed, thoughtful changes — from communication and resources to train

Alani Alani came to us through an animal surrender call — a situation where her former owner, due to personal circumstances, could no longer keep her. As a foster-based rescue, moments like these are both urgent and delicate. We can only step in when we have foster homes ready, which is why having a strong, responsive foster network is absolutely essential to the work we do. Through a single Instagram post, Alani's story reached Savannah — thanks to a friend who shared it via

As we look back on 2025, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. To every single person who supported RARE this year—whether you donated, fostered, adopted, volunteered, shared a post, attended an event, or simply cheered us on from afar—thank you. You are the reason we are able to say “yes” to animals who have nowhere else to turn. We truly could not do this without you.   Because of your unwavering support, we are stepping into 2026 with hope, momentum, and excitement fo

We also want to share a huge thank-you to The Mulehouse for hosting such a wonderful Christmas event and for being an incredible partner to work with. The atmosphere was festive, welcoming, and the perfect place for us to connect with the community while spreading holiday cheer—for both people and pups alike. Events like this allow us to share our mission, build community, and give our dogs the chance to shine in front of potential adopters. During this event, we were thrill

After 859 long days of waiting, Buddy (formerly Balzey) finally found the forever home he always deserved. Buddy’s journey with RARE began far from Tennessee, wandering alone across the plains of Texas. When we found him, his eyes said everything— “don’t leave me here.”  And we couldn't. We brought Buddy back home to Tennessee, knowing he was meant for something more. Still, the days turned into months, and the months turned into years. While other dogs were fostered, adopted

This season marks the second year of our Home for Christmas campaign, dedicated to helping the long-term dogs in our care finally find the loving homes they've been waiting for. And this year, we're excited to announce a special partnership with Furever Friends Nashville! Abby has generously created customized bandanas for each of our long-term pups—and she's also selling them on her website to benefit RARE. 🛍️ Check them out at: fureverfriendsnashville.com Our long-term dog

Max, formerly known as Matisse from our Artist Litter, has had quite the journey. He and his siblings were found last year as tiny puppies, huddled in a rural ditch—scared, starving, and desperately needing help. Once rescued, Max was adopted by his foster family, but despite everyone's best intentions, he struggled with fear of people approaching the fenced yard. He felt he had to protect himself and the family he loved. Unfortunately, an older child began teasing him throug

Jenny's journey with us began all the way back in July 2023, when she was found in heartbreaking condition. She was covered in demodectic mange, her skin raw and painful to the touch, and she was terrified of anyone who came near her. But from the moment she arrived, we knew she deserved a chance to heal, trust, and discover what it meant to be loved. Over time, Jenny transformed before our eyes. With patient care, training, and socialization, she blossomed into a beautiful,