Our approach to rescue is at its core fundamentally different than conventional methods. Bluetails is a non-profit, volunteer animal rescue organization, but unlike other groups we receive the majority of our funding through providing Pet Care Services throughout the Greater New Orleans area. However, like other rescue organizations, we do graciously accept donations.

Bring the best of both worlds together. Many pets today are adopted from shelters and rescue organizations. What better way to complete the circle and have your pet pampered and cared for by us, which gives a second chance to another needy animal. By providing Pet Care Services, that we enjoy doing, we in turn fund a a mission we are passionate about... Rescue.

We are dedicated to rescuing dogs left homeless for whatever reason – animals in public shelters where they are at high risk of euthanasia due to pet overpopulation, pets given up by their owners because of difficult circumstances, and those in danger of abuse or neglect.

We place dogs and cats in loving, responsible, committed permanent homes, following a comprehensive adoption process which includes taking considerable care in finding good matches and educating prospective adopters about the responsibilities and costs of bringing a pet into their homes and lives.

Animals in our care are spayed or neutered, receive all appropriate veterinary care and treatment, and placed in nurturing foster homes while they await placement in their permanent homes.

Our group remains interested in and committed to the welfare of the animal beyond the adoption process.

Finally, we strive to work with area shelters and other rescue and humane organizations to develop a network of supporters and volunteers in order to create a better world for homeless pets..

OUR RESCUE

There are three main types of shelters. The first is open admission shelters otherwise known as high-kill shelters. These shelters accept all animals regardless of age, size, health, and behavior. These shelters are the most common shelters and help get the most pets to the most families, but at the same time since the open shelters receive so many pets they have to euthanize many due to health and behavior issues as to not have any health problems spread through the shelter and to keep available cage space for more animals. While open shelters always provide an option for a homeless pet, they are often over crowded, poorly run, and may put down a dog that would not normally be aggressive but is only fearful because of its environment.

The second type of Animal shelter is a limited admission shelter, otherwise known as a low kill shelter. The main difference between an open admission shelter and a limited admission shelter, is that limited admission shelters will not euthanize an animal depending on length of their stay or available cage space. Most limited admission shelters require an appointment to be made prior to giving up your pet to ensure that there is available cage space; they will sometimes even have a waiting list for cage space to ensure that the animal will be accepted at a time that the shelter can house them. Limited admission shelters will only euthanize pets for severe medical conditions or behavioral problems. Most limited admission shelters have intake interviews prior to releasing your pet to build an accurate description of your pet’s real personality rather than how they act in a stressful environment.

The third type of shelter is a no kill shelter, which also have a very limited admission. No kill shelters usually do not accept animals without an appointment and thorough screening process. These shelters tend to be very selective with the animals they accept and will refuse animals over a certain age, with severe medical issues, or with behavioral issues. No kill shelters are generally only looking for immediately adoptable pets, which is both a good and bad thing. A positive aspect of these shelter is that a large percentage of all the animals that come through them are adopted and go to permanent homes, but at the same time they have substantially fewer animals come through them than other types of shelters.

The other option for animal placement and adoption is an Animal Rescue. Animal Rescue Organizations are usually private and run by animal advocates and volunteers who want to find homes for all animals that come through the organization while avoiding euthanasia. Animal Rescues will not euthanize an animal to make cage space but may need to in the event of severe medical problems or uncontrollable behavioral issues. While they are a great alternative to shelters, these humane rescues are usually very small and are funded mostly by grants and donations. Both Shelters and rescues focus on lowering the number of stray animals on the street and rescues will usually spay or neuter any animal that comes through to help limit the number of strays on the street from increasing. Because Rescues tend to have less animals in their care, the process for adopting a dog from a rescue is much longer and thorough than adopting from a shelter. But because of this depth in the adoption process and the relationships that rescue staff have with the small number of animals, they will usually have very accurate profiles of all the animals in their care which can help families looking for a pet find one that fits in with their family. This in turn lowers the number of pets that have to be brought back to the rescue.

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