Animal Shelter Relief to the Rescue

ASR is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c)(3) animal rescue based in Santa Cruz, CA. Our mission is to relieve overcrowded animal shelters through rescue, thereby reducing euthanasia.

Formed in 2008, Amy Strickland along with 2 former co-workers from the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter started Animal Shelter Relief rescue, the ONLY local animal rescue focusing on cats and special need animals, that existed at the time. The founders knew what help was needed at the County Animal Shelter and formed a rescue to meet those needs and relieve the overcrowding and subsequent euthanasia of otherwise adoptable animals.

​Since then, ASR continues to grow every year. In the first year, we set a realistic goal to rescue just 50 animals. We rescued 150! Fast forward to the present: as of November 2016, ASR has saved a total of 1556 animals, thanks to donations and devoted volunteers. All 1556 of these special lives would have been euthanized had ASR not come to the rescue!

We are also one of the few rescues that are able to take in and care for pre-wean kittens. They make up our biggest demographic and the need is great in our area. When we have foster homes available, we also rescue dogs, bunnies and other animals from our local open-door shelters.

All of our animals are placed in temporary, stable, foster homes until forever homes are found.

We wouldn’t be able to save so many animals without donations to pay for food, medical expenses (such as spay/neuter and vaccines) and more! Please consider making a monthly donation…as they say, “every little bit helps!”

THE MORE MONEY WE RAISE,
​THE MORE LIVES WE CAN SAVE!