Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK)

Home
United States
Gloucester, MA
Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK)

Directions Website Contact the organization

Helping at-risk dogs find loving homes since 2012. ARK was formed to fill a gap between at-risk dogs and the organizations or individuals that can help them.

Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) is a unique, all-volunteer nonprofit organization that specializes in helping dogs that are hard-to-place, marginalized, and mislabeled as ‘unadoptable’ Since its inception in 2012, ARK has helped more than 1,000 dogs find loving homes. Through its unique capabilities and experiences, ARK embraces the challenge of finding homes for dogs that have had moments of poor behavior which historically ended in euthanasia. To prevent this needless loss of life, ARK promotes the use of progressive and proven alternatives for solving and/or managing behavioral issues. We also support the growing number of open-minded shelters, rescues, and animal control officers who have incorporated best practices into their policies and procedures. Over the past several years, they have realized the same tremendous success that ARK has experienced – behaviorally challenged dogs transform into integral parts of the family after being placed in the right home and given time to adjust to a new life. Whether behavior manifests in a shelter or home environment, other options must be explored. In addition, ARK works to raise awareness about the population of dogs they serve because more work is needed. While many organizations have incorporated a more just and humane approach for managing dogs with behavioral issues, others are still making hasty decisions about euthanasia before trying all availalbe options. Further, dangerous advice is still being circulated by so-called professionals in the field. Thankfully, progressive practices continue to gain traction. We are grateful to the many dogs who are living proof that a dog’s fate must not be based on behavior alone. Though previously labeled unfit for adoption and given no options to succeed, their lives inspire ARK to Just Save Them®.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween! We would love to see photos of your dogs’ costumes. Please tag us and we’ll feature your pups on our page!

10/30/2026

Hugo the Magnificent is all set for Halloween! This very handsome 6-7-year old Lab/Great Dane mix at the Cranston, RI Animal Shelter is so deserving of a good home, after a rough past.

Hugo has a history of abuse and was previously deprived of toys over concerns of resource guarding. He now has access to toys and enrichment, and staff simply use appropriate management techniques, such as trading for items rather than taking them away. He’s done so well that he’s become Mr. Popularity with staff and his many fans!

Please consider meeting this lovely boy who was long misunderstood. He’s a giant gem. Because of this history, Hugo would do best with a knowledgeable adopter who understands resource guarding and is willing to manage it appropriately. A loving, quiet adult home is best. No children or other animals. Contact [email protected] and tell them ARK sent you! https://www.facebook.com/CranstonAnimalShelterRI/

10/29/2026

Meet Coco Chanel! This very sweet three-year-old, 35-pound girl has a gentle soul despite an unstable early life that’s made her anxious. Now in a loving foster home, she likes taking walks on leash and going for car rides. She loves treats, enjoys the company of other dogs, and is slowly starting to come out of her shell with the people she feels safe around. She really wants to trust again, which she’s doing day by day in a foster home through Cranston Animal Shelter in RI.

The next step in her journey can be with a foster, foster-to-adopt, or better yet, an adopter. The kennel environment is not healthy for fearful dogs. Coco really needs a calm environment to relax and feel safe. She does well when allowed to set the pace for being with new people and new surroundings. Her caregivers will share the strategies that work best. She cannot be babied even though you may feel bad for her. Most of all she needs lots of time and patience. Her cuddles and kisses must be earned!

If you have a conducive home and lifestyle in which she can thrive, please consider giving Coco her second chance. She’s looking for a patient person familiar with dog anxiety/fear, an adult-only home, and a compatible dog sibling. No children, cats, or busy environments. For more information, rescue heroes may contact [email protected] and tell them Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) sent you! https://www.petfinder.com/dog/coco-chanel-dd46d28f-da57-4d2d-b4fe-fb3c580ccf4e/ri/cranston/cranston-animal-shelter-ri01/details/

10/28/2026

Meet Lexi! This stunning Anatolian Shepherd is an active young female who's good with children and other dogs. Lexi is still growing and will need an outgoing and experienced large dog handler! Tell our friends at Golden Huggs Rescue we sent you! Learn more here: https://www.petfinder.com/dog/lexi-sponsored-in-new-england-733c770b-07e2-4179-ad07-0cd80070879d/ma/newburyport/golden-huggs-rescue-inc-vt47/details/ -details-shelter-section

10/25/2026

Draco-approved and ARK-recommended! Looking for a reputable trainer for a resident board-and-train? Nancy is an extremely knowledgeable, caring and dedicated pro. Usually full, she's got a rare last minute cancellation starting immediately. https://bradleyscanine.com

10/23/2026

Strider has a potential Halloween costume!

This 5-year-old nicely sized pittie mix of 53 pounds is loving, playful, and goofy but need a new home because his family situation has recently changed. His favorite activities are playing fetch, running around outdoors, and being an adventure buddy. After playtime, he requires couch potato time. That's a non-negotiable. Curling up with loved ones is something he takes very seriously.

Strider should only live with children over 7- or 8-years old because of his size and powerful tail wag. He is selective of dogs and prefers being an only pet. Full disclosure – he's had several fights with his brother who’s bigger, faster, and has more testosterone.

This home-to-home adoption is guided by a rescue that supports responsible rehoming. No adoption fee, though please donate to an animal advocacy group to help homeless four-legged pets. To learn more about this true people's dog, contact [email protected].

10/22/2026

Fab fosters answered Fiona’s three- year plea to get out of a kennel. Look how different she looks! She’s never been so at ease! We would love potential adopters to keep inquiring while she decompresses and transitions from long-term boarding to a home environment! Next up is working directly with a positive reinforcement trainer. She’s already a great girl, so imagine how she’ll blossom under personal care and confidence building!

Fiona has beauty, brains, and a penchant for playing with balls. Mainly a German Shepherd Dog with a little Black Lab, she’s 6-½ years-old, about 70 pounds, and located near Wrentham, MA. She could play fetch all day. Every day. You can’t imagine how much she loves chasing and fetching balls! Having spent so much time in a facility, she’s been through a lot. She’d really benefit by having adopters as part of her life while she’s being fostered. She will need loving and patient adopters to complete the final step of her long journey – giving her a forever home!
Fiona has a big cheering squad! A personal benefactor will help cover adoption fees. You can’t deny how special, sweet, and worthy she must be with all this love. Please email Fiona’s advocate and friend [email protected] Thank you!

10/20/2026

Hugo the Magnificent is a very handsome 6-7-year old Lab/Great Dane mix at the Cranston Animal Shelter, RI. All dogs deserve a good home, but we feel Hugo takes the cake for deserving a rescue hero.

Hugo has a history of abuse and was previously deprived of toys over concerns of resource guarding. He now has access to toys and enrichment, and staff simply use appropriate management techniques, such as trading for items rather than taking them away. Duh!

He’s done so well that he’s become Mr. Popularity with staff and his many fans! Please consider meeting this lovely boy who was long misunderstood. He’s a giant gem.

Because of this history, Hugo would do best with a knowledgeable adopter who understands resource guarding and is willing to manage it appropriately. A loving, quiet adult home is best. No children or other animals. Contact [email protected] and tell them ARK sent you!
https://www.facebook.com/CranstonAnimalShelterRI/

10/16/2026

Khalessi is a medium-sized adult dog with puppy-dog eyes. She is sweet and loving, and her adorable polka dots are like icing on a cake. She’s looking for a quiet place to call home where she can be among adults like herself. She also prefers being your one-and-only companion. Once she knows you, you’ll find her affection and wiggle factors are at a competitive level.

Khalessi came to the Cranston Animal Shelter as a stray. Every day she’s making great progress socializing with people. Her confidence is up, and she’s incredibly affectionate, playful, and gentle! Because of her limited back story, the staff is getting to know what makes her tick. They’re spending time with her while providing the consistency every dog needs. Someone walks her almost daily and she gets regular time outside of her kennel. With continued handling and positive experiences, she is becoming more trusting and comfortable with adults.

Khalessi would love a forever home with a fenced-in backyard where she can relax, play, and enjoy her people. She would do best in a home with routine that doesn’t have a lot of people coming and going. A simple, stable life makes her happiest. To meet Khalessi or learn more about her, contact Cranston, RI Animal Shelter at [email protected] or (401) 464-8700 and tell them Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) sent you!

Address

Gloucester, MA
01930

Website

http://animalrescuekonnection.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Animal Rescue Konnection (ARK) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.