START Animal Rescue

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United States
Oregon City, OR
START Animal Rescue

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START transports at-risk animals from high-kill shelters in CA to rescue partners in the Pacific NW. Since our founding in 2011, we have saved over 13,000 pets.
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Everyday thousands of helpless and defenseless animals both young and old are killed in Southern California shelters due to lack of homes and shelter overcrowding. Shelter Transportation Animal Rescue Team (START) is a 501©(3) non-profit organization formed in May 2011 by a group of active and concerned animal lovers—Steve Spiro, Suzanna Urszuly, and Rene Ruston—to address the horrifying issues of animal overcrowding by providing two necessary and significant components: Transportation and Spay/Neuter. Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START) , rescues animals from overcrowded high-kill Southern and Central California shelters. We transport monthly up to 125 animals via our customized vehicle to fully vetted organizations in Oregon & Washington, where they are readily adopted into good homes. We also provide spay/neuter and medical help to the underserved communities in Riverside, Colton, Palmdale, Lancaster and other areas in need. In addition to our Transport program and Spay/Neuter program to underserved communities, we have the "Beyond Borders" program that rescues dogs out of Mexico and Dog Meat Farms in South Korea, Grassroots program to assist small rescues with seed money to rescue animals from high kill shelters. START relies on generous donations to keep its transports and Spay/Neuter services running. For more information on how you can get involved and donate visit, http://startrescue.org/donate/ or contact Steve Spiro: [email protected]. A special thanks to the generous donations from donors like you, our reputation keeps on growing, making a real difference in the animal’s lives! For more information check out our website www.startrescue.org and follow us on Twitter
https://twitter.com/STARTRescueTeam

10/15/2026

Meet Penny

Penny may have started out a little shy around people, but these days, she warms up quickly and absolutely adores anyone who gives her a bit of time and kindness.

She's a gentle soul with a resilient spirit — a truly special dog. While she might be cautious around new faces at first, she’s quick to blossom into a loyal, loving companion.

Penny also gets along wonderfully with other dogs and is currently thriving in a foster home near Portland, OR, where she lives with several canine pals.

Interested in meeting this sweet girl? Reach out to [email protected] to learn more or schedule a visit.

Penny is:
• Spayed
• Vaccinated
• 2 years old
• Approximately 62 lbs

10/14/2026

From Compton to the Grand Canyon and beyond! 🌵🐾

After raising 11 puppies, mama WILLOW is finally having adventures of her own.

Thank you, Sal for giving her so much love in foster care, and thanks to her trainer, Lisa Lisa Woodard | Dog Training and Shannon n’ Bi***es Pup Rescue for helping her along the way. 💚

WILLOW is still looking for her forever home. Could it be with you?

10/04/2026

Up for adoption Pacific Pug Rescue 💚 We helped LUCA make his way from Tijuana to Pacific Pug in and he has such a remarkable 1/2 dark light face! He’s also incredibly sweet and ready for a home! 🏡 If you’re interested, reach out to Pacific Pug For more information!

10/02/2026

🐾💗 Meet Callie! 💗🐾

Looking for a sweet girl who’s the perfect mix of playful and chill? Meet Callie! 🥰

Callie is gentle, loving, and happiest when she’s with her people. She enjoys walks, hanging out in the yard, or simply relaxing by your side while you work. She’s just happy to be part of your day! ❤️

🐶 Loves other dogs
👋 Loves people
💕 Affectionate and loves attention
🐿️ Enjoys watching for squirrels in the yard
🌸 Easygoing, sweet, and loving

There’s really nothing difficult about this girl—Callie is ready to be someone’s loyal companion and best friend. If you’re looking for a dog who enjoys both playtime and peaceful cuddles, Callie could be your girl! 🏡💕

📍 Currently in Portland, OR and ready to meet you!

✅ Spayed
✅ Vaccinated

Interested in Callie?
📧 Email [email protected] for more information
🐾 Apply to adopt: startrescue.org/adopt

Please share to help Callie find her forever home! 🐾❤️

09/28/2026

JOIN TEAM START RESCUE! 🐾🏃

We’re excited to be participating in Race for the Rescues 2026, and we’d LOVE to have you on TEAM START RESCUE! 💚

📅 Saturday, October 10, 2026
📍 The Rose Bowl | Pasadena, CA
⏰ Registration opens at 7:30 AM
🏁 5K starts at 8:30 AM

Race for the Rescues brings animal lovers together to run, walk and raise money for Southern California animal welfare organizations. Serious runner? Great! Prefer a leisurely 3.1-mile walk? Also great! Want to support us from your couch? WE LOVE COUCH POTATOES TOO.

🐕 You can even do the 5K with your dog! Just be sure to register for the “5K with Dog” option. Participating dogs must be spayed/neutered, comfortable around crowds and other animals, and on a secure, non-retractable leash.

When you join TEAM START RESCUE, the funds you raise for our team will help support the work we do every day, including:

🚐 Transporting dogs and cats out of overcrowded shelters and into safety
🐾 Spay & neuter programs that help prevent unwanted litters and reduce shelter intake
💚 And ultimately, SAVING MORE LIVES!
Pre-registered participants are guaranteed an official Race for the Rescues shirt and finisher’s medal, and there will be awards for top runners and prizes for top fundraisers!
You do not have to raise pledges to participate, but fundraising is one of the biggest ways this event helps animals, so if you can, please rally your friends, family and coworkers to support your race!

💚 RUN. WALK. DONATE. OR BE A COUCH POTATO.

However you participate, you’re helping us save lives.

👉 JOIN TEAM START RESCUE:
tinyurl.com/TEAMSTARTRESCUE
🐾 TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES.

09/27/2026

💚 WHO IS START RESCUE? 💚

We thought it was time for a little introduction (or re-introduction!) to who we are, what we do, and how YOU can be part of it.

Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team (START) is a nonprofit animal rescue organization with one simple mission: to save animals’ lives every day.

And we’ve learned over the years that the best way to do that is TOGETHER.

🐾 We transport at-risk shelter animals to areas where they have a better chance of being adopted.

🐾 We provide spay and neuter services in communities where they are needed most.

🐾 We build partnerships with shelters, rescues, clinics, volunteers, and communities to tackle the bigger problems facing animals.

🐾 We foster and find homes for animals facing euthanasia.

🐾 And we take on animals needing significant medical or behavioral care, giving them the time and resources they need for another chance.

We also believe strongly in transparency and responsible stewardship of every dollar entrusted to us. Our supporters deserve to know where their donations go and to see the lives they help change.

START is primarily funded by individual donors and supporters, which means this work truly happens because people choose to be part of it.

💚Donate. Foster. Adopt. Share. Comment. Volunteer. Tell a friend.💚

There are so many ways to help, and every one of them matters.

Swipe through to learn more about START and the work we do. ➡️

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💚 TOGETHER, WE SAVE LIVES. 💚

09/23/2026

💚 Please welcome our newest pack member, APOLLO.
APOLLO it is 2 years old, very affectionate, a lot more mellow than your typical husky, and up for adoption in Portland, Oregon. He’s a malamute/ husky mix and is incredibly soft, sweet and handsome 💚 He would love a lap to sit on!
He also loves other dogs.🐶

If you would like more information about him, please contact [email protected]

He also has a number of siblings looking for a home 🏡

09/21/2026

Every Rescue-Transport is special because every trip means lives are being saved. ❤️ But this one was especially meaningful because it marked the maiden voyage of our brand-new rescue vehicle, dedicated in honor of our beloved board member, Linda Raznick, who sadly passed away in November 2025.We know Linda would have been absolutely thrilled to see these animals, many of whom had nowhere else to turn , getting a fresh START. 65 dogs and 1 cat climbed aboard for their journey to a brighter future. 💚✨

Address

Oregon City, OR
97045

Website

http://linktr.ee/startrescue

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