The founders of The Rescued Dog forged our bond during our volunteer work together at a local dog rescue. We recognized in each other a mutual respect for our human friends and the dogs we were helping to rescue. When the time came to start our own rescue, our collective mission was clear: save at-risk dogs from high-kill shelters and place them in loving, forever homes for the benefit of the dogs and humans alike. We believe the best way to end pet overpopulation and animal cruelty is a unified front with local shelters, other rescue groups and the community.
While The Rescued Dog is currently a foster-based rescue, our long-term goal is to have a kennel and training facility, which will enable us to increase our number of rescues and take time to train and, if needed, rehabilitate dogs in need.
The founders of The Rescued Dog are committed to saving the right dogs for the right people, and offering support and education to ensure a successful forever situation for both our dogs and the humans who adopt them.
Thank you for your support!
Katie Michelmore
President
My passion for rescuing dogs comes from my great experiences with rescue dogs in my life. I personally have had my life brightened by many great rescue dogs, and I have seen how having pets, and dogs particularly, has improved the lives of my friends and family. For me, the best part of dog rescue is seeing the connection that dogs and people make, and knowing that when we connect the right dogs with the right people, we are improving the lives of everyone involved, both human and canine.
Kathy Toomey
Events Manager
10 years ago I took a road trip from Philadelphia to San Diego with my beloved English Bulldog. As a travel nurse, I was given the opportunity to move across the country, and with working only three days a week, I had time to volunteer with my first passion, rescue dogs. Through volunteering, I met an amazing group of women who shared my same vision, so we collaborated on The Rescue Dog! I am so proud of our accomplishments and I look forward to continuing to educate and save lives!
Steph Young
Secretary
I rescued my first dog in 2010 and started volunteering with a rescue a year later and loved it! I truly believe the best dogs are rescued dogs and have come to find my true passion in life is in dog rescue. I’ve made lifelong friends through rescue and can’t wait to see all of the amazing things The Rescued Dog will accomplish!
Alana Lawler
Volunteer Coordinator
I got involved with rescuing dogs when my own dogs and animal loving kids got a touch older and realized I had a tiny amount of free time to fill! My kids begged for Chihuahuas, Daschunds, Huskys etc….so naturally I thought fostering would be great! Once I got in, I was hooked and wanted to do more to help shelter dogs find the forever love my own dogs had. In regard to volunteering, I believe that if we all give a little we can accomplish a lot!
Ramey Murphy
Foster Coordinator
I was introduced to The Rescued Dog while working at a local shelter. I was excited about their mission to save dogs from high-kill shelters & wanted to participate with this mission. I love working with the TRD team and fosters to get these pups out of the shelter, into a great foster home and finally on to their furr-ever homes 
Rah Mahtani
Marketing Lead
My design thesis in my senior year of college revolved around re-designing the animal sheltering system. I spent hours and hours a day volunteering at a handful of shelters. I saw someone bring in a terrified dog as he screamed at shelter staff: “I just don’t want the damn thing anymore..” That was the tipping point for me… Also, this is my favorite quote…ever: “All his life he tried to be a good person. Many times, however, he failed. For after all, he was only human. He wasn’t a dog.”
Dani Ramos
Adoption Coordinator
I was fostering for the SD Humane Society but was looking for a rescue I could become more involved in. A friend foster failed with TRD so I filled out an application. I feel like I’ve found my calling! There is nothing like getting a dog right out of the shelter and making him feel safe. Now as an adoption coordinator I get to see the rescue through to the end, a great family and a forever home!!
Brittney Mazzone
Adoption Coordinator
The bond I have with my dog, Otis who I rescued about 2 years ago, is that of a family member, a best friend, and a companion. Saving dogs from high kill shelters is a rewarding task, but adding a new member to someone’s family is life changing. Rescued is truly the best breed.
Kim Alfred
Volunteer & Foster
I got my start in dog rescue by using Facebook to help network dogs who were in high kill shelters in San Bernardino, CA. While that was fulfilling, I really wanted to be more hands on and interact with the dogs who were being saved. I wanted to personally see the transformation from a scared shelter dog to a happy and adoptable dog. So far I have fostered four wonderful dogs for The Rescued Dog and hope to foster many more! I also love volunteering at the adoption events and watching when a match is made between a dog and their new owners.
Diana Lewis
Donation Coordinator
Life has so much to offer if we remember look beyond ourselves. I volunteer because it continuously teaches me something new about people, about cooperation, about compassion, and about myself. I have a great passion for animals. We have three rescue dogs that came to us in 2008. Since then I’ve wanted to work with an origination that helps save dogs and put them in forever, loving homes so when I came across this opportunity with The Rescued Dog to help I jumped at the chance. I am passionate about their mission to save dogs from high kill shelters and I truly believe that help comes in many forms, volunteering is one way to accomplish what we are supposed to accomplish in this lifetime.
Jordan Ramos
Adoption Events Coordinator
I have always been a firm believer that doggie cuddles could save the world. So, when my mom said she wanted to start fostering dogs I was very excited. In the short period of time I have been volunteering with The Rescued Dog I realized I want to be an advocate for change. I took on this role not only to push myself but to also be a bigger voice for all of the shelter animals, since they can’t do that on their own.