Priest River Animal Rescue, Inc. is a non-profit corporation located in Priest River, Idaho. This animal rescue is a small but dedicated group of volunteers that rescue lost and abandoned pets in the north Idaho and northeastern Washington areas. We care deeply for the animals that we take in and provide for their medical and social needs, preparing them for adoption to a loving, forever home. Our rescue facility is located in Priest River and houses eleven dogs and sixty cats. We currently average about one rescue and adoption per day and are eager to expand our service through enlarging our network of off-site foster families and expanding our facility as finances (donations) permit.
Priest River Animal Rescue was founded in March 2002 as a no-kill animal rescue by a group of animal lovers. No-kill means, that we do not euthanize animals to make space for new animals. This organization was started by two realtors that found pets left behind when they would go view a house that had been vacated. Realizing that these pets were abandoned and had no where to go, these volunteers started an organization to save abandoned and abused animals in the Priest River, Idaho area and to place them in loving homes. Because we want all pets placed in loving homes, potential adoptive families are interviewed before placements are made.
Every dog and cat adopted through Priest River Animal Rescue is spayed or neutered. With four million pets still being euthanized in shelters every year in the United States ... and many more being dumped out to die of starvation, hit by cars, or eaten by predators... we feel this is the single most important thing we can do to reduce pet suffering.
Priest River Animal Rescue is supported by donations from people like you and sales through our Critters Thrift Store, also located in Priest River, and our "Coffee to the Rescue" Espresso stand, located at Hwy 2 and sixth Street in Priest River (in front of the Federated/Action Auto Parts Store). We are an all Volunteer - all Donation animal rescue group that does not receive any funding from the city, county or state. We are an approved 501c3 non-profit corporation, so all donations are tax deductible.
The Critters Thrift Store offers pet supplies and good used merchandise, including; clothing, furniture, glassware, books and a "man stuff" section, which is made possible through the generous donations of the community. If you have "good items" to donate, we'd love to have them and we will provide you with a tax receipt. Please stop in and see what we have to offer. Our selection changes daily! Please also visit our "Coffee to the Rescue" Espresso Stand. We serve up a delicious variety of drinks, expertly brewed up by our friendly and talented baristas. 100% of all sales go to rescue animals in your community. Get your coffee fix and help us get animals fixed.
Priest River Animal Rescue campaigns tirelessly to prevent animal cruelty and abuse. We have an education program to teach local youth in the proper care of their pets and the importance of spay and neuter. We uncovered a local organized dogfighting operation and found this was, unfortunately, only a misdemeanor in Idaho. We were one of only two states where this cruel and inhuman sport was not a felony. We campaigned to raise public awareness of this shameful situation and are proud to announce that as of February 25, 2008, organized dogfigting is now a felony in Idaho.
Priest River Animal Rescue continues to stress the importance of identification tags on pets... and thus have tags on every pet we adopt to a new home. We also make tags available to the public. If you need one, come to our shelter and pick-up an identification tag FOR FREE. Only one dog in twenty that we rescue has any identification. You may think your dog or cat will never get lost, but always be safe and have an identification tag on their collar. Most animal shelters keep pets for only three to five days before being forced to euthanize them to make space for new animals.
Our short-term goal is to increase our network of volunteers and foster homes. Volunteers are needed for hugging kitties, brushing dogs, sorting donations for the thrift store and gardening to keep our facility attractive. We now have an animal rescue facilitiy and the Critters thrift store located on Highway 2 across the street from Mitchell's grocery store in Priest River, Idaho. In 2010, we moved into our new location and received financing to purchase the property through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program.
Another priority is to help with the "No more homeless pets" campaign that is going on nationwide. Toward that end we apply for grants that allow Priest River Animal Rescue to help with the cost of spay and neuter surgeries for many, many dogs and cats. Receipt of these grants help to assist low income families by making spay and neuter possible for under $25. Meanwhile, we will continue to spay or neuter all pets adopted through Priest River Animal Rescue.
Our long-term goal is to expand our facility and to establish a separate sanctuary where animals that have not been adopted may live out their lives in peace. In the interim, we provide foster homes to care for animals until their forever, loving homes can be found. We are ALWAYS in need of more foster homes, so if you'd like to participate, please let us know! Being a foster is a key part of the success of our rescue. Fair warning though... every animal you foster, you will give them a piece of your heart. Our fosters have been with us for years and wouldn't have it any other way.
Priest River Animal Rescue encourages you to visit our furry friends at our shelter or check out the listing of animals available on this website.