Wonder Dog Rescue has a long history of rescuing dogs in need! Our founder, Linda Beenau, was introduced to rescue in 1992. She assisted Nancy Ford, a long-time Boston and Pug rescuer. Over time she formed Bay Area Boston Terrier Rescue. As time went on, the group grew, and began helping dogs of all sizes, shapes and breeds. Wonder Dog Rescue is the synthesis of this progression.

We are a dedicated volunteer group, serving the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, and rescuing dogs from all over Northern and Central California. Wonder Dog Rescue has saved blind and deaf dogs, puppies as young as two weeks and seniors as old as 15! We offer hospice to special needs and elderly dogs, caring for them until the end of their lives. Each animal has so much to offer… and we learn so much by opening our hearts to these deserving companions.

When a dog comes into rescue he or she is evaluated carefully. All dogs receive vaccinations and are spayed or neutered, and some dogs receive additional medical care or behavior modification. We work with each dog, giving them the love and structure they need to move onward. Dogs stay in foster homes until they are matched with their ideal family. We want these adoptions to be life long, and take this very seriously!

In February, 2010 Wonder Dog signed a lease for a new home! Our office is located at 650 Fillmore Street, at Hayes. Although it was scary at first, especially financially, being the first rescue group in SF to have a professional space has brought many wonderful people and projects to us!

In 2010 our web page received over 740,000 hits, from 94 different countries! It was a pretty amazing year for us!

read on.... ==:o)

A grant from the Shaw Family Fund in late 2010 was used to purchase a van. This vehicle is used locally. However, its primary purpose is to transport dogs from kill shelters to rescue groups... to get them to safety! The van travels between Los Angeles and the Canadian border.... thanks to the tireless efforts of Lee Kinsel and Jessica Carter/SOAR (Southern Oregon Animal Rescue) We now have a snazzy wrap on the van too, as you'll see from photos. I initially resisted "decorating" the van. It did not take long to realize, however, that a wrap would become a 'mobile billboard,'sharing the rescue message to thousands of people on every trip. Thanks to SIGNS NOW in Santa Rosa and the Hengehold Truck company, the vehicle wrap was paid in full!

We're currently partnering with JR Fleming and Unstuck Productions on a documentary entitled "Guarding Dogs" (www.guardingdogs.com). This amazing film spotlights the plight of dogs.... JR and company are in pre-production now. Please check them out on Facebook and the web page, to learn more.... and to participate with a video of YOUR rescue dog!

In June, 2011 WDR is launching a partnership with AVACA, an incredible SF-based organization - www.avacawisdominstitute.com/ Did you know that there is NO court-ordered training program for animal abusers in this country? This is about to change. AVACA and WDR will begin a program which will be available live in San Francisco and nationally via the AVACA online classroom. AVACA's founder is shaping the Animal program on her years of experience in the Violence Prevention and Anger Management fields. We're proud and humbled to be invited to be a part of this ground-breaking program.

Ever wonder about how today's youth could be incredible leaders of the future? We do... And in July, 2011 WDR is embarking on a youth training program! Free training classes will be offered to teenagers, taught by our teen volunteers. JR will be filming this process in order to make a training video. These youth ambassadors will be traveling to schools with the video and support materials, to bring the "rescue message" to their contemporaries. Classes will be held at our home office and at the 16th Street PETCO store!

And we still hold adoption events! We'll never stop rescuing dogs.... this is a phenomenally rewarding 'job'... Until the day when there are no more, please Rescue...

With Gratitude to all, for your support and kindness.
Linda Beenau