About

How AARF is Different

AARF is a highly recognized animal rescue in the greater Winston-Salem area that provides foster care, medical services, and adoption to homeless, abandoned, surrendered, and sick animals so they can have a new lease on life. We are a no-kill, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Through adoption, spay/neuter, high quality animal care professionals, community outreach and education, AARF helps to improve the health of our pet community that in turn improves the health of our entire community.

AARF is unique in that it will accept difficult to adopt cats and dogs. AARF often provides medical services and training to challenging animals unable to find other services.

However, there are times when AARF is unable to accept an animal into the program. Not because we don’t want to, but because we are often at full capacity and AARF simply may not have room or a foster family available.   

Our Mission

AARF is a nonprofit organization serving the Winston-Salem area dedicated to finding loving homes for dogs and cats through rescue, foster care, veterinary services, adoption, and education.

Our Vision

We envision all cats and dogs living in safe, secure, and permanent homes where they will find respect and love.  

Our History

In 1995, AARF was started by a small group of people wanting to make a difference in the lives of homeless cats and dogs. That same year, sanctioned by the state, they were granted nonprofit status with by-laws and a Board of Directors. Through fundraisers, adoption fees, and dedicated volunteers, in 2004 AARF found its home at 311 Harvey Street in Winston-Salem. In 2006, they hired a part-time director, established regular office hours, and expanded adoption fairs. In 2017, the Board of Directors went from four to twelve members who wrote new and comprehensive by-laws. With an operating budget of over $180,000, AARF was able to find homes for 1,000 cats and dogs in 2017. In 2018, AARF began a search for a new home. And in the summer of 2022, we moved into our newly built, state-of-the-art, 6,000-square-foot facility.

Why We Rescue

Times have changed. Some of us remember when having a pet was simple. Feed them, let them out, play with them, and make an occasional visit to the vet. We weren’t concerned with how much exercise they got, their special diets, or how long they were left alone. In recent years behavioral research has made an enormous contribution to our understanding of animals. We now have an in-depth profile of the animal’s behavior, the dynamics of human-animal interaction, and the special nature of the interspecies bond that has profoundly changed the way people think about and treat animals. This research has paved the way for a more respectful attitude and a deeper relationship with our four-legged friends. Today, pets are considered companions. Cats and dogs have a special place in our lives and in our hearts. Whenever we encounter a lost, abandoned, neglected, or abused cat or dog, we feel it is our civic and humane duty to RESCUE and SAVE that animal. We recognize they are intelligent, sensitive beings that deserve a long, happy life. We make that possible every time we rescue a cat or dog. Knowing that they will be healthy and loved in a permanent home is the best reward.

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