about us

From One Woman’s Passion to a Lifesaving Mission

Pound Hounds ResQ began with one woman and a simple, powerful belief: these lives matter.

In 2010, our founder Donna Darrell started volunteering at New York City Animal Care Centers (NYACC) and quickly realized the heartbreaking truth — countless animals were being euthanized, not because they were dangerous or beyond help, but simply due to overcrowding or treatable illnesses like kennel cough.

She knew these dogs could be saved — if only they had a safe place to land. A temporary home. A chance.

That spark of compassion became Pound Hounds ResQ. Today, we are a team of devoted volunteers united by one mission: to save animals from the euthanasia list and place them into loving, permanent homes. We rely on everyday heroes — fosters and adopters — who open their hearts and homes to dogs that just need someone to say yes.

We’re proud to say Pound Hounds ResQ is now the #1 rescue group saving lives from the NYC shelter system.

Because every life matters. And every dog deserves a chance to become someone’s family. 🐾

OUR philosophy

Pound Hounds ResQ is a dedicated 501(c)(3) NYC-based animal rescue committed to saving the most vulnerable animals from the NYC Animal Care Centers and other local shelters. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome at-risk dogs, providing them with the medical care, love, and support they need to thrive. Through a compassionate network of fosters and adopters, we work tirelessly to ensure every dog finds a safe, loving, and permanent home. Because every life matters, and every dog deserves a second chance.

Founded in 2014, Pound Hounds ResQ is a 5013c NYC animal rescue that is devoted to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals that come through the NYC Animal Care and Control shelter and other local shelters and places them into forever loving foster and adoptive homes.

Pound Hounds ensures all animals are physically and mentally ready for their forever home. We prepare every dog by investing in them during their stay in foster and work with that foster to determine what that dog needs. Whether it be vetting or training while they are in their foster home. Many dogs leave the shelter needing something they didn't receive in their former home.

While we believe all animals need saving and a home, our belief is saving animals in our own backyard and not shipping dogs cross country or across the world. We have an enormous problem with abandoned and homeless animals right here in NYC. Although the euthanasia rate has gone down here, we will continue our mission until they are all saved.