Kingston Animal Rescue

Portrait of Kingston Animal Rescue

In 2010 I was right in the middle of growing my real estate career and I was volunteering with animal shelters quite often. From that, I learned that there was a need in our community for a different way to help animals. I began pursuing the idea of starting an animal rescue here in Kingston and with the help of my amazing Co- Founders we created Kingston Animal Rescue, a 100% volunteer run no-kill animal rescue charity.

Throughout the years we have worked to make this organization grow to where it is now and we were able to recruit many volunteers and foster homes to help us. The Kingston community has been amazing as there truly is always a need but we often fi nd people willing to help!

Running the animal rescue keeps me busy but it is such important work and I’m lucky enough to have great volunteers to help. It is a passion of mine that I am very proud of and would be happy to answer any questions you may have or even help you adopt or foster an animal once I help you find and move into the perfect home 🙂

Helping both people and animals find homes is what I do!

For more info about my organization: Kingston Animal Rescue

Portrait of Jessica Hellard Kingston Animal Rescue

What We Do

  • Founded in 2010, Kingston Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run, no-kill animal rescue group.
  • We rescue and find forever homes for animals in need.
  • We are a registered charity. (83024 4802 RR0001).

Using a network of foster homes, we take in last chance animals – animals that are at high risk of euthanasia or those that would otherwise be at risk without our help. This includes animals at shelters and stray animals. We also assist in emergency rescues, including small animals removed from neglectful situations.

Our priority is small animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, hedgehogs, ferrets, and others, as there is no other rescue group in our community dedicated to these types of animals. We regularly take in cats and occasionally dogs. We rarely accept owner surrendered animals.

Portrait of Rabbit Kingston Animal Rescue

As a no-kill rescue, our animals stay in foster homes until they are adopted. We work to educate the public about the proper care and treatment of animals as well as the pet overpopulation crisis and the importance of spaying/neutering and adoption.

In 2012-13 Kingston Animal Rescue championed the creation of a by-law to ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in Kingston pet stores. After an intense year of council meetings, petitioning and public outreach, a by-law that restricts the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in Kingston pet stores to shelter and/or rescue animals only came into effect on August 14, 2013. Kingston now has one of the most progressive pet store by-laws in the country.

Portrait of Jessica at Kingston Animal Rescue Booth

Our Mission

To end the suffering of animals with rescue, rehabilitation, adoption and education.

Portrait of Jessica Hellard walking in parade

Our Goals

  1. To rescue, rehabilitate and find suitable adoptive homes for animals in need.
  2. To provide emergency animal rescue and disaster response services when possible.
  3. To end the euthanasia of adoptable animals in shelters by educating the public and reducing the number of unwanted animals using sterilization and education campaigns
  4. To promote and educate the public about the humane and proper care and treatment of animals (including the importance of spay/neuter), and the importance of adoption.
  5. To partner, assist and work together with other animal organizations, shelters, individuals and communities to accomplish joint goals to prevent and end the suffering of animals.

Portrait of Jessica Hellard and Friends at the Kingston Animal Rescue


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