Frequently asked questions.

‍ ‍

Outta the Cage is a Los Angeles-based dog rescue focused on helping at-risk dogs leave the shelter system and find stable, forever homes.

We are a foster-based rescue. That means we do not have a physical shelter. Dogs in our care live in private homes, foster homes, or the homes of professional trainers who provide board-and-train support as part of our rescue program.

Because our dogs live in homes - not kennels - we can learn who they are, what they need, and what kind of family will help them succeed. Our Dogifesto explains the values behind how we do this work.

‍ ‍

Yes. Outta the Cage is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California. Our EIN is 81-2662285.

We are volunteer-run, which means donations do not go toward staff salaries. Donations support rescue work, including veterinary care, training, boarding, foster support, supplies, transport, and placement support for dogs in need. You can learn more on our Transparency page.

Most of the dogs we rescue come from local shelters in Southern California.

We focus on large-breed, long-term stay, and medical dogs. These dogs have less time and are at a higher risk for euthanasia.

We also sponsor select shelter and boarding dogs who are not formally in our rescue but still need help being seen by potential adopters and fosters. You can meet the dogs we have rescued, are sponsoring, or are championing on our Available Dogs page.

‍ ‍

We have a plan for every dog we rescue. Because we don’t have a kennel facility, this usually means a dog goes to a foster home or to one of our trainers for decompression, structure, or additional support before moving into a foster or adoptive home. Occasionally, a dog already has an adopter lined up before leaving the shelter. Those are good days.

Our frequent shelter visits mean that we can actually meet dogs and get to know them. This not only makes rescue decisions easier, but it allows us to act more quickly if a dog’s status changes and we need to act quickly.

We look at the dog’s needs, temperament, safety, available foster or training options, medical needs, urgency, and whether we have a realistic plan for the dog after they leave the shelter.

We wish we could say yes to every dog. We can’t. Saying yes without a plan can put the dog, the foster, the adopter, and the rescue at risk. Our job is to make decisions that give each dog the best chance at a safe, stable outcome. For more on the rights every shelter animal deserves, read our Shelter Animal Bill of Rights.

‍ ‍

‍Start by browsing our Available Dogs page. Each dog’s profile will tell you the next step.

If the dog is in our rescue, you’ll apply through Outta the Cage. After we review your application, we’ll talk with you, answer questions, and help determine whether the dog may be a good fit.

If it looks like a match, we’ll arrange a meet-and-greet. If you have another dog, we can help manage introductions. You can read more about the full path on our adoption and foster process page.

Our Available Dogs page includes both Outta the Cage dogs and select dogs from local shelters or boarding facilities.

Some dogs are in our rescue and should be adopted or fostered through us. Others are dogs we know who we’re helping by giving them more visibility. Those dogs may still be at a shelter or boarding facility, and their profiles will tell you who to contact.

Either way, the goal is the same: help the dog get seen as an individual so they have a better chance at a home.

Check the dog’s profile. If the dog is in our rescue, the profile will direct you to apply through Outta the Cage.

If the dog is at a local shelter or boarding facility, the profile will direct you to contact that shelter or facility directly.

If you’re unsure, reach out. We’re happy to point you in the right direction.

Don’t let us stand in your way.

If the dog is available to the public at a shelter, you can usually go directly to the shelter and adopt the dog. Make sure you have the dog’s shelter ID number and that you bring your driver’s license or other form of identification.

If the dog is rescue-only, or if the profile tells you to contact us first, reach out and we’ll help with next steps.

Maybe.

We prioritize thoughtful, successful placements over geography alone. In some cases, we may be able to work with an out-of-area adopter, especially if we have an adoption partner who can help support the placement.

If you’re seriously interested in one of our dogs, contact us and tell us where you live.

‍Yes - and fostering is one of the most important ways to help.

Foster homes give dogs a safe place to land while they wait for adoption. They also help us learn how a dog behaves in a real home, which leads to better matches and better outcomes.

‍To foster for Outta the Cage, you need to live in Southern California, specifically Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, or Ventura counties.

Start with our foster guidelines, then complete the application.

‍Yes, if the dog is in our rescue and you are seriously considering adoption. A foster-to-adopt trial gives you, the dog, and everyone in your household time to see whether it’s the right fit before making a lifelong commitment. You can learn more on our adoption and foster process page.

The most powerful way to volunteer with us is to foster.

Every foster home creates space for a dog to leave the shelter system and gives us a better chance to understand that dog as an individual.

If you can’t foster, we occasionally need help with transport, events, photography, and other rescue support. Contact us and tell us how you’d like to help.

Usually, no - unless we have already met the dog.

We get hundreds of requests to help specific shelter dogs. Many are out of state or across the country. We understand why people reach out, but we cannot responsibly rescue dogs we haven’t met, assessed, or planned for.

Our focus is local because we can better evaluate, represent, and support dogs in Southern California.

If you’re trying to help a shelter dog we don’t know, the best thing to do is post your interest on the dog’s Instagram or Facebook thread and look for local networkers or rescues who work with that particular shelter.

‍No. Outta the Cage is not an open-door rehoming service, and we are not able to respond to individual rehoming requests.

Our mission is to help at-risk shelter dogs. Rehoming a pet is a different process from rescuing one from a shelter, and it requires different rules of engagement.

When people contact us for help rehoming a pet, we refer them to Adopt a Pet or Home to Home.

Jill wrote more about why this boundary matters in: The new debate in rescue is whether rehoming fees are fair.

Because trust starts with knowing the dog.

Before we rescue a dog, we need to understand as much as we can about their history, behavior, medical situation, and the best next step. That helps us make better decisions for the dog and for the people who may foster or adopt them.

Rescue is not just getting a dog out of a shelter. Rescue means having a responsible plan for what happens next.

Yes, sometimes.

We do not rescue based on pedigree. We rescue and network dogs based on need, fit, urgency, and whether we have a responsible plan for them.

We don’t condone breeding while so many dogs are waiting in shelters, but we know purebred dogs end up in shelters too. If a dog needs help and we can help responsibly, breed is not the deciding factor.

Sometimes euthanasia is the kindest and most responsible option.

Some dogs are too sick, too injured, or too traumatized to leave the shelter safely or humanely. In those cases, euthanasia may be the most compassionate choice for the dog and the safest choice for people.

We work hard to make those situations the exception, not the rule. Our Shelter Animal Bill of Rights explains the standard of care and dignity we believe shelter animals deserve.

‍Our funding comes from private donations from individuals, foundations, fundraising activities, and supporters who believe in our work.

Those donations help pay for veterinary care, training, boarding, foster support, supplies, transport, and partner-rescue support.

Donations support the dogs and the work required to help them safely move from shelter or boarding into foster and adoptive homes.

That includes medical care, spay/neuter, vaccinations, emergency treatment, food, supplies, training, board-and-train support, transport, adoption support, and other rescue expenses.

Outta the Cage is entirely volunteer-run, with no paid staff, allowing more of every donation to go directly toward saving shelter dogs.

‍You can visit our Transparency page for recent financial snapshots, IRS Form 990-EZ filings, and nonprofit transparency information.

We believe transparency is part of compassion. If you have questions about our finances, policies, or programs, contact us.