Dog rescue is far more than finding homes for adorable pets, it's a complex operation involving logistics, volunteer coordination, transportation, medical care, fundraising, and careful matchmaking. In this episode, Sarah and Dr. Elouise welcome Heather Fotch, better known throughout procurement as the "Toner Queen" and the Ohio and Michigan representative for the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation, to pull back the curtain on what actually happens behind the scenes. Heather explains how rescue organizations operate without shelters, relying instead on nationwide networks of volunteers, foster homes, transport teams, veterinarians, and donors to move dogs from difficult situations into permanent homes. The conversation explores everything from intake assessments and behavioral matching to fundraising, veterinary partnerships, adoption screening, and the emotional realities of working with surrendering owners. Throughout the discussion, Sarah and Dr. Elouise draw parallels between procurement, supply chain management, and rescue operations, demonstrating that successful dog rescue depends on thoughtful planning, data, relationships, and operational excellence just as much as compassion. Inspired by Heather's incredible work? The Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation is a 100% volunteer-run nonprofit that relies on donations to provide veterinary care, transportation, foster support, and rescue services for Italian Greyhounds across the United States. ❤️ Make a donation: Support the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation Key Points: • Dog Rescue Is a Supply Chain Operation: Successful rescues rely on intake processes, transportation networks, foster capacity, veterinary partnerships, funding, and volunteer coordination—not simply finding dogs new homes. • Matching Matters More Than Speed: Rescue organizations prioritize matching each dog's personality, medical needs, and behaviors with the right foster and adoptive families to create successful lifelong placements. • Volunteers Are the Backbone of Rescue: Foster families, transport volunteers, adoption coordinators, veterinarians, grant writers, and donors all play critical roles in keeping rescue organizations operational. • Adoption Fees Don't Cover the Real Cost: Veterinary care, emergency surgeries, medications, transportation, and ongoing medical treatment far exceed adoption fees, making fundraising and donations essential to every rescue's success. ✨Highlights✨ 00:00 Introduction to our special guest and exploring the behind-the-scenes logistics of Italian Greyhound rescue 06:15 Heather introduces the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation (IGRF) and explains how the national volunteer-based rescue organization operates 13:29 How Heather manages rescue operations using simple tools to coordinate volunteers, fosters, and adoptions 20:03 How dogs are matched with foster homes rather than simply finding the first available placement 25:04 How the rescue fully funds veterinary care through fundraising, grants, and donations 35:14 Building long-term veterinary partnerships and negotiating rescue discounts while maintaining strong payment practices 43:49 Why financial donations are often more valuable than physical items 50:20 Transport logistics, including volunteer drivers and the incredible network that helps move dogs safely 51:01 How six volunteer pilots flew one rescued dog over 15 hours to its new home 57:17 Heather offers advice for adopters, foster families, volunteers, common misconceptions about rescue work, and where listeners can support the Italian Greyhound Rescue Foundation Please make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode and, as always, submit questions and topics suggestions for future podcasts here: https://shorturl.at/PbNi6 Follow us on YouTube for episode video recordings: https://rb.gy/t5hbw8 Hosts: Sarah Scudder and Dr. Elouise Epstein Producer: Sabrina Mougin
