Saving Dogs of Dominica: A Badass Rescue Mission

Introduction

Badass Animal Rescue is preparing for one of the largest and most urgent rescue efforts in our organization's history.

In mid-June, approximately 160 dogs and cats will leave the island of Dominica aboard a Freedom Flight coordinated by rescue partners determined to give these animals a second chance at life.

Badass Animal Rescue has committed to saving 18 dogs from this mission.

But rescuing dogs is only the beginning.

On average, it costs Badass Animal Rescue approximately $950 to save a single dog: covering transportation, basic veterinary care, medical treatment, supplies, and the resources needed to prepare them for adoption.

These dogs will require basic veterinary care, medical treatment, transportation, supplies, foster homes, and ongoing support before they are ready for adoption. Many have never known the safety, stability, and care that every dog deserves.

The Saving Dogs of Dominica: A Badass Rescue Mission campaign will raise the critical funds and recruit the foster homes needed to make this rescue possible.

From June 8–19, we will take our community inside this rescue effort through powerful storytelling, introducing the dogs, sharing the realities facing animal welfare in Dominica, and showing how supporters can directly change the outcome for these animals.

Our goal is to raise $20,000 to provide the medical care, supplies, transportation, and resources needed to support these dogs once they arrive in our care. At the same time, we will be urgently recruiting foster homes, because without fosters, these dogs have nowhere to go.

This campaign is about more than fundraising.

It's about proving what is possible when a community comes together to save lives.

🐾 18 dogs to rescue
💚 $950 average cost to save one dog
🎯 $20,000 campaign goal
🏠 18 foster homes needed

Background: Why Dominica?

The situation facing dogs in Dominica is unlike anything most people in the United States can imagine.

The island is home to countless stray and abandoned dogs. Resources for animal welfare are extremely limited, veterinary care can be difficult to access, and adoption opportunities are scarce. For many dogs born on the island, survival is a daily challenge.

The reality for dogs entering the shelter is often heartbreaking. Our partner, St. Nicholas Animal Rescue, routinely takes in dogs suffering from severe injuries and trauma, including dogs hit by cars, victims of poisoning attempts, stab wounds, neglect, abuse, and other unimaginable acts of cruelty. Many arrive requiring immediate medical attention simply to survive.

Founded in 2017, St. Nicholas Animal Rescue became the island's first and only animal shelter. Since opening, the organization has been forced to relocate nine separate times due to noise complaints, community opposition, and a lack of permanent infrastructure.

Today, the rescue cares for more than 200 dogs between a shelter property and a veterinary school. Dogs are housed anywhere space can be found: classrooms, bathrooms, hallways, balconies, temporary kennels, and makeshift shelter spaces. Every available corner has become a safe haven for an animal in need.

Despite these extraordinary challenges, the shelter's staff and volunteers continue showing up every day for the animals who have nowhere else to turn.

In April 2026, the situation became even more dire.

A devastating mudslide destroyed the only road leading to the shelter property.

What was once accessible by vehicle can now only be reached by a steep, narrow half-mile dirt trail. Volunteers must hike this trail multiple times each day carrying food, water, supplies, and medical necessities to the dogs in their care. In the coming weeks, they will have to carry dogs up that same trail so they can begin their journey to safety.

For many of these animals, the upcoming Freedom Flight represents their only realistic opportunity for a future beyond the shelter.

The people of St. Nicholas Animal Rescue have never stopped fighting for these dogs. Now, Badass Animal Rescue and our supporters have the opportunity to stand alongside them.

Together, we can provide these dogs with the medical care, foster homes, and second chances they deserve.