An Overview of Rescue Some Terms Rescue is to free from confinement, danger or evil according to Webster. What rescue means to a rescuer is saving a dog, or any animal, from some situation that could be fatal or, at best, bad for the dog, then finding that dog a safe supportive home. Dog is used universally to represent all animals for the purposes of these articles.
Rescuer encompasses all of the rescue parties, whatever their part.
Adopter is the person, family, or extended family that may take custody of the dog. An owner decides, for whatever reason, that they cannot keep their dog. Animal control turns a stray into an animal shelter, or an owner turns in their dog to a shelter. The owner turns custody of the dog over to a rescuer. A person who has found a dog passes it to the rescuer.