San Diego Dog Rescue

What We Do
& why

We work very hard to ensure that each one of our rescues is successful in their new home. We are partnered with a top San Diego training company who donates at least three private training sessions to each new rescue and their adopter!
See Adoptable Dogs!
a truly moral rescue effort

The Heroic Tail.

We are a dedicated civilian and veteran-run dog rescue, and our mission is to transform the lives of dogs deemed “unadoptable” due to behavioral challenges and to help bridge the gap between these remarkable animals and individuals in need. We are dedicated to providing compassionate care, training, and rehabilitation to help these dogs overcome their obstacles and discover their potential. Simultaneously, we focus on training and pairing exceptional dogs as service and therapy animals, enhancing the lives of people with physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

We believe that education is crucial to fostering lasting bonds between dogs and their families, which is why we offer comprehensive education initiatives and include free, personalized training with every adoption and foster. Through our commitment to understanding, patience, and empowerment, we strive to create a world where every dog has a chance to shine, and every person can benefit from the profound bond between humans and their canine companions.

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Our Adoptable Dogs

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Morgan
Leo
Bulma
Make A Difference

Together, we can build
a better world for our dogs

With your help, we hope to build a rescue system better than its ever been before. With the ability to serve more dogs in healthier ways to ensure positive outcomes for rescuers and their rescues. This is our small San Diego dog rescue goal, join us!

We take in dogs who are deemed unadoptable

So many dogs every day are euthanized because they arenadoptable, only because they haven't been properly trained.

We're partnered with a top rated training company

CRT K9 has partnered with us to train any and all of our rescues so that they can work through their traumas, and come out healthy and ready for their new homes!

In collaboration, we rescue, train, & rehome dogs

Our method of rescue, train, rehome, is what we hope to create as a pillar in the rescue world. More and more rescues are getting on board with training.

Our training process ensures happy healthy dogs ready for their new life!

We take the time to build trust with our rescues. Many of them have been through traumas that make it harder to trust humans. We work to help them through that, and to teach them how to trust and be loved.

Our adoption fees come with training included!

Part of what sets us apart as a rescue is that we strive to ensure that our adopters and fosters are not left on their own with their new dogs. Our method helps eliminate the fear and frustration that makes it harder for people to work through things with their new dogs.

Adopters have access to the head trainer at our partnered training company for the duration of their dog's life

CRT K9's head trainer is always up for helping fosters and adopters. Our fosters and adopters have full access to CRT K9 for the duration of their dogs' lives.

Seamless process

How It Works

01 Find a dog you'd like to meet

Scroll through our website and check out our adoptable dogs! Once you see someone you'd like to meet, go to step 2!

02 fill out our adoption or foster application

Once you decide whether you'd like to be a temporary foster and help a dog in need, or if you're ready to take the plunge and adopt! Fill out the application that applies to you and await our reply!

03 Schedule a Meet & greet with us

We'll review your application and get back to you within 48 hours to schedule a meet & greet with your selected pooch. If you'd like to move forward, we'll let you know what you should prepare your home with for your upcoming dog.

04 Schedule a home visit

Last step! We come to you with your selected rescue dog, and do a home visit. Assuming all goes well and you're prepared for your new dog, the next step is adoption!

05 Take your new pup home!

Before you take your new dog home, we'll have you sign our adoption agreement and submit your adoption fee, and then..... TIME TO BRING YOUR NEW FURBABY HOME!

success Stories & Happy Homes.

"They rehabilitated my rescue husky for adoption after getting him out of an unfortunate situation. He was essentially a feral dog with no concept of socialization or tempered behavior. Through their bootcamp, he became a well-behaved and extremely loving dog. I continued training and reinforcing his new behavior patterns with CRT K9 and he continues to go to day camps. Katie is always responsive and communicative about training, and the quality of her work shines through her rehabilitation program! I highly recommend CRT K9 and The Heroic Tail for your dog training and rescue services."
Stephen LuAries - Husky
"I cannot find to right words to fully describe in detail how much y’all mean to me. I would have never found such a kind and loving soul that I have with Steve. Steve is a Doberman/Shepherd that I acquired through The Heroic Tail. He was trained before I got him through CRT K9, so it was easy to get him settled in to his new life in a warm home. He’s part of the family now. He is safe and loved, and I’m glad that he found me. Thank you."
DerekSteve - Doberman Mix
"Katie is amazing! We had to surrender my mother's dog due to her declining health. She “tamed” the hellacious chihuahua and I did not even recognize Rainey when I saw her again. Gone was the snarling little beast, replaced by an attentive and respectful pup. Thank you, Katie!!!"
Christine MooreRainey - Chihuahua
"Katie was amazing and super helpful when we were adopting our dog Olive! Her hard work training Olive has definitely paid off we are amazed at how obedient Olive is. Katie really took excellent care of Olive and made sure she had the second chance she needed for a good life and my husband and I were happy to give it to her! Katie is someone we really trust and are very thankful for because she knows what’s best and we are lucky we can rely on her!"
KariOlive - Husky
"I owe so much to Katie and Heroic Tail for bringing my Genghis to me! He is my most perfect dog that I wouldn’t even be able to dream up. Katie had been working with Genghis prior to him coming to me. He was already potty trained and could walk on leash when I got him. It made his transition into my home effortless. I also appreciated how she made herself available for any questions I had in the beginning and gave great advice and guidance."
Hae WonGenghis - Husky
"I rescued my dog, Bruno in March of 2022 and honestly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m so grateful for all the help and resources that were provided even AFTER the adoption. Bruno was my first dog I’ve adopted as an adult (being the sole provider for) and I had lots of questions and without fail they were met with love, kindness, compassion and much education on how to care for my bubs in a better way. He is by far the most perfect dog on the planet and is loved by everyone who crosses paths with him."
CaseyBruno - Shepherd Mix
★★★★★ 5/5
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Inspired by our work?

We appreciate every single donation and would love to add you to our mailing list so you can receive updates on how your donation is helping us serve our rescues!

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