START Animal Rescue

Introducing JACK SPARROW. JACK was set to be euthanized at the busy Stockton Shelter in California, but thankfully one of our rescue partners in the Pacific Northwest, stepped up to welcome him and he was scheduled to leave on our transport that same day. But during his medical exam, we discovered JACK SPARROW was heartworm positive, which meant he could no longer travel. 💔

We didn’t want to leave him behind to die in a shelter, so we scrambled to find another plan… and we did.

JACK SPARROW is now safe with a wonderful paid medical boarder in California! She agreed to care for him and take him to all his vet appointments.

His second heartworm test came back positive, as expected, but only for adult worms and not microfilaria, which is encouraging.

And when JACK SPARROW went to the vet… everyone completely fell in love with him.

He is incredibly sweet, charming, and full of joy.

Right now, the hardest part is keeping this happy boy calm. Dogs undergoing heartworm treatment need to keep their heart rates low, so the vet is sending medication to help him rest and get safely through treatment.

Thank you all for helping us give JACK SPARROW the second chance he deserves. He will be costly to save, but we are committed and grateful to for committing to his care after we treat him for the heartworm.

We’ll keep you updated as he heals
➡️We are accepting donations for him at
➡️startrescue.org
➡️just click donate
➡️and write “Jack Sparrow in the note

RANGO was only FOUR MONTHS OLD when he was euthanasia-listed at Stanislaus in May 2025.
At the shelter, he was extremely mouthy and overstimulated…likely one of the reasons he kept being overlooked. And as a black dog, he was already up against another heartbreaking reality: black dogs are so often passed by in shelters, despite being just as loving, goofy, beautiful, and deserving as every other dog there.
START decided to save his life and give him the time, training, and patience he needed.
He came to Portland and landed in an AMAZING foster home with people who were committed to seeing him succeed. His foster family worked hard with him, helped him learn better manners, and watched him slowly grow into the wonderful dog he was always capable of becoming.
And somewhere along the way… they fell completely in love.
Today, RANGO is officially adopted by his fosters. ❤️
He now spends his days watching the world go by from his favorite window (his family literally rearranged their living room so he could have the best view), going on walks, playing with people, and simply being a deeply loved dog.
Thank you to his fosters, and now ADOPTERS, for saving this boy’s life.
🐾Please consider adopting a BLACK CAT OR DOG. 🐾They are so often overlooked, and they have so much love to give.