There are thousands of organizations doing rescue work, but organizations vary tremendously in structure, resources, policies, animal-care practices, governance, and operational systems.

The National Animal Rescue Standards Organization (NARSO) is being created to strengthen the animal rescue community by establishing clear, evidence-informed standards for responsible rescue and giving organizations practical tools to put those standards into action.

NARSO’s work will address the full picture of responsible rescue, including animal health and welfare, foster care, adoption practices, organizational leadership, financial stewardship, volunteer management, recordkeeping, transparency, and ethical operations. Alongside the standards, NARSO will develop practical resources, templates, toolkits, and Rescue Academy training designed to help rescue organizations strengthen their programs, solve common operational challenges, and build sustainable practices.

At the center of NARSO’s work will be a voluntary certification program that gives rescue organizations a meaningful way to demonstrate their commitment to responsible, humane, and transparent practices. Certification will be supported by education and resources, making NARSO more than a set of standards: it will be a framework for helping rescues grow stronger while giving adopters, donors, partners, and communities greater confidence in the organizations they support.

NARSO is currently being built in collaboration with rescue leaders and professionals across animal welfare, veterinary medicine, law, finance, technology, and other areas of expertise. Together, we are working toward a future where responsible rescue is supported, strengthened, and recognizable.