AMI Pup Rescue, Inc. was founded by three individuals that had spent many years in the dog rescue community. We had adopted from and fostered for other rescues, volunteered walking dogs, cleaning kennels, and supported many fundraisers. We wanted to give back more significantly. AMI Pup Rescue was founded to fill the continuing growing need to pull and re-home dogs from our local overloaded shelters. We built a foster-based organization on Anna Maria Island (AMI) with the collaborative support of the Island veterinarian and an Island grooming facility. Our rescue is supported by two, very experienced advisors: both have worked in dog rescue for a combined 30 years; one of whom started and ran her own boxer rescue for several years. We were blessed to have them join our organization and welcome their guidance. Their contributions to our rescue during set up proved instrumental in the rescue hitting the ground running in March 2021. They continue that great support to this day.
In our first year, which amounted to just nine months, we were able to help 64 dogs from area shelters, with the support of fosters that opened their homes to these dogs. We give them needed veterinary and grooming care as well as re-home them into loving, long-term homes.  
We often bring in dogs to our rescue that have suffered years of neglect. Benji, shown below, was taken to a shelter by a neighborhood Good Samaritan. Benji had been wandering the neighborhood for months and was severely matted. She was in contact with us later and told us she clipped a pound of matted fur from his face just so that he could see.  


 We went directly from the shelter to our groomer on the island -- his fur was matted to the skin over his entire body. Most of the fur that was shaved came off in one single pelt. 


And this:


Some of these dogs can be so resilient...Benji never complained through the grooming process and was just a 'happy go lucky' dog thereafter. So sweet and well adjusted. We can say that there is nothing better watching a dog, who has had limited movement for months or years due to extensive matting, run free in a yard! He was thrilled!

Even better is the eventual adoption photo of him (on the right) with his new family - check out the big smile -- and knowing that he will have the best of care for the rest of his life!