Spark

The spark that ignited the Mutual Rescue initiative happened in the summer of 2015, when Carol Novello and David Whitman first met—thanks to their mutual friend Sally Hazard Bourgoin.

Mutual Rescue was launched on February 14, 2016, with the release of a short film called “Eric & Peety” and a national call for stories of mutual rescue.

From hundreds of inspirational stories, Mutual Rescue judges selected five for filming that year: “Kylie & Liza,” “Tracy & Jack,” “Josh & Scout,” “Jessi & Andi,” and “Mike & Abbie.” Several other top contenders were later featured in Novello’s book Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too. 

First Film

“Eric & Peety” is Mutual Rescue’s 2016 first documentary short film, about Eric O’Grey and his rescue dogs Peety and Jake. Viewed more than 100 million times in 2016 alone and cited by The New York Times as California’s most-viewed news-source video of that year, it has generated conversations, comments, reviews, broadcasts, podcasts, screenings, translations, talks, workshops, interviews, articles, and awards—motivating innumerable people worldwide to embark on their own mutual rescue journeys.

Today

To date, Mutual Rescue has created 40 documentary shorts; made essential foster toolkits and Spanish language materials accessible to all animal shelters; published a book; presented at numerous animal welfare conferences and events; awarded more than $250k in cash grants to animal shelters; and inspired individuals and businesses to support their local animal shelters through adopting, fostering, volunteering, and donating. 

Watch “The Love Is Mutual”

Our Mission

Mutual Rescue is dedicated to saving lives and inspiring change for animals and people everywhere. We deliver national impact at a local level––connecting brands with animal shelters and rescue partners across the United States and Mexico, creating accessible animal shelter resources, and motivating public audiences through authentic storytelling from the big screen to the phone screen. 

Contact us if you’d like to connect on ways to sponsor or partner with Mutual Rescue.