Spark

The idea for a national initiative to benefit people and homeless companion animals started on June 23, 2015, when Carol Novello and David Whitman first met—thanks to their friend Sally Hazard Bourgoin. Marshaling resources, they officially launched Mutual Rescue on February 14, 2016, with a documentary short film called “Eric & Peety” and a national call for stories. From hundreds of inspirational stories received, five were selected for filming that season. Several other top contenders were later featured in the book Mutual Rescue: How Adopting a Homeless Animal Can Save You, Too. 

First Film

“Eric & Peety,” Mutual Rescue’s 2016 début documentary short film—about Eric O’Grey and his rescue dogs, Peety and Jake—rapidly surpassed 100 million views online. All around the world, it generated conversations, comments, reviews, broadcasts, podcasts, screenings, translations, talks, workshops, interviews, articles, and awards—motivating even more people to adopt companion animals. In 2016, Mutual Rescue’s “Eric & Peety” was California’s #1 news-source video, according to The New York Times.

Watch “Eric & Peety”

Today

Mutual Rescue has created 13 short documentary films with more than 153 million total online views; published a thought-provoking book; established replicable programs; directed $160,000 in cash grants to animal shelters nationwide; inspired greater philanthropic giving to animal-welfare causes; encouraged individuals and businesses to support their community animal shelters through adopting, volunteering, and donating; and motivated innumerable people to embark on their own mutual rescue journeys with a companion animal.

Watch the Film Series Preview

Tomorrow

Mutual Rescue will continue to create original content that encourages people to help homeless companion animals by adopting, volunteering, and donating to animal-welfare organizations in their communities. We are building our base of corporate support nationally to benefit independent animal shelters and rescue groups at the local level.

Programs