Spark

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

Marshaling resources, they officially launched Mutual Rescue on February 14, 2016—a day celebrating the power of love—with an original short documentary film called “Eric & Peety” and a call for stories of mutual rescue.

From hundreds of inspirational stories received, Mutual Rescue judges across the U.S. selected five for filming: “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 début documentary short film about Eric O’Grey and his rescue dogs, Peety and Jake. Viewed more than 100,000,000 times worldwide, it has 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 top news-source film of the year, as noted in The New York Times.

Watch “Eric & Peety”

Today

Mutual Rescue has motivated innumerable people worldwide to embark on their own mutual rescue journeys.

It has created 13 documentary films and a series of very short thematic films called Mutual Rescue Moments; published a popular book; established replicable programs like Doggy Day Out; directed $180,000 in unrestricted cash grants to animal shelters throughout the U.S.; inspired greater philanthropic giving to animal-welfare causes; and encouraged individuals and businesses to support their community animal shelters through adopting, volunteering, and donating.

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 community animal shelters and rescue groups throughout the United States.