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 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 received, 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 début documentary short film about Eric O’Grey and his rescue dogs, Peety and Jake. Viewed more than 100 million times and cited by The New York Times as California’s most-viewed news-source video of 2016, 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, we’ve created 29 short documentary films, a Mutual Rescue compilation called “The Love Is Mutual,” and two memorial montages; published a popular book; promoted Doggy Day Out programs nationally; attracted an impressive following on social media; presented at numerous conferences and events; 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, fostering, volunteering, and donating.

Watch “The Love Is Mutual”

Tomorrow

Mutual Rescue will continue to create original content that encourages people to help homeless companion animals by adopting, fostering, 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.