About The Rescue
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue Inc. Organized January 26, 2009
Our Mission
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue (HHDR) provides a compassionate approach to dog rescue by matching homeless dogs from overcrowded shelter systems with loving homes.
HHDR is a 501 (C)(3) non-profit organization funded by donations, fundraisers and adoption fees, that works to find forever homes for rescue dogs in the Central New York area. HHDR is located at 7268 Caswell Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212.
Our team of dedicated staff is well supported by an army of volunteers and as a result we are able to successfully place over 1,700 dogs annually into loving homes.
Our Journey
Our journey began in 2008 when a group of like-minded citizens came together to save a momma beagle and her pups from euthanasia. It was Christmas time and there was no plan beyond giving the gift of life to this canine family. It didn’t take long for the next dog in need to arrive and the idea of Helping Hounds took root and was incorporated into a not-for-profit organization in January 2009. We quickly outgrew the space that was rented and moved into a leased building in Dewitt in 2010. In 2018, we began to make plans to own a home of our own when the Dewitt building was put on the market. We purchased and renovated a building that was once the recreational center for the Air Force and moved into our new home on Caswell Street in North Syracuse in January, 2020 – just before the Covid-19 pandemic changed the world.
Lola Jean, the first HHDR rescue, passed in 2013 at the age of 16. In her last years, she knew love, safety and kindness and her memory lives on to remind us that together, we can make a difference in the life of an unwanted dog.
Our Programs
- Adoption
- Volunteer
- Donate
Our adoption program is the heart of HHDR and we are very proud of it. As with most things we do, there is a team of people in place to help screen applicants and match families to the dog that would most likely thrive in the life they offer. Each year, our adoption program reaches more dogs and more families, saving thousands of lives.
We honor and respect the work being done on the front lines by traditional shelters and dog control facilities. Too often, their efforts to save our canine companions from life on the streets, neglect and abuse end with the heartbreaking decision to euthanize them when the rate of intake outpaces the rate of adoption. When space is limited and resources not plentiful, a life is given to help another. This harsh reality is much more prevalent in the southern states than here in our community.
Our program steps in and offers an alternative by transferring them to us to make the space that is needed to help the next one.
More Than a Rescue—A Community
Helping Hounds runs on the hearts and hands of volunteers. From dog walking and event support to helping match families with their perfect pup, our volunteers are part of every happy ending.
Whether you’re ready to commit monthly or just want to help when you can, there’s a role for you.
Give a Dog a Second Chance
Every donation to Helping Hounds helps save lives—from transport and medical care to training and supplies. Whether it’s a one-time gift, a recurring donation, or purchasing from our wish list, your generosity helps dogs and their families thrive.
Your support fuels Rescue Done Right.
Visit Us At Our North Syracuse Location
Come visit us at Helping Hounds and meet our adoptable dogs. Whether you’re ready to adopt, volunteer, or learn more about what we do, we’re here to welcome you.
7268 Caswell Street, North Syracuse, NY 13212
Visiting Hours
A fully processed application is required to visit the rescue.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 12:00PM – 06:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00PM – 05:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00PM – 03:00 PM