To provide animals a safe environment while locating responsible and permanent homes and educating owners on the importance of proper animal care.
“Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test…consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.” ― Milan Kundera
Vanguard Animal Rescue is located on 6 acres in Athens, TN and operates as a not-for-profit animal rescue. The owners, Darren, and Christi LaRue, originally from Chicago, Il, relocated to Tennessee with the desire to help animals live the best lives they can.
My wife and I have been lifelong animal lovers and have owned or rescued everything from dogs and cats to birds and exotic animals. We rescued our first dogs in October of 1998 while I was serving in the military in Germany. Shortly after that, we rescued a 2 year old German Rottweiler who was going to be put down due to behavorial issues. We trained him, brought him back to the US, and found him a great home. We have been rescueing animals ever since. My wife and I currently live on the rescue with our daughter and seven dogs.
The dream of Vanguard Animal Rescue has always been to provide a safe, healthy, and happy location for animals, no matter the circumstances. At Vanguard Animal Rescue we strive to provide animals the very best care and environment while locating a safe and permanent home.
Vanguard Animal Rescue is a specialty rescue and sanctuary that handles "Last Chance" animals that will end up being euthanized for behavorial problems, severe aggression, or long term medical concerns. Vanguard Animal Rescue does not accept animals from the general public, instead we work with county animal control, police, animal welfare services, and other rescues to locate and recover these animals. Once arriving at the rescue all animals undergo a medical exam, vaccines, spay or neuter, and microchip. After the aniamal is cleared medically, they begin the three month training and socialization program to get them prepared to re-enter the world and find a forever home. Any animals that are not cleared medically or do not complete the program are kept at the Vanguard Animal Sanctuary to live out the rest of there lives in a safe and loving enviroment.
At this time we do not have any animals currently available for adoption. Please continue to check the site as new updates and animals are added.
Please send us a message if the answer to your question is not here.
There are many ways to donate to our rescue! You can donate online through our website, mail a check to our address, or drop off supplies in person. We are always in need of food, toys, blankets, and other supplies.
We do not outsource to foster homes as we deal with "last chance" animals and have a strict but highly successful process for socializing and training animals with behavorial issues. We are in constant need of volunteers to help care for the animals. Please reach out if you are interested in volunteering.
We strongly recommend that you spend time thinking about the type of aniaml you want to bring into your family. What size? Do you prefer male or female? Are you looking for an animal with energy for playing/working or more of a lazy, just "hang around" type of personality? All animals have general traits by breed but they also have individual personalities, so knowing what you want will greatly help us in narrowing down your options as well as an increased chance of a successful adoption.