For over a century, American Humane’s Red Star® Rescue has been at the forefront of lifesaving efforts, starting in 1916 during World War I. Originally established to rescue and care for the thousands of wounded horses on the battlefields, Red Star Rescue quickly evolved into a vital force in national and global animal rescue operations. After the war, it pivoted to responding to animals caught in natural disasters, from rescuing farm animals stranded by the Mississippi River flood in 1937 to aiding wildlife affected by oil spills and hurricanes.

Throughout the years, American Humane has deployed to some of the most devastating disasters in modern history, including the Pearl Harbor recovery efforts, the eruption of Mount St. Helens, Hurricane Katrina, and even the tragic events of 9/11, where we provided medical care for search-and-rescue dogs. More recently, our teams have continued to respond to large-scale emergencies such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, providing critical supplies and care for animals in crisis.

Today, we remain ready to respond at a moment’s notice with a fleet of state-of-the-art rescue vehicles stationed across the country. From Pearl Harbor to Hurricane Helene, we have served animals whenever and wherever they are in need. Our mission continues as we adapt to the needs of animals during disasters and large-scale emergencies. To help, we ensure that animals receive the food, medical supplies, and care they need during these challenging times.

American Humane’s Red Star Rescue program is a legacy of compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to saving animals in their hour of greatest need.