The Animal Rescue Site and GreaterGood.org have been saving animals’ lives for 13 years, but we’re still taken aback every time we see the life-changing transformations our programs (and your clicks, purchases, and donations!) make possible.

In celebration of our 13th anniversary, we’re looking back at 13 of the most jaw-dropping rescues we’ve witnessed since we began this work in 2002.

See the amazing stories below, and give yourself a pat on the back! It’s because of your support that these rescues are possible!

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1. Sierra

Animals entering the shelter system are often injured or very sick, requiring immediate and expensive care. Sierra Nevada was one of these animals. On New Year’s Eve 2014, she was hit by a car and taken to an Arizona shelter. Her leg needed to be amputated, but the shelter didn’t have the resources to perform the surgery. Thanks to sponsorship from The Animal Rescue Site, a local rescue group was able to step in and shoulder the heavy financial burden of the operation. Sierra made a full recovery and was adopted into a new, loving family.

2. Lavender, Winnie, Davy and Orlando

Since the start of 2015, nearly 2,000 sea lion pups have washed up — starving and alone — on California’s beaches, and researchers aren’t sure why. Luckily, Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) has worked hard to save these stranded pups during tough years like this one. Lavender, Winnie, Davy and Orlando were some of the lucky ones. On March 15, 2015, they were released back into the wild after weeks of rehab and care from PMMC. Click here to watch them return to the water! It’s pretty unforgettable.

3. Lace

A blurry, poorly framed photo of an animal that is scared and confused can hurt its chances of adoption. Take Lace for example. When shelter staff first met her, she wouldn’t even let them get close enough to touch her. After weeks of working with her to earn her trust, they finally broke her out of her shell, so much so that made her comfortable enough for a photo shoot! Not long after, a wonderful couple spotted her online and adopted her. Without the rescue staff’s training from the One Picture Saves a Life program, Lace’s story would have been much different.

4. Paw Paw

Paw Paw was brought to Australia Wildlife Hospital’s (AWH) care in November 2005 after being found with a septic wound on his wrist. He underwent a delicate operation and was placed on a long course of antibiotics. His recovery was uncertain — septic wounds can turn fatal quickly. Miraculously, volunteers watched the little guy regain strength by the day. Three months and hundreds of hours of care later, AWH staff released Paw Paw back to freedom in the wild.

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