Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe
Making People's and Pets' Lives Better
Mission
Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe is an educational non-profit dedicated to the well-being of pets and people everywhere. Our mission is to reduce the inflow of pets into shelters, and prevent incidents of animal cruelty - through innovative pet therapy, humane education, and community-building programs.
Ruling year
2018
Founder & CEO
Aaron Fisher
Main address
913 Cherokee Ave SE
Atlanta, GA 30315 USA
EIN
82-3388486
NTEE code
Animal Related Activities N.E.C. (D99)
Public, Society Benefit - Multipurpose and Other N.E.C. (W99)
Youth Centers, Clubs, (includes Boys/Girls Clubs)- Multipurpose (O20)
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.
Communication
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Despite so much good that's been accomplished for Atlanta's pets, the number of animals entering area shelters continues to rise...as does the incidence of animal cruelty and the number of "bite cases." Few local rescue groups have the personnel to offer the educational resources to prevent animals from entering shelters in the first place. Simply put, as a society, we haven't spayed/neutered, sheltered, or adopted our way out of the pet overpopulation and animal cruelty problems affecting the community. Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe addresses the root cause(s) of these issues through innovative pet therapy, community-building, and humane education programs that focus on the critical aspects of prevention and healthy human-animal interactions.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Can I Pet Your Dog?
Children learn the basics of how to safely and comfortably approach a dog, what we can learn from a dog's behavior, and the best way to care for pets in general. This fun and engaging class is accompanied by a short story and one of our therapy dogs. Great for ages 3 and up.
The One Leash Project
In this innovative and interactive module (for participants ages 8-adult), students learn to fashion dog leashes from re-purposed climbing rope. Interwoven throughout the program, we cover safe and humane pet practices; environmental sustainability and the importance of reducing and reusing (more than 3,000 lbs of material has been kept out of landfills since 2108 through this program); and students write notes dedicating their leash to a special person or pet in their life. Hundreds of leashes in this program have been provided free of charge to local first responders, whom we train how to secure loose pets in emergencies.
At the heart of this, and all our programs, we promote empathy, kindness, and compassion: toward pets, the planet, and people.
Careers in Animal Welfare
An overview of the growing number of careers in animal welfare, with a focus on the various skills required (science, technology, engineering, arts, math). Perfect for STEM/STEAM nights and career days. Students are taught how they can pursue careers that benefit the pets in their communities, and are provided resources for meaningful internships, volunteer opportunities, apprenticeships, and jobs.
U.S. spending on pets has quadrupled in the last 25 years; why not encourage people to take advantage of these economic and professional opportunities?
Humane Animal Practices and Bite Prevention Skills
An introduction of the skills and knowledge to be more confident and safer around pets and strays. This class is scaled to work with kids as young as pre-k as well as adults to promote positive human-animal interactions. The material covered is appropriate for each age group, and is fun and engaging, with activities to reinforce the topics covered. Accompanied by a certified therapy dog.
Responsible Pet Care
Participants learn how to be a more responsible dog parent and the care required to ensure a long, healthy, happy relationship with their pet. How often should you go to the veterinarian? What are the best ways to bond? What prevention measures yield the biggest results (vaccinations, microchips, spay/neuter, collars with id's, etc.)? These are just a few of the topics covered in this fun, thought-provoking, engaging class. Accompanied by a certified therapy dog.
Pet Math
Students in grades 4-8 learn safe and responsible pet care through our curriculum-aligned math programs that teach measurement, estimation, subtraction, and geometry (circumference, radius, and diameter). Hands-on, innovative, engaging, and fun.
Figurative Language with Fluffy
For students 5th grade-up. This thoughtful and innovative program teaches such elements as cliches and idioms, and allows students to explore whether those figures of speech are examples of humane or inhumane animal practices. For example, when was the last time you thought about the meaning of such sayings as "beat a dead horse," "kill two birds with one stone," "let the cat out of the bag," "no dog in the fight," etc.? These are just a few of the figures of speech we examine in this thought-provoking, engaging, and creative program.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of job skills training courses/workshops conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Careers in Animal Welfare
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of groups/individuals benefiting from tools/resources/education materials provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Related Program
Responsible Pet Care
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We've been able to achieve this number in 2021 through offering virtual content to our participants (to supplement our in-person offerings) in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Number of new grants received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Careers in Animal Welfare
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Awards from: Bloom MicroGrant Constellation Community Champion Mary Allen Lindsey Branan The Helen Marie Stern Walmart Community Foundation Binky Foundation Georgia's Own Second Life See Beautiful
Average number of dollars per person served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Gender and sexual identity, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Related Program
The One Leash Project
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Gender and sexual identity, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Related Program
Careers in Animal Welfare
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Gender and sexual identity, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of organizational partners
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of programs documented
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of children served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Economically disadvantaged people, Immigrants and migrants
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Hours of volunteer service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of returning volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of trained volunteer dog-and-handler teams
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of site visits by dog-and-handler teams.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Children and youth
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of individuals attending community events or trainings
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants who felt that they have been provided with a range of options for future employment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups, Gender and sexual identity, Social and economic status, Work status and occupations
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of participants reporting greater issue awareness
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of children who have an innate motivation to master and control their environment
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of accolades/recognition received from third-party organizations
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These are based on Google reviews (all 5 star) from our program participants and community partners.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
ARDC's goal is simple: We aim to reduce the number of pets that enter shelters and "become rescues," by offering innovative, curriculum-aligned programs that encourage safe and humane animal practices and responsible pet care. We teach children and families how to have positive experiences with their pets so that fewer pets are surrendered to local shelters. By reducing the inflow of animals into shelters, we seek to help shelters reduce their euthanasia rates.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our innovative humane education programs are designed to align with the curriculum of schools, scout troops, and civic organizations. Our mission is to reach as many individuals as possible (both children and adults) with our innovative community building, pet therapy, and humane education programs that promote positive human-animal interaction and responsible pet care.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
ARDC is fortunate to enjoy a broad base of community support that makes our programming possible. We currently have more than 75 volunteers, 45 certified therapy dog teams, local partners, and national organizations contributing to our initiatives.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
ARDC's innovative humane education. pet therapy, and community building initiatives reach more than 1,000 students a month. Since the beginning of 2018, we've served more than 23,000 individuals (both through in-person and virtual programming), 60% of whom are children, and more than 70% are in under-served communities.
Through our innovative One Leash Project, not only does the community learn safe and humane animal practices, we've also kept more than 6,000 lbs. of old climbing rope material from entering landfills. Many of the leashes are donated to local first responders, whom we train how to secure loose pets in emergencies, so that they can be returned to their families, and kept off the streets and out of shelters (which helps shelters reduce euthanasia rates).
We've been awarded more than 40 grants for our ground-breaking work in our first three years of operation, including grants from:
- The Helen Marie Stern Fund
- Constellations Community Champion Award
- Mary Allen Lindsey Branan Foundation
- Jewish Federation of Atlanta
- The Binky Foundation
- WalMart Community Foundation
- Second Life
- East Atlanta Fund
- Georgia's Own Credit Union
- See Beautiful Giving Initiative
- and numerous others.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe
Board of directorsas of 06/08/2023
Aaron Fisher
Atlanta Rescue Dog Cafe
Term: 2017 -
Kristine Schmit
CDC
Robin Harpak
ideas United
Janine Franco
Village Vets of Decatur
Dwayne Marshall
Community Foundation of Chattanooga
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Not applicable -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/15/2021GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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