One Match at a Time: Helping Dogs Find Their People

At Saving Grace, rescue does not end when a dog arrives at the farm. It reaches its turning point when a dog meets the person who will love them for life. That moment is where Lee Collins’ work comes into focus. As Adoptions Team Lead, he helps adoption volunteers guide dogs and potential adopters toward each other to make the most successful matches. As a Saving Grace Supply Co. Team Member, he often sees new adopters and their excited new companions right after adoption, and works to ensure they have the knowledge and the tools they need to succeed. His work is rescue in action, where preparation, commitment, and teamwork come together to give every dog the best possible start in a new home.

What does a typical day look like for you at Saving Grace — and what moments remind you why this work matters?

No two days at Saving Grace are ever the same—and that’s one of the greatest joys of being here. Every day brings new dogs, new families, and new stories, but our mission never changes: rescue, rehabilitate, and help dogs find their forever homes. As an Adoption Lead, I support the team, organize our pups, guide adopters, and help make those perfect matches. The moment a dog walks out the door with their new family—that spark of hope and happiness—is the reminder of exactly why this work matters.

The need for rescue never stops. How do you and the team handle the urgency and unpredictability of the work?

Rescue often feels like moving a mountain one small stone at a time—but every one of those “stones” is a life with endless love to give. The work can be urgent and unpredictable, but we stay grounded by focusing on the one dog, the one family, the one life right in front of us. Taking each day one step at a time reminds us that even the smallest action creates a ripple of impact.

Is there a particular dog or moment that’s stayed with you—one that captures what “rescue is a team effort” really means?

There are so many, but I’ve always had a soft spot for our amputation pups. They often arrive with the toughest injuries, needing intensive medical care, long recovery time, and a dedicated foster to help them heal. By the time they’re ready for adoption, they don’t see themselves as limited at all—they run, play, and love just the same. Their resilience is unbelievable. There isn’t a thing in the world a three-legged dog won’t do… except dig—they’re terrible at digging.

Seeing every team—medical, foster, volunteers, adoption—rally around these dogs shows just how powerful rescue is when we do it together.

How do you see the partnership between staff, volunteers, fosters, and donors helping dogs heal and find their forever homes?

Every role is essential – rescue truly works like one interconnected heartbeat. Staff, volunteers, fosters, and donors each bring something unique and irreplaceable. When one group acts, the others amplify it. We all share the same goal: giving deserving dogs their chance at a forever home. And when we’re all working together, it feels like one big family making something extraordinary happen.
What would you say to someone who wants to get involved—whether through adopting, volunteering, fostering, or donating?

It truly takes a village. There are countless ways to make a difference—adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating, or even writing thank-you notes or helping with transport. No matter your skill, time, or comfort level, there’s a place for you in this mission. Every role matters, and every contribution helps save a life.

Rescue work is not easy. What do you find rewarding and what is most challenging about working in the non-profit animal welfare sector?

The hardest part is accepting that we can’t save them all—no matter how much heart, time, or determination we pour into the work. Some days the mountain feels too tall. But the rewarding part is knowing that what we can do makes a tremendous difference. Every dog we save, every family we match, every life we change—that’s the impact that keeps us going.

Rescue in Action

Lee’s work reminds us that rescue does not end with medical care or foster healing. It reaches its full purpose when a dog finds the right home. Through patience, insight, and deep respect for both dogs and adopters, Lee helps turn recovery into belonging.

Saving Grace can say yes to dogs with complex needs because there is a team ready to carry them all the way forward. Adoption is where that journey comes together – and where rescue becomes a forever story.

Be part of rescue in action. Adopt. Foster. Volunteer. Give.