DES MOINES, Iowa — Oh My Dog Rescue is a non-profit animal rescue based out of Urbandale, but serving metro communities and even other states.

The rescue was founded in 2022 by Kara Berhow and Holly Kilstrom after they had both been fostering dogs for the past decade.

The dogs that are rescued come from high-kill shelters, owner surrenders, or other dogs that are found with no owners. From there, they are placed in foster homes and posted on the organization’s website for adoption.

What Kara and Holly thought would be a small operation has boomed in the past three years.

“So this nonprofit was started because we really love dogs and we know that there’s a huge need,” Berhow said. “So as many rescuers that we can get working together, the more dogs can be in homes. So we started this with the idea of maybe helping one or two dogs a year, and we just surpassed 700 dogs being rescued since we started.”

What makes this rescue unique is that every dog that is found or rescued receives a chip that is implanted underneath their skin. If that dog gets lost, runs away, or something else happens, Oh My Dog Rescue has a system for getting them back to their owners.

The organization has raised funds to place scanning stations in communities around the metro. If a dog is found, they are located in a public place where people can take the dog to the station and follow the instructions posted on the board, telling people what to do if the dog has a chip, or not. Scanning stations are currently located in Madrid, Boone, Polk City, Adel, Huxley and Carlisle. Coming soon will be stations in Altoona and Norwalk. Stations are covered by the organization, and there is no cost to the city.

Watch this video to learn more about the process and a demonstration:

Oh My Dog Rescue pays roughly $10,000 each month in vet bills. To help with the costs, they are holding a fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. on October 24th at The Simpson Barn in Johnston. The event will feature bingo, a silent auction, and entertainment.

To learn more about Oh My Dog Rescue or to view their adoptable dogs, click this link.