October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and this year we're celebrating close to home. BetterBone is proud to partner with Every Last One Rescue (ELO), a New York City rescue dedicated to the dogs too often overlooked in our city's shelters. Together, we want to help more NYC shelter dogs get seen, get comfortable and get adopted.
If you've been thinking about adopting a shelter dog in NYC, fostering for the first time or simply finding a way to give back, read on. There are amazing dogs waiting right here in our own city.
Meet Every Last One Rescue
Every Last One Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates New York City dogs in need, places them in loving foster homes and helps them find forever families. Founded by Mandy Laneve Ficara and launched in March 2024, ELO focuses exclusively on dogs from the Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), the city's only open-intake shelter.
That focus matters. ELO prioritizes long-stay dogs and dogs on the shelter's at-risk list, the ones facing euthanasia in an overcrowded system. Its motto says it all: underdogs, misfits, overlooked dogs big and small. All of 'em. EVERY. LAST. ONE.
"As a New Yorker, it's incredibly important to me that we show up for the dogs in our own backyard, the dogs sitting in NYC shelters, the dogs who are overlooked, and the dogs who simply need someone to say, 'Yes' when no one else does." — Mandy Ficara, Founder & President, Every Last One Rescue
How Every Last One Rescue helps NYC shelter dogs
● Shelter pulls: ELO rescues dogs, including long-stay and at-risk dogs, directly from NYC ACC, giving them a second chance outside the shelter.
● Foster-based care: Every rescued dog lives in a volunteer foster home while waiting for adoption, where they can decompress, build trust and show their true personalities.
● Thoughtful matchmaking: ELO's adoption team guides adopters through every step, looks for genuine connections between people and pups, and offers post-adoption support and resources.
● Free training session: Every ELO adoption includes a complimentary session with the rescue's preferred trainer, setting new families up for success.
● Borough Breaks: Outings that give shelter pups a much-needed change of scenery, a break from the kennel and a chance to be seen by potential adopters.
● Neighborhood adoption events: ELO brings adoptable dogs to community events across New York City, including regular pop-ups at Petco Union Square.
"There are countless dogs in need everywhere, but our mission is deeply rooted in our local community. These are our city's dogs, and they deserve our attention, our resources, and our commitment. Supporting local dogs also means supporting the people who care for them, our fosters, volunteers, adopters, and neighbors." — Mandy Ficara
Why BetterBone is partnering with ELO
BetterBone was born in New York City, and our mission has always been about providing better for the dogs we call family. Supporting the shelter dogs in our own community is a natural extension of that mission.
This Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, our partnership with Every Last One Rescue includes three commitments:
- Donating BetterBones to ELO dogs. Our natural, nylon-free chews give rescue pups a safe outlet for comfort and enrichment as they decompress and adjust to foster life. Chewing is one of the ways dogs relieve stress, and a good chew can make a strange new place feel a little more like home.
- Joining Borough Breaks with our team, so ELO pups get time out of the kennel and a fresh change of scenery.
- Sharing their stories across our social channels so more adoptable dogs get seen by the right people.
"BetterBone's mission has always been about providing better for the dogs we call family. But there are so many incredible dogs still waiting for someone to call them family, too. As a New York City-based company, supporting dogs right here in our own community feels especially close to home.
This Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we're proud to partner with Every Last One Rescue by donating BetterBones to bring comfort and enrichment to dogs as they decompress and adjust, participating in Borough Breaks to give pups a much-needed change of scenery, and using our platform to share their stories and help more adoptable dogs be seen.
Every Last One Rescue has an incredible commitment to the dogs who are too often overlooked or forgotten. We believe every dog deserves to feel safe, loved and wanted, and that somewhere out there, there's a person looking for a dog just like them. If our products, our time and our voice can help bring even a few of those dogs and families together, that means everything to us." — Chisholm Weaver, Co-Founder & CEO, BetterBone
Why adopting locally matters
NYC's shelter system is under real pressure. ACC is an open-admission shelter that never turns an animal away, and it cares for more than 20,000 animals a year, roughly 50 to 60 new arrivals every day. Rescues like ELO create space, give dogs a calmer place to land and connect them with New Yorkers who might never walk into a shelter.
"Rescuing dogs from our local shelter system is incredibly important work. These are dogs who are already part of our community. We believe there is tremendous value in looking around us and asking, 'What can we do for the dogs right here?'" — Mandy Ficara
How you can help NYC shelter dogs this October
You don't have to adopt to make a difference. Here's how to show up for ELO dogs this Adopt a Shelter Dog Month:
● Adopt: Browse adoptable dogs at everylastonerescue.org or on ELO's Petfinder page. Every adoption frees up a foster home for another dog in need.
● Foster: ELO is foster-based, so every foster home directly equals another dog saved from the shelter.
● Volunteer: Help with events, transport, operations, and more.
● Donate: Give directly through ELO's website, or send supplies from the rescue's Chewy wish list.
● Meet the dogs in person: Look for ELO at neighborhood adoption events around the city.
● Share: Follow Every Last One Rescue and BetterBone on social media and share adoptable dogs' stories. One share can reach the right person.
"Our mission is not only to rescue these dogs, but to bring more awareness to them and to the NYC shelter system they come from. We want people to know that there are amazing dogs waiting in our own city who need fosters, adopters, advocates, and people willing to simply show up for them!" — Mandy Ficara
Say "yes" to a shelter dog
Somewhere in New York City, there's a dog waiting for someone just like you. This October, we hope you'll help us show up for them. Visit Every Last One Rescue to adopt, foster, volunteer or donate, and follow along as we share the stories of the pups we meet this month.
Welcoming a rescue dog home? Find the right BetterBone for your new family member's chewing style.
FAQ
When is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? Adopt a Shelter Dog Month takes place every October. It's a time to spotlight the millions of dogs waiting in shelters and encourage people to adopt, foster or support local rescues.
What is Every Last One Rescue? Every Last One Rescue is a foster-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in New York City. It rescues long-stay and at-risk dogs from the Animal Care Centers of NYC and places them in foster homes until they're adopted.
How do I adopt a shelter dog in NYC? You can apply to adopt an Every Last One Rescue dog through everylastonerescue.org. ELO's adoption team helps match you with the right dog and includes a free training session with every adoption.
How can I foster a dog in NYC? Apply to foster through Every Last One Rescue's website. Because ELO is foster-based, every new foster home lets the rescue save another dog from the shelter.
How is BetterBone supporting Every Last One Rescue? BetterBone is donating natural chews to ELO dogs for comfort and enrichment, joining Borough Breaks to give shelter pups a change of scenery, and sharing adoptable dogs' stories across its channels.
Why are chews helpful for newly rescued dogs? Chewing is a natural way for dogs to relieve stress and settle in. A safe, durable chew gives a rescue dog a comforting outlet while they decompress in a new home.
