Barktown Rescue No Kill Shelter and Adoptions was founded in 2009.  Seeing a need in their community, two volunteers first got their start working with Nelson County Animal Control to send dogs to rescues all over the country. Even with their best efforts, hundreds of adoptable dogs were being euthanized every year in Nelson County. The two realized the most effective way to make a difference in their community was to start their own rescue, and from there Barktown Rescue was founded in August 2009.

Since then, Barktown Rescue No Kill Shelter and Adoptions has grown from two volunteers to a network of more than 80 fosters and volunteers. We marked a special milestone in May 2019 when the 3500th pet was adopted!

All of our dogs are showered with love while they wait for the right adoptive family to come along. Barktown Rescue No Kill Shelter and Adoption receives no city, state, or federal funding. We are responsible for earning or raising 100 percent of our annual operating budget.