North Texas Australian Shepherd Rescue

The creation of North Texas Australian Shepherd Rescue (NTASR) (Founded in 2020) is rooted in love, empathy, and a relentless drive to effect change. 

Driven by firsthand experiences rescuing dogs from neglect and exploitation—where dogs lacked socialization, basic care, and were used solely for breeding— NTASR, founder, Samantha, has become a vocal advocate for animal welfare reform. Her mission is to eradicate cruelty, rehabilitate, and ensure every dog finds a loving home.

NTASR has grown into a beacon of hope for countless dogs, transforming lives through rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming efforts. Samantha's heartfelt mission continues to inspire and drive the organization's efforts, ensuring that every dog, no matter their past, can look forward to a brighter future.

 

Who We Are:

NTASR works with a wide range of working, herding, and companion dogs - depending on what they need when they land in our care. Over the years, that's included doodles, "toy" and mini aussies, poodles, corgis, border collies, dachshunds, French bulldogs, Chinese shar-peis, and plenty more "Aussies in disguise". Australian Shepherds are still at the heart of what we do. They're brilliant, intense, sensitive, and often misunderstood. 

We're a team of 14 now, supported by a strong medical and foster network. On average, we intake around 37 dogs a month. Every dog arrives with a different story - some need urgent medical care, others need time to decompress after neglect or instability, most need a little of both.

Our role is simple: stabilize, support, and get them ready for a real forever home.

Nothing happens without community. Fosters, adopters, volunteers, and supporters are the reason any of this is possible - shared work. 

What We Do:

NTASR has a comprehensive foster and adoption process to ensure the best outcomes for our dogs. Every dog is fully vetted before adoption, which includes being spayed or neutered. Prospective adopters must pass a background check, home visit, interview, and landlord check, and provide both veterinary and personal references. This rigorous process ensures each dog goes to the best possible home.

Our Impact: 

We work with trainers and behavior specialists to support dogs with special needs, including feral, unsocialized, bite history or fear-based aggression. Every dog receives full medical care in our program including heartworm testing, vaccinations, microchipping, and deworming. From there, care is individualized and may include surgeries, therapy, heartworm treatment, dental procedures - whatever they need to be safe, healthy, and ready for adoption.

In 2025, NTASR rescued 827 dogs, finding loving homes for 308 and partnering with rescues to give 437 more a second chance. We took in 16 medical cases, 15 heartworm positive, and 21 double merles, many requiring specialized care. Our reach expanded as we partnered with 51 Texas shelters, working together to save as many lives as possible.

With rescue numbers surging 38% from the previous year, our vetting expenses skyrocketed to $121,929, nearly doubling 2023’s total. We treated severe medical cases, performed life-saving surgeries, and saw an unprecedented wave of pregnant dogs—sixteen litters born in 2025 alone. 

Despite the challenges, our impact grew. NTASR was featured on Good Morning Texas and was the featured rescue for Dog Day by The DFW Local Barkday Planner.
2025 North Texas Giving Day raised $11,700—this year, we aim even higher to meet the rising demand.

How to Help:

Foster: If you live within 1.5 hours of the DFW metroplex, you might be a great fit! Fosters are the foundation to our rescue, and rescue would not be possible without our foster heroes. 

Donations: We are always in need of martingale collars, leashes, dog food, treats, enrichment toys, and monetary donations. Without these things rehabilitation would not be possible. Monetary donations supply the necessary transportation, & medical treatment (heartworm treatment, heartworm prevention, medical supplies) for so many of our rescue dogs.  Purchase collars or harnesses here and they will MATCH your purchase! 

We urgently need funds to care for the dogs we rescue. Your support allows us to rescue, rehabilitate, transport, and rehome these deserving animals. Today, we aim to raise $10,000 to help us move closer to our overall goal of $20,000.

2025 Goals:

1. Expand Foster Base by 50%: Increasing our fosters will enable us to save more dogs. 
2. Reduce Time in Rescue to 30 Days: Focused on dog rehabilitation to achieve quicker adoptions.
3. Establish an Advocacy Fund: Advocate for responsible breeding and dog welfare legislation in Texas. 
4. A Big Dream on Wheels 🚐 – Big rescues are becoming our thing, but let’s be real—our President’s trusty Subaru just isn’t cutting it (seriously, only so many wiggle butts can fit!). A transport vehicle would be a game-changer, helping us save and rehome even more Aussies and their friends.