Wish Bone Canine Rescue

What Wish Bone Canine Rescue does

Wish Bone Canine Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Normal, Illinois, operating a foster-based canine rescue model in the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area. The organization accepts dogs from regional shelters and owner surrenders into a volunteer foster network, provides veterinary and behavioral rehabilitation, and places animals with screened adopters. As of 2025, intake reached 520 dogs with 461 adoptions completed, representing a 22% year-over-year increase in adoptions and an adoption success rate above 88%.

The organization is staffed by 8 employees supported by an all-volunteer board of directors, reflecting a lean operational structure typical of community-scale rescues. In 2025, it launched a mobile application on iOS and Android to support adopter engagement, foster coordination, and donor outreach. Underlying technology consists of standard nonprofit CRM and web platforms rather than proprietary systems, and there is no disclosed use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, or data-driven matching algorithms.

Revenue is generated through a combination of individual donations, adoption fees, and shop-to-donate affiliate programs, with no institutional grant funding, corporate sponsorship base, or venture capital disclosed. The organization has no parent company, subsidiaries, or affiliated entities, and its single geographic market limits donor diversification. Operational scale has more than doubled since 2022, but financial scale and donor concentration metrics are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Wish Bone Canine Rescue

Legal name

Wish Bone Canine Rescue

Website

https://wishbonecaninerescue.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wish Bone Canine Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 in Normal, Illinois, operating a foster-based canine rescue serving the Bloomington-Normal region, with 461 adoptions completed in 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue Services

NAICS

Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foster & Volunteer Network Programs (BPAGAIAF), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Spay/Neuter & Population Control Programs (BPAGAIAE)

Keywords

• Dog rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Foster care program
• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Canine rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Normal

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations through PayPal, mail, and in-kind contributions of dog supplies and food
2. Adoption Fees: Fees collected from adopters to cover costs of veterinary care, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and other services provided during rescue and rehabilitation
3. Shop to Donate Programs: Percentage of purchases donated to WBCR through Amazon Wish List, Walmart Wish List, Goodshop, iGive, and Bissell's Partners for Pets program when using designated codes

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wish Bone Canine Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit canine rescue organization that rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes dogs through a foster-based care model. Each adopted dog receives comprehensive veterinary care (exam, spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm testing, microchipping, flea/tick prevention) bundled into the adoption fee. The organization also runs a foster program, a volunteer program, an Oops Program for unexpected litters, community pet vaccination clinics, and pet food/supply assistance for low-income residents.

Product overview

Wish Bone Canine Rescue is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) canine rescue organization operating since 2010 in Normal, Illinois. The organization operates a foster-based rescue model where dogs are placed in volunteer foster homes while awaiting adoption. Their core offerings center on dog adoption services with comprehensive veterinary care included in adoption fees, a foster care program providing all supplies at no cost to fosters, diverse volunteer opportunities, and community assistance programs including pet vaccination clinics and food/supply assistance for low-income residents. The organization also provides a mobile app for iOS and Android. The rescue specializes in accepting special medical cases and advocates for a No Kill community philosophy based on Nathan Winograd's No Kill Equation principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dog Adoption Services Dog adoption matching service connecting prospective adopters with rescue dogs through application processing, in-person meetings, and post-adoption support. Every adopted dog receives a physical exam, spay/neuter, vaccinations, heartworm test and preventative, flea/tick preventative, deworming, microchip with lifetime registration, and a collar as part of the adoption fee; specialty care may increase fees for dogs needing additional treatment. Designed for individuals and families seeking a healthy, evaluated rescue dog.
• Foster Program Temporary foster home placement program where volunteer families within 60 minutes of Bloomington/Normal house rescue dogs in a home environment until permanent adoption. WBCR provides all supplies, food, crates, veterinary care, and medications at no cost to foster families. Designed for local households willing to provide short-term care and behavioral evaluation for rescue dogs.
• Volunteer Opportunities Program Volunteer program offering structured roles including adoption application processing, adoption specialist meetings, adoption check-up team, adoption events, office assistance, Petfinder management, grant writing, grooming, vet records, dog walking, community outreach, thank you team, photography/video, and foster team coordination. Designed for community members who want to contribute time to canine rescue operations.
• Oops Program Program accepting unexpected litters of puppies from owners. Provides spay/neuter services for the parent dogs at no charge and works to find homes for the puppies. Designed for pet owners facing unplanned litters who need rescue support and low-cost sterilization.
• Community Pet Vaccination Clinic Annual pet vaccination clinic serving low-income residents to help keep pets in their homes and out of shelters. Designed for low-income pet owners in the Bloomington/Normal service area.
• Pet Food and Supply Assistance Program Program providing food and supplies to pet owners in need, helping keep pets safely in their homes and reducing shelter intake. Designed for low-income pet owners in the Bloomington/Normal service area.
• Wish Bone Canine Rescue Mobile App Native mobile application available for iOS and Android devices enabling users to browse adoptable dogs and engage with the organization. Downloadable from the App Store and Google Play. Designed for prospective adopters and supporters using mobile devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2025: 520 intake, 461 adopted, 4 transferred, 2 died (0.4%), 7 euthanized (1.4%)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Adopt-a-Pet.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPet adoption platform partnership where Wish Bone dogs are listed on Adopt-a-Pet.com, powered by their platform for pet adoption services. This extends the organization's reach to potential adopters searching for pets online.
• Petfinder.comcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDogs are listed on Petfinder.com with volunteer team members entering, removing, and modifying pictures and bios on the platform daily.
• Bissell's Partners for PetsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBISSELL and LostPetUSA.net partnered with Wish Bone to help raise money. Customers purchasing pet products on Bissell.com using code ADOPT can donate a portion of their purchase to the organization.
• GoodshopminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline shopping portal where percentage of purchases from thousands of stores (Target, Apple, Amazon, Petco, etc.) is donated to Wish Bone Canine Rescue.
• iGiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMany online stores participate and Wish Bone benefits from purchases made through the iGive network. Toolbar reminder ensures supporters never lose out on purchase percentages going to WBCR.
• eBay Giving WorksminorGTM or Marketing PartnereBay sellers can donate a portion of sales to Wish Bone Canine Rescue through the eBay Giving Works program.
• PayPalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayPal is utilized for online contributions and donations to Wish Bone Canine Rescue. Online donation links point to PayPal for secure payment processing.
• Maddie's FundminorOthersReference to Maddie's Fund resources in their No Kill philosophy documentation, indicating alignment with their animal sheltering philosophy and resources.
• No Kill Advocacy CenterminorOthersReferenced organization in their No Kill philosophy advocacy, demonstrating alignment with no-kill sheltering movement principles.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights2 records

Broad incumbents

• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization running sanctuary operations, adoption programs, and no-kill advocacy. Shares WBCR's no-kill philosophy and adoption-driven model but at vastly larger national scale.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare non-profit providing rescue, adoption, and advocacy services. Comparable mission (rescue, adoption, spay/neuter, community support) but operates at national scope with broader funding base.
• Humane Society of the United States: Largest national animal protection organization, providing advocacy, direct care, and shelter support. Operates in the same broad space of dog rescue and adoption welfare but as a national advocacy and grant-making entity.

Direct peers

• PAWS Chicago: Regional non-profit no-kill animal rescue in the Chicago area offering dog adoption, foster-based care, and community programs. Most directly comparable midwest no-kill canine rescue operating at a larger scale.
• Heartland Animal Shelter: Regional non-profit no-kill shelter serving the Illinois/Indiana border area, offering dog adoption, foster programs, and community spay/neuter services. Comparable midwest no-kill rescue with similar scope.
• Almost Home Foundation: Illinois-based non-profit dog rescue using a foster-based model with adoption fees that include spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping. Closest peer in mission, geography, and operating model.

Others

• Maddie's Fund: National family foundation advancing no-kill animal sheltering through grants, research, and education. WBCR references Maddie's Fund in its no-kill philosophy documentation and is part of the same advocacy network.
• BISSELL Pet Foundation: National non-profit that supports shelter and rescue partners through grants, adoption events, and the Partners for Pets program (which WBCR is part of). Direct funder/partner of WBCR and other small rescues.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wishbonecaninerescue
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wishbonecaninerescue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Wish Bone Canine Rescue