SC Volunteers Save 30 Dogs Weekly From Overcrowded Shelters

After 18 years running global sports events, Danielle Zuck discovered she was happier cleaning puppy poop at her local animal shelter. That realization changed everything.

Now, Zuck leads Journey Home Rescue Alliance, a volunteer-run organization that drives hundreds of miles weekly to save dogs from South Carolina's overcrowded shelters. Her team rescues an average of 30 dogs every week, giving them a second chance at life.

The alliance acts as "boots-on-the-ground problem solvers" for rural, under-resourced shelters struggling with overcrowding. They work with facilities that want to be no-kill but are forced to euthanize animals due to lack of space, volunteers, or staff.

Every rescued dog gets placed in foster care for up to two weeks while the alliance arranges final transport. During that time, the organization covers all medical costs, supplies, and creates better photos to help dogs find permanent homes.

What makes Journey Home different is their matchmaking system. Every Friday, paid transporters leave South Carolina carrying dogs to rescue partners across the country. They've sent dogs as far west as Oregon and as far north as Maine.

In 2025, the nonprofit saved more than 1,310 dogs across 20 states. They rescue all breeds, ages, sizes, and conditions, with no dog left behind.

The Ripple Effect

The alliance doesn't just save dogs. They support overwhelmed shelter workers facing impossible decisions daily.

"Most of our shelters are led by hardworking, dedicated people," Zuck said. "These workers endure heartbreak, see animal neglect and abuse firsthand, and are faced with making decisions no one should have to make."

By taking dogs from overcrowded facilities, the alliance creates space for shelters to save more animals. Their work eases the emotional burden on frontline workers who pour their hearts into animal welfare every day.

The organization runs entirely on donations, with every dollar going directly toward saving lives. Volunteers handle the driving, fostering, networking, and care that gives each dog a path to a better future.

Dogs like Harlow now have families waiting for them, all because a team of volunteers refuses to give up.