Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Tompkins
Hi Lindsay, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Rosie Rescue began from a place of love and loss. It all started when we adopted a special needs puppy named Rosie from a local rescue. She was full of life, but after about a month, she became incontinent and seemed to be in pain. A heartbreaking vet visit revealed that she had a developmental birth defect—something was pressing on a nerve in her neck as she grew, causing her pain and incontinence. We had to make the incredibly difficult decision to humanely euthanize her.
Through Rosie, I became close friends with two incredible people who had deep experience in both shelter and rescue work. As I learned more about the overcrowded conditions of shelters in South Carolina and saw how many amazing dogs were being euthanized simply due to space, I knew I had to take action. Starting my own rescue was something I had always dreamed of, but I didn’t think I could do it alone. With the support of these friends, Rosie Rescue was born.
Today, our mission is to give at-risk dogs a second chance by pulling them from euthanasia lists, placing them in loving foster homes, and finding them forever families. Rosie’s legacy lives on through every life we save.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not—rescue life is never smooth! But every challenge comes with a lesson, and every hardship is balanced by incredible moments of joy.
One of the biggest struggles we face is the uncertainty of shelter environments. When we choose a dog to rescue, we usually have some basic information, but the reality is that you never truly know a dog until they’re out of the shelter. Shelters are chaotic, stressful places, and many dogs don’t show their true personalities there. Sometimes, when we bring a dog into our rescue, they have unexpected medical or behavioral issues that weren’t apparent before. That’s never the shelter’s fault—it’s just the reality of a high-stress environment—but it can be challenging when a dog needs more care or rehabilitation than we originally anticipated.
Another heartbreaking reality is that we can’t save them all. Choosing which dogs to pull from shelters means knowing that others will be left behind, and that weight is something every rescuer carries. It never gets easier.
But through all the hard moments, there are beautiful ones, too—the first time a scared dog wags their tail, the moment a once-neglected pup learns to trust, and, of course, the incredible feeling of watching a long-term rescue dog finally go home. Those are the moments that keep us going. They remind us why we do this work and give us hope even in the toughest times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Rosie Rescue, our mission is to give at-risk dogs a second chance at life. We focus on pulling dogs from euthanasia lists—primarily from underfunded, rural shelters that have little to no resources. These shelters are often overcrowded, with dogs facing euthanasia simply due to lack of space. As a foster-based rescue, we don’t have a physical shelter, which means every dog we save goes straight into a loving foster home. This allows them to decompress, heal, and truly be seen for who they are before finding their forever family.
One thing that sets us apart is our commitment to the “underdogs”—dogs that might be overlooked due to medical needs, behavioral challenges, or simply bad luck. We don’t shy away from putting in the time, effort, and resources needed to help a dog succeed. Whether it’s medical care, training, or rehabilitation, we are dedicated to giving every dog the best possible start to their new life.
We are most proud of the transformations we witness—seeing a neglected or fearful dog blossom into a happy, confident pet, ready to be part of a family. There’s nothing more rewarding than getting updates from adopters, knowing that a dog who once had no future is now deeply loved.
What truly makes Rosie Rescue special is our community—our fosters, volunteers, donors, and adopters all play a huge role in making these rescues possible. It’s not just about saving dogs; it’s about building a network of people who believe in the power of second chances.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If there’s one thing we’d love for readers to take away, it’s this: Rescue is a team effort, and every person can make a difference. Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, or even just share a post on social media, you are helping save lives.
The reality is that thousands of amazing dogs sit in shelters, waiting for a chance—many of them at risk of euthanasia simply due to lack of space. By choosing adoption, you’re not just getting a pet—you’re saving a life.
If fostering has ever crossed your mind, we encourage you to give it a try! It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do, and we provide all the support you need. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be willing to open your heart and home to a dog in need.
We’d also like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supports Rosie Rescue. Whether you’re a foster, adopter, donor, or cheerleader from afar—you are part of this mission, and we couldn’t do it without you.
If you’d like to learn more about how to help or see the dogs looking for homes, visit www.rosierescue.org or follow us on social media!
Pricing:
- Adult Dog Adoptions $250
- Puppies 6 months and younger $350
- All dog’s that I am sending pictures of are available for adoption!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rosierescue.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/rosierescuesc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RosieRescue
