Spencer Group

Thank you for visiting our page and for your support of rescue animals! Spencer Group is a small nonprofit founded in 2017 committed to providing support to rescues and the dogs they work with by offering access to highly qualified training and behavior professionals who work with dogs in rescue and their caretakers. By providing consultations unique to each dog’s situation paired with science-based, compassionate training, our goal is to help these dogs become more adoptable and minimize the risk of being returned by their future adoptive families. 

Did You Know?

• Behavior problems are the most often cited reason for surrendering a pet to a shelter. According to the ASPCA, dogs relinquished for behavior problems are approximately 47% of the shelter and rescue dog population.
• A 2015 study by the ASCPA promotes the need to “explore programs and processes” that “best avert the need for re-homing and increase retention.” 
• Another study presented at the National Council for Pet Population’s 2015 research symposium found that “dogs that attended training were 2.63 time as likely to stay in their adoptive home.”

Mission Statement

Spencer Group is committed to increasing rescue dogs’ adoptability into safe, loving homes, preventing the return of adopted dogs, and improving dogs’ emotional and physical well-being. We do this by partnering with rescue groups and certified trainers to deliver compassionate, science-based dog training and behavior education on a scholarship basis.

Check out Oliver, one of our scholars, in a training session: 

How Your Donations Help

A $100 donation can fund:

• One training session with one of our 13 approved professional trainers or behavior consultants 
• One behavioral evaluation by a qualified veterinarian
• One stipend for an approved local trainer out of our network to work with a dog in a foster home

Since 2020, Spencer Group has assisted dogs at 14 different rescue groups in the Midwest.

Spencer's Story

Spencer was rescued as a terrified stray before his first birthday. Because of his fearful behaviors, Spencer was adopted and returned twice. Tragically, in an attempt to stop his barking, his second adoptive family used a shock collar.

This traumatic experience caused a major setback in Spencer’s progress. He no longer trusted his foster, with whom he had developed a strong bond. Spencer was so fearful as a result of the aversive training that it was uncertain whether he would be adoptable again. 

Luckily, with his foster's time and commitment to continue training him using humane methods, Spencer learned to trust again. His next and final adoptive home committed to giving Spencer a safe home, no matter how difficult his issues were. He has spent the last ten years living a rich, full life with a loving family who describes him as perfect.

While Spencer’s story has a happy ending, many rescue dogs are not so fortunate. Spencer Group was founded to use education and humane training to prevent stories like Spencer’s from happening again.