About Us

Northeast Ohio Collie Rescue was founded in 1995 by a group of individuals dedicated to the welfare and rescue of Collies in northeast Ohio. Many of our members also belong to local Collie clubs, obedience groups or are affiliated with other rescue organizations and local animal shelters.

  • Northeast Ohio Collie Rescue is a Rescue Network Affiliate to the national Collie Rescue Foundation, Inc.

  • Northeast Ohio Collie Rescue is a GuideStar endorsed nonprofit organization.

What We Do

The mission of our rescue group is to… 

  • Create an alternative for Collies who have been abandoned, abused or relinquished by their owners

  • Provide medical care, rehabilitation, and locating forever homes for our dogs

  • Lend assistance to families experiencing difficulties with their Collie in an effort to prevent the need for rescue or re-homing

  • Educate prospective owners about the care and needs of our dogs, whether they are companions, working partners or assistants in our daily lives

Why We Do It

Dogs become a part of the family and, in many cases, are willing to sacrifice their safety for ours. There is an implied understanding between dog and owner, a mutual trust. When this trust is broken it is the dog that suffers. It is both the desire and the goal of Northeast Ohio Collie Rescue to restore the dog’s confidence and trust and its role as a valuable member of the family. It is our firm belief that our obligation to a dog is one of a lifetime, and not one of convenience. 

NorthEast Ohio Collie Rescue FAQ

  • Our rescued collies and collie mixes come from many different places. We work closely with a variety of shelters and humane societies as well as directly with individuals who may need to find another home for their pet due to:

    • Lack of time

    • Moving

    • Allergies

    • Divorce

    • Job loss

    • Death

    Regardless of the reason a dog comes into NEOCR, our goal is to find it the best possible permanent home.

  • Upon placement, we ask for an adoption fee of $475 for collie puppies, $425 for adult collies and collie mixes, and $350 for senior collies (8 years and over). Many of the dogs that come into rescue require medical attention or grooming. The adoption fee helps defray those costs, some of which can be substantial. Our goal is to make sure that the rescues we work with are as healthy as possible before making them available for adoption.

  • We cannot give refunds of the adoption fee after 30 days. If the collie is returned (without a replacement) after 30 days, you may consider the adoption fee as a charitable donation, for which we will provide you with an acknowledgement that can be used for tax purposes.

  • If a problem arises after the adoption and you can no longer keep the collie for any reason, you can return the collie to us. If it is a compatibility issue between the particular collie and your family, we may offer to allow you to try another collie that might be more suitable. NEOCR will always take back any collie that we have placed as our primary concern is for the well-being of the collies that we place.

  • A home visit is a low-key opportunity for us to get to know you and your family better to ensure that any collie we place with you will be the best fit possible. The NEOCR volunteer who visits with you will ask you questions about previous pets, what kind of dog personality you’re looking for, how the dog will be expected to interact with you and your family, where the dog will spend its time, and what type of outdoor space you have. Not having a fenced-in yard will not disqualify you from adopting a collie; however, we reserve the right to determine which of our rescues who are especially energetic or young may be placed only in a home that does have a fenced-in yard. A home visit is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about NEOCR, the specifics of how rescue works, and of course about the collie breed!

  • Conducting a vet check involves making a phone call to the vet contact you provide on your application form to ensure that any previous animals under your care received appropriate medical attention.

  • There’s no way to predict how quickly we may have a dog that meets the description of what you’re seeking. We will be happy to retain your paperwork and you are, of course, welcome to follow-up with us periodically (as well as to check the NEOCR website) so that we can match you with a new “furever” friend. For individuals seeking a puppy the wait can be long as these dogs are in great demand. Individuals and families interested in adopting an older dog may be matched more quickly.

    Please understand we are an all-volunteer organization and have many families waiting to bring a collie into their homes. Most of our volunteers have full time jobs, children, pets and families of their own. All applicants are added to our wait list and will be contacted when we have a dog that matches the application.

  • We are always looking for new foster homes (because sometimes our foster homes turn into permanent placements)! As a foster home you would give the same love and care to your collie. You would be expected to pay for food, treats, and grooming; NEOCR would cover medical care.