Out Of The Woods was established in early 2007 by experienced rescuer Kathy Woods along with Shawn Schouweiler and fellow friends in rescue who wanted to fill a need for a different kind of rescue; a need in where they believe that all domesticated animals regardless of their size, breed, color or situation deserve to have a loving home.

We rescue our pets primarily from the rural areas of Arkansas, some are abandoned and/or abused. We rescue from animal "hoarders" or collectors who take in more than they can possibly care for, sometimes in the hundreds.

We promote efforts to spay and neuter all pets; one of the ways we do this is by assisting in finding low cost sterilization to families in rural areas with limited incomes. We must stop the needless breeding that occurs when families cannot afford to properly care for their pets. 

We also focus on helping independent rescuers who take in and then care for "stray" pets until an adoptive home is found.

OOTW is a private, not-for-profit, 501(c) (3) organization.

We receive no funding from the federal, state, or county governments, nor from any corporate entity, not even the American SPCA or the United States Humane Society. We operate solely on private donations and volunteer efforts. OOTW is a ‘virtual’ animal rescue, meaning we do not have a brick and mortar pet shelter. Instead, we are a network of volunteers, who allow our rescued dogs and cats to live with us in foster care until they are adopted. Operating a virtual shelter allows us to put all of our adoption fees and received donations toward the care of the dogs and cats we rescue. 

Many of the dogs and cats we have rescued have suffered at the hands of humans.  We do all we can to turn their lives around and give them the love and care that they deserve. We believe it is up to all of us as "humans" to end homelessness for animals and assure that they find a "forever" loving home of their own!