Rescue Tails

About Rescue Tails

Behind every rescued dog is a story of survival, hope, and the humans who refused to give up. Rescue Tails is where those stories come to life. Hosted by Dr. Robert Forto, a lifelong dog trainer and media producer, and Robin Lucas, the driving force behind Rebel Rescue South Korea, this podcast shares powerful tales of rescue, resilience, and redemption from around the world. Each episode reveals the realities of rescue work, what it takes to rebuild trust, navigate cultural challenges, and find new beginnings for dogs who once had none. From the streets of South Korea to the snowy trails of Alaska, these are the voices of those on the front lines of compassion. Whether you’re a rescue advocate, a dog lover, or simply someone who believes in second chances, Rescue Tails will inspire you to see what’s possible when dedication meets heart. Because every rescue has a story, and every story deserves to be told. Subscribe or follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Publisher

First Paw Media

Category

business · education · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Oct 2025

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

47 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   The Gumi Rescue: Saving 31 Dogs in South Korea | Rescue Tails

   What does it take to rescue 31 dogs from terrible living conditions, build a shelter almost overnight, and give animals that have experienced years of neglect a chance at a better life? In this episode of Rescue Tails, Dr. Robert Forto and co-host Robin Lucas take listeners behind the scenes of one of Rebel Rescue South Korea's largest rescue operations. Robin shares the story of the 2021 Gumi rescue, an operation that began when another animal rescue organization discovered dogs living in extremely poor conditions and reached out for help. With limited space and a new shelter still under construction, Robin committed to taking 28 dogs. Working with volunteers and other rescuers, Rebel Rescue prepared its facility to receive them. The total grew to 31 after three more Corgis were rescued. Many of the dogs arrived frightened, poorly socialized, and suffering from serious medical conditions, including heartworm and other infections. The work of providing veterinary treatment, daily care, and rehabilitation was only beginning. Years later, most of the dogs have found homes, but six remain at Rebel Rescue. Robin introduces listeners to Sammy, Matilda, Jeremy, Bobby, Wolvie, and Butters, sharing their personalities, challenges, and hopes for adoption. Robert and Robin also discuss the importance of rescue partnerships, the realities of caring for traumatized dogs, and why finding the right home sometimes takes years. In this episode, you'll hear about: How the Gumi rescue operation began in 2021. The partnership between We Act and Rebel Rescue South Korea. Preparing a new shelter to accommodate dozens of dogs. The medical and behavioral challenges neglected rescue dogs face. What happened to the original 31 dogs. The six remaining dogs still searching for permanent homes. Why patience and realistic expectations matter when adopting senior rescue dogs. How something as simple as a dog's name can influence adoption interest. Help these dogs find their forever homes. Follow @rebelrescuesk on Instagram to learn more about the six remaining Gumi rescue dogs and how you can support their journey. Subscribe to Rescue Tails for more stories of animal rescue, rehabilitation, and the people working to give animals a second chance.

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   Why Animal Rescues Are Closing | Rescue Tails Podcast

   Animal rescues rarely close because people stop caring. More often, they close because the financial and emotional costs of saving animals become unsustainable. In this episode of Rescue Tails, hosts Dr. Robert Forto and Robin Lucas examine the growing challenges facing animal rescue organizations in the United States and South Korea. From rising kennel expenses and declining dog adoptions to volunteer burnout and limited foster homes, the conversation shows why even dedicated rescue organizations struggle to keep their doors open. Robert shares shelter statistics and examines how longer stays, especially for adult dogs and animals with behavioral challenges, create financial pressure on already stretched organizations. Robin offers a firsthand perspective from Rebel Rescue South Korea, explaining the difficulty of raising money for everyday expenses, managing a small volunteer team, and making heartbreaking decisions about which animals a rescue can realistically accept. The hosts also discuss the importance of recurring donations, small fundraising campaigns, and responsible rescue management. Most importantly, they explain why expanding foster programs may be one of the most practical ways to reduce overcrowding, improve adoption opportunities, and help rescues continue their work. Whether you're a rescue volunteer, foster family, dog trainer, adopter, or animal lover, this episode offers an important look at what it really takes to keep animal rescue organizations operating. Listen to Rescue Tales and discover how even small contributions can make a meaningful difference for animals waiting for their forever homes. Episode Key Takeaways Why longer shelter stays create financial and operational problems for rescue organizations. How everyday expenses such as food, rent, veterinary care, and utilities threaten rescue sustainability. Why volunteer burnout can force small rescue organizations to close. How recurring donations and small fundraising goals can provide more predictable financial support. Why foster families are essential to helping rescue dogs move toward permanent adoption. This episode was recorded on the Shure SM7B (https://amzn.to/4rxukCP) Support the Show (https://dogworksradio.com/membership) Like this episode? Share it with your dog training friends! Love this episode? Say thanks in true dog training podcasting style by leaving a review. FREE! Grab our 7-Day Real-World Dog Training Plan (https://keap.page/nn975/the-pack-podcast-list1.html) Learn more about Rebel Rescue South Korea (http://rebelrescuesk.com) We work with Dog Training Clients worldwide! Take our Understanding Drive Behaviors (https://keap.page/nn975/join-our-pack.html) quiz to see exactly what drive your dog is in and how to begin to train for it. Join the On-Air Dog Training Coaching waitlist (https://keap.page/nn975/on-air-coaching-waitlist.html) for a chance to be coached on the air by Dr. Robert or Michele Forto and get your dog training questions answered in real time. Sign up now for 20% off our Group Coaching Program (https://keap.page/nn975/the-pack-program-adw-landing.html) and learn how to build the best relationship possible for your dog. Take your dog training to the next level by enrolling in our Peak Performance membership (https://alaskadogworks.com/peak-performance-program/). Follow Dog Works Radio for more dog training tips: Facebook (https://facebook.com/dogworksradio) | Instagram (https://instagram.com/dogworksradio) | LinkedIn (https://linkedin.com/in/robertforto) ©2009-2026 by Dog Works Training Company® All Rights Reserved.

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Behind the Scenes of a Dog Rescue: The Reality of Running a Rescue

   What does it actually take to keep a dog rescue running day after day? In this episode of Rescue Tails, Robert Forto puts co-host Robin Lucas in the hot seat for a behind-the-scenes look at life at Rebel Rescue South Korea. Robin wears many hats, handling everything from adoption and foster applications to finances, animal intake, volunteer coordination, website updates, veterinary needs, and communication with the English-speaking community. She does it while working a full-time night-shift job and navigating the demands of running a rescue in another country. Robert and Robin also discuss one of the more unusual challenges of rescue work in South Korea: operating across languages and cultures. Korean volunteers, American military families, expats, adopters, and fosters may all interact with the same organization, making clear communication and consistent procedures even more important. The conversation turns to volunteer management, leadership, delegation, safety procedures, and why simply expecting everyone to "figure it out" isn't enough. Robin explains the work underway to create more standardized routines so volunteers can spend less time wondering what to do and more time caring for the dogs. Finally, meet Winnie, a young Pomeranian mix rescued from the breeding industry in South Korea. Despite a difficult beginning and problems with her back legs, Winnie is now in foster care and looking for a family willing to give her the commitment she deserves.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Rescue Tails

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.