Two Pups Wellness Fund is introducing its lifesaving “Project Get Out” (PGO) program beyond state lines. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based nonprofit is working with Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) to establish a pilot program for Project Get Out in Southern California, made possible through a grant from the Jason Heigl Foundation. The pilot begins this month to help dogs that have been in RCDAS care for 21 days or longer and transfer them to a dedicated rescue partner.
Two Pups Wellness Fund introduced Project Get Out in Maricopa County in 2023 to directly address overcrowding in shelters and help move long-stay dogs into rescue placements. The PGO program grants financial assistance directly to vetted rescue organizations taking dogs from the shelters to provide needed care and find them a permanent home. Two Pups Wellness Fund currently works with animal rescues throughout Arizona. The expansion into Riverside County marks the first time the proven program will operate outside of the state, bringing the initiative to one of the nation’s largest shelter systems.
“Two Pups Wellness Fund is excited to partner with Riverside County and the Jason Heigl Foundation to expand our already successful Arizona-based program,” said Bip Haley, executive director of Two Pups Wellness Fund. “Working together, we can save even more lives in Riverside County.”
The first dog rescued through the California pilot program is Buckaroo, a one-year-old Doberman Pinscher who spent 34 days at the Western Riverside Animal Shelter before being pulled by the Mary S. Robert Pet Adoption Center. Buckaroo is now safe and beginning his journey toward finding a forever home.
As one of the nation’s highest-intake shelter systems, Riverside County took in more than 29,000 dogs and cats last year in addition to thousands of small animals, livestock and wildlife. The department continues to operate in critical overcrowding for dogs at all four shelter locations, where some kennels house three to four large dogs together.
Through the pilot program, rescue organizations receive support funding when transferring dogs that have been in Riverside County shelter for more than 21 days. The initiative is designed to encourage faster rescue placements, increase lifesaving outcomes, and relieve pressure on overcrowded shelter systems, as well as the animal rescues.
“We understand the huge effort that goes into rescuing a single dog from a shelter, and we are eager to support rescues who step up to save a life through Project Get Out,” said Nancy Heigl from the Jason Heigl Foundation.
Due to the generosity of the Jason Heigl Foundation, Riverside County is able to partner with Two Pups Wellness Fund to launch its first iteration of Project Get Out and begin expanding rescue opportunities for long-stay shelter dogs. The first phase of the pilot program will be available to rescue organizations through an invite-only rollout.
In 2025, Two Pups Wellness Fund was able to work with four Arizona municipal shelters and 52 participating rescues under its Project Get Out program to help save approximately 600 dogs to date. Demand to help more and relieve the overcrowding is strong, but more funding is needed to continue to expand.
Since its founding in 2017, Two Pups Wellness Fund has worked alongside shelters and rescue organizations to fund life-saving medical care, treatment programs and rescue initiatives for overlooked and abandoned animals. To date, the Arizona nonprofit has helped save more than 16,000 animals through its programs and partnerships. Community members interested in supporting Project Get Out and the organization’s dedication to animal welfare can learn more or donate at Twopups.org.
