See PetFinder.com & Adopt A Pet for shelter dogs. Petfinder & Adopt A Pet do some screening for fraudulent “rescues", known as "Rescue Brokers". If a rescue only has pure breed/hybrid small dogs & puppies, you have likely found a Rescue Broker.
Ohio has many "Rescue Brokers". They buy from breeders/dog auctions to resell for a high "adoption" fee. Compare adoption fees, are the dogs/pups spayed/neutered before adoption, ask if they came from a breeder and if they gave the breeder money for the dog. Puppy mills will continue to thrive as long as anyone is buying from them.
Reputable rescues do not pay breeders for dogs to rehome as rescued dogs/pups. Reputable rescues have a 100% spay/neuter before adoption policy.
