OUR FAQ
There's a lot of info to learn when adopting or fostering from Speak!. Learn more below!
Speak! for the Unspoken is a foster-based, volunteer-powered rescue based in Grove City, OH. Our mission is saving dogs with special needs and giving them their best lives.
We believe every animal deserves love, no matter their challenges—and we work hard to give each one a second chance at life, health, and happiness. We’ve grown to have a 2nd foster hub in Kalamazoo, MI and have fosters located across 4 additional midwest states.
Not exclusively. While our focus is on helping dogs with special needs, especially those overlooked by other shelters and rescues, we also help at-risk pets we simply can’t turn away.
In fact, our 2024 Impact Report shows that nearly 40% of our dogs don't have special needs, but did come from special circumstances such as an owner’s passing, unsafe living conditions, or accidental litters.
Great question! In 2013, Speak! was actually founded to save double merle Aussie pups in Columbus shelters and puppy mills.
A double merle dog is the result of two merle-patterned dogs being bred together. While merle is a beautiful coat pattern, breeding two merles together gives the puppies a 25% chance of being born blind, deaf, or both. Sadly, many of these dogs are discarded by breeders—but at Speak!, we see their worth!
The dogs we rescue may be:
Deaf, blind or some level of impairment
Orthopedic issues
Dental issues
Heartworm positive
Megaesophagus
Parvovirus or other treatable illness
Living with neurological issues or orthopedic challenges & more
Every dog is unique, and many go on to live full, happy lives with the right care and support. Want to see the full impact? Check out our 2024 Impact Report to learn more about the dogs with disabilities we’ve saved.
Absolutely—thank you! You can donate:
Online through our secure donation form here
By mail:
PO Box 534 Grove City, OH 43123.
Please make checks payable to Speak! for the Unspoken.
We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-deductible. Your support helps us say “yes” to more dogs in need.
We know life happens, and surrendering a dog is never an easy decision. While we do our best to help, we have limited foster space and focus on dogs that fit our rescue program. If you’d like to request assistance, please click here for more information.
Please note, submitting a surrender form does not guarantee placement.