Our Rescue
Began with
One Dog - Lassie
She was my very first foster. When she was adopted, I felt the same joy every foster does — hope, excitement, a happy ending. But that ending didn’t last. Lassie was returned to the shelter due to behavioral challenges.
And we couldn’t let that be her story. We fostered her back. Bringing Lassie home again changed everything. It forced us to look deeper — not just at her behavior, but at the system. So many dogs are returned not because they aren’t loving, loyal, or deserving… but because adopters don’t receive the tools, structure, and guidance needed to help them adjust and thrive. That’s when we realized there was a gap.
We Don't Just Rescue,
We Prepare.
Our rescue was built around one core belief:
Adoption is only successful when both the dog and the family are set up for success.
We focus heavily on:
-
Behavioral evaluation and transparency
-
Foundational obedience and structure
-
Confidence-building and socialization
-
Honest conversations about each dog’s needs
-
Ongoing post-adoption support
We work to prevent returns — not just react to them.
We Work to
Prevent Returns,
Not Just React
to Them.
Why Training Sets Us Apart
Behavioral challenges are one of the leading reasons dogs are surrendered or returned to shelters. Instead of seeing those challenges as dealbreakers, we see them as opportunities for education and growth.
By prioritizing training and adopter support, we aim to create lasting placements — not temporary ones.
Lassie’s return could have been the end of her journey.
Instead, it became the beginning of ours.
Our Story
Elizabeth and Maria growing up together
Still working side by side — now saving lives together
Elizabeth and Maria grew up together with a shared love for animals.
What started as a childhood friendship grew into a lifelong passion for helping animals in need. Today, that same bond drives their mission to rescue, protect, and advocate for Detroit’s animals.
Maria Slabach
Co-Founder & Deputy Executive Director
Maria’s love for animals began in childhood, growing up with a dog and several cats who shaped her compassion and respect for animal life. Today, she shares her home with two cherished cats and continues her commitment to animal welfare by volunteering at a local shelter. She is especially passionate about feeding and providing safe refuge for homeless cats in her community, believing that even small acts of care can create lasting impact.
Elizabeth Coros
Elizabeth’s compassion for animals extends beyond rescue work. Growing up with two cats and a German Shepherd, she developed a deep love and respect for animals at an early age. She follows a vegetarian lifestyle rooted in her ethical beliefs about animal welfare and regularly volunteers at a local shelter. Whether at home with her two dogs and foster pup or serving her community, her commitment to animal advocacy is woven into every part of her life.
Founder & Executive Director
Meet the Founders
Together, they founded Together We Rescue to give Detroit’s animals the second chances they deserve.
How Our Rescue Works
From rescue to foster care to adoption — this is how we help animals find their forever homes.