About Us

Three Stooges Rescue Inc. exists to help dogs move from uncertainty to safety through two core programs:

1. Closer to Furever Foster Program - Foster homes are the heartbeat of our rescue. We place dogs in safe, supportive homes where they can decompress, heal, learn routines, and show their true personalities. Fostering creates the stability dogs need and helps us make better matches for long-term success.
2. Paws Make a House a Home Adoption Program - Adoption is where everything comes together. Through thoughtful screening, honest communication, and ongoing support, we help dogs and families find the right fit—so “forever” really means forever.

Three Stooges Rescue began the way many real missions do—by simply stepping in to help.

Before founding the rescue, Natasha Backovich spent time volunteering with another organization. Through that experience, she saw both the incredible need for rescue work and the importance of doing it the right way. It became clear that dogs deserved more than good intentions—they deserved advocacy rooted in compassion, transparency, and integrity.

At the same time, Natasha was raising three young children, caring for dogs of her own, and navigating a full and often challenging season of life. Even with everything on her plate, the desire to do more for animals in need never went away. What started as heartbreak for the dogs being overlooked became a calling to build something better—something she could stand behind with her whole heart.

That calling became Three Stooges Rescue.

Founded on the belief that every dog deserves safety, stability, and the chance to be loved, Three Stooges Rescue is committed to helping dogs with compassion and purpose. We believe rescue should be responsible, honest, and centered on what is best for the animals, even when the work is hard.

Our name carries meaning, too. Natasha grew up watching The Three Stooges and always loved the humor, heart, and especially Curly’s soft spot for dogs. The name felt even more fitting because she is also raising three goofy, two-legged kiddos of her own, who keep life loud, busy, and full of love.

Today, Three Stooges Rescue reflects everything it was built on: heart, resilience, ethics, and the belief that every dog deserves a real chance at a better life.

 We serve dogs and families on Florida’s Treasure Coast—primarily Port St. Lucie and surrounding communities.

You may notice we don’t typically pull dogs from out of state. That’s intentional. Our resources—foster homes, veterinary partners, time, and funding—are limited, and our local shelters and community dogs need help every single day. Staying local allows us to:

• respond quickly when dogs are at risk nearby
• build strong relationships with local vets, fosters, and adopters
• follow up and support placements long-term
• remain accountable and transparent in every case we take
   

We believe responsible rescue means not overextending, not making promises we can’t keep, and never taking on more than we can ethically support.

 Three Stooges Rescue Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations help fund medical care, supplies, training support, and rescue operations—and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. 

 Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate—you become part of a network that helps dogs feel safe again, learn trust again, and finally land where they belong.

Closer to Furever starts with people like you.