Rescue Tails
About
Behind every rescued dog is a story of survival, hope, and the humans who refused to give up. Rescue Tails is where those stories come to life. Hosted by Dr. Robert Forto, a lifelong dog trainer and media producer, and Robin Lucas, the driving force behind Rebel Rescue South Korea, this podcast shares powerful tales of rescue, resilience, and redemption from around the world. Each episode reveals the realities of rescue work, what it takes to rebuild trust, navigate cultural challenges, and find new beginnings for dogs who once had none. From the streets of South Korea to the snowy trails of Alaska, these are the voices of those on the front lines of compassion. Whether you’re a rescue advocate, a dog lover, or simply someone who believes in second chances, Rescue Tails will inspire you to see what’s possible when dedication meets heart. Because every rescue has a story, and every story deserves to be told. Subscribe or follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
- Rescue Burnout Is Real: The Emotional Cost of Saving Dogs | Rescue Tails Podcast
Dr. Robert Forto and Robin Lucas of Rebel Rescue South Korea discuss rescue burnout, compassion fatigue, volunteer stress, limited resources, and the mental toll of helping animals every day. They share stories and discuss how online criti…
- Why Senior Dogs, Black Dogs, and “Imperfect” Dogs Wait the Longest | Rescue Tails Podcast
This episode of Rescue Tails with Dr. Robert Forto and Robin Lucas of Rebel Rescue South Korea discusses why some rescue dogs, including senior dogs, black dogs, and "imperfect" dogs, wait longer for adoption. They explore the biases that…
- Why Rescue Dogs Test You (And How to Succeed Anyway)
Robert Forto and Robin Lucas of Rescue Tails discuss why rescue dogs test adopters and how to succeed. They cover the importance of patience, differences in dog behavior between shelters and homes, and the role of routines. The episode als…
- How to Build Confidence in a Rescue Dog (Simple Training That Works)
This episode of Rescue Tails features Dr. Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discussing how to build confidence in rescue dogs. They explore what confidence in dogs looks like, contrasting it with submissive behavior, and provide practical strat…
- Rescue Dog Body Language: What Your Dog Is Trying to Tell You
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses understanding dog body language, focusing on how rescue dogs communicate stress, fear, and trust. It covers subtle cues, cultural differences, rescue backgrounds, and inconsistent handling that shape…
- Building Trust With Your Rescue Dog: From Chaos to Confidence
Robert Forto and Robin from Rebel Rescue South Korea discuss how to build trust with rescue dogs. They explore the importance of routine, training, and consistency in transforming canine chaos into confidence, addressing issues like fear,…
- The Honeymoon Phase With Rescue Dogs: Why Behavior Changes After Adoption
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses why newly adopted rescue dogs may exhibit new behaviors like separation anxiety and chewing after an initial "honeymoon phase." Robert Forto and Robin from Rebel Rescue South Korea explain how routine…
- Rescue Culture Clash: How Korean and American Volunteers See Dogs Differently
This episode of Rescue Tails explores the cultural differences in dog rescue between South Korea and the United States. Robert and Robin discuss how these cultural variations impact volunteers, foster homes, and adoption outcomes.
- Dog Culture Clash: Big Dogs, Insurance Laws, and Life as a Rescue Dog in South Korea
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses the differences between American and South Korean dog culture, especially concerning large breeds and "vicious dogs." It covers topics like mandatory liability insurance, leash restrictions, and the e…
- How to Rescue and Transport a Dog from South Korea to the U.S.
This episode of Rescue Tails details the process of rescuing and transporting a dog named Scooby from South Korea to the U.S. for intensive behavioral training. It covers the logistics of international dog transport, CDC import requirement…
- Building Buy-In with Volunteers and Staff in Dog Rescue Organizations
Robert and Robin discuss the challenges of building buy-in with volunteers and staff in dog rescue organizations. They explore topics such as leadership, trust, communication, and culture to encourage consistent adherence to systems and pr…
- Using Rescue Intake Data to Build Real Training Plans and Better Outcomes
This episode of Rescue Tails, with Robert and Robin, explains how rescue organizations can use intake data to build effective training plans. They discuss converting behavior observations into training goals, foster adoption matching, stre…
- Rescue Intake from a Training Perspective: How to Evaluate Behavior Without Failing Dogs
Robert and Robin discuss dog rescue intake from a training and behavior perspective. They explain how to observe behavior in rescue dogs without premature judgment, covering low-stress handling and decompression. The episode aims to help i…
- After Intake: How Rescues Decide a Dog’s Path Forward
This episode of Rescue Tails explains how dog rescues use intake data to determine placement, medical care, foster needs, and adoption readiness. Robert Forto and Robin Lucas detail the process, including how dogs are assigned to tracks an…
- Inside Dog Rescue Intake: Health, Safety, and Decision Making
This episode of Rescue Tails with Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discusses dog rescue intake procedures, covering health, safety, and decision-making. Topics include urgency assessment, legal status, medical screening, quarantine, and early…
- Volunteering With a Dog Rescue: What It Really Takes to Make a Difference
In this episode, Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discuss the realities of volunteering with a dog rescue. They cover daily operations, long-term commitment, emotional challenges, and the skills rescues need, as well as common misconceptions a…
- The 24-Hour Rescue Fail: Why Some Dog Adoptions Fall Apart Fast
This episode of Rescue Tails addresses the issue of dogs being returned shortly after adoption, known as the "24-hour rescue fail." Robert Forto and Robin Lucas explain common misunderstandings, the impact of unrealistic expectations, and…
- Rescuing Dogs From a Puppy Mill in South Korea
This episode of Rescue Tails features Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discussing a puppy mill rescue in South Korea. They cover the operations of illegal breeding facilities and the step-by-step rescue process, including challenges and decisi…
- Dog Culture in South Korea: What’s Changing, What’s Not, and Why Rescue Matters
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses dog culture in South Korea, covering changes in ownership, training challenges, and the impact of the dog meat ban. It also addresses reasons why dogs are surrendered and highlights a dog available fo…
- Fundraising That Actually Works: How Rescues Survive the Hard Seasons
Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discuss fundraising for animal rescues. They cover strategies used by Rebel Rescue South Korea and challenges faced by overseas rescues. They also feature Wilbur, a 4-year-old Boxer mix awaiting adoption.
- From Rescue to Routine: How Training Builds Lasting Bonds
Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discuss the importance of training after rescue. They introduce The Pack Program and talk about its value for rescue organizations like Rebel Rescue South Korea.
- Why Every Rescue Needs More Fosters: A Conversation With Dr. Lisa DeVore
Dr. Lisa DeVore joins the podcast to discuss her experiences fostering dogs for Rebel Rescue. She shares insights on the emotional aspects of fostering, preparing dogs for success, and the importance of foster homes for rescue organization…
- Top 5 Mistakes New Rescue Dog Owners Make (and How to Fix Them)
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses the top 5 mistakes new rescue dog owners make and how to avoid them. Topics include the first 72 hours of decompression, setting a routine, preventing overstimulation, bonding, and celebrating small w…
- What Makes a Successful Rescue Adoption (and Why Some Fail)
In this episode, hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas discuss factors contributing to successful rescue adoptions and reasons why some may not work out. They cover post-adoption processes, cultural differences in adoption between Korea and A…
- PCS with Pets: The Hidden Struggles of Military Families and Their Dogs
This episode of Rescue Tails discusses the challenges military families face when relocating their pets during a permanent change of station (PCS). It covers the logistics, financial aspects, and emotional toll of these moves, and shares t…
- Adopting from South Korea: Inside the Rebel Rescue Process
This episode of Rescue Tails explains the process of international dog adoption, specifically through Rebel Rescue South Korea. Hosts Robert Forto and Robin Lucas detail the step-by-step adoption process and the logistics of adopting dogs…
- The Story of Rebel Rescue and Its Mission
This episode of Rescue Tails features Rebel Rescue South Korea, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving dogs and cats. It covers their mission, partnership with the U.S. military, and animal welfare changes in South Korea.