Our Mission & Goals

Each year in this country millions of companion animals end up in shelters through no fault of their own. In many instances, they are held for three days or less before their lives are ended.

CANINE GUARDIANS FOR LIFE believes in the relocation of dogs from those areas of abundance to areas of need. To that end, we rescue dogs from high-kill shelters in other states and relocate them to new homes, primarily in New Hampshire. We are dedicated to saving and re-homing highly adoptable shelter dogs to caring, permanent homes ~ to provide each of them with a devoted Guardian who will guarantee their canine companion a safe and loving environment for the rest of his/her life.

Every dog that is adopted from CANINE GUARDIANS FOR LIFE has already been altered, is current on all vaccinations, has tested heartworm negative, and is on heartworm and flea/tick preventative.

MERV was my first rescue…and my first rescue loss. I saved him, I fostered him, I loved him and he loved me. Though I still mourn him, I am grateful for all that he taught me and for the smiles his little face STILL brings each day. His photo sits next to my computer and guides me through each of my rescue endeavors. He is my mascot and my inspiration…my first “Heartdog.”

I no longer use language that accepts the current concept of animals as property, commodities and/or things. Rather than referring to myself or others as “owners” of animals we share our lives with, I now refer to myself and others as “guardians” of our animal friends and to animals as “he” or “she” rather than “it.” Guardians do not buy or sell animals; instead, they rescue and adopt. I urge you to do the same.

Judith Apy, President
Canine Guardians For Life, Inc.

The Guardian Campaign Goals

• To create a higher level of respect, responsibility and compassion toward other beings by encouraging those who share their lives with animals to consider themselves guardians of companions, rather than owners of property, objects, and things.
• To acknowledge through this verbal change the deep bond that forms between people and their animal companions.
• To recognize animal guardians who provide their companions a safe, healthy, and loving environment and their animal companions.
• To raise a new generation of children who have strongly internalized these ideals, and who will in turn better serve their communities as responsible guardians and citizens.
• To reconnect neighborhoods by restoring the values of empathy, protection, care and consideration toward family members, neighbors, children and animals in each community.
• To accomplish an historical shift toward a more humane public standard regarding animals by incorporating the term animal guardians into local and state ordinances.
• To render animal abuse, neglect, and abandonment socially unacceptable with the following desired results: A sustained reduction in the number of animals bred and sold for profit.
  • A sustained reduction in the number of animals killed in shelters.
  • An increase in the number of animals rescued and adopted into good homes.
  • An improved system of cross-reporting of child and animal abuse and neglect.