We were referred to MABCR from the Aussie rescue who'd approved our application for an Aussie/Aussie mix puppy. MABCR is on beautiful farm and had an incredibly caring person, Sarah, running the operation. She puts great emphasis not just on saving dogs' lives, but also judiciously finding them forever homes. We'd never had a dog and an autistic child. Several other rescues had turned us down for those reasons. But she talked to us, trusted the word of the ARPH who'd approved us and matched us to the love of all our lives. I'm happy the other rescues didn't take us because we'd not have our perfect friend we got from MABCR. It's stunning to me that people hop on the site of a charity organization saving lives of dogs and project your own stuff, whatever it may be, onto a charity that rescues dogs. I didn't consider doing that for a moment to the rescues who rejected our application. They have a mission and their rejection of our family was because we weren't the right fit for the dog or their work. When you attack a charity, you're not hurting those who run it as much as you're harming those they're helping. When we get our second dog, it will be an MABCR dog. Why? Because they know what they're doing, they care passionately for these dogs and have the courage and commitment to saving lives to make judicious adoption choices. Sometimes, it's hard, an arduous process working with rescues. Dogs end up in rescues most often because some will just give a puppy to anyone who writes a check. Be patient. Your fur child is out there waiting patiently for you to find him/her. Trust the pros. I'm glad we did. MABCR gave us a perfect match. We're eternally grateful for the abundant daily joy they brought into our lives. Thanks so much MABCR! read more

I adopted through Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. Here's why I'd do it again: (1) The application--it gave me a chance to tell MABCR who I am so they could start thinking about a match, and it got me thinking about questions for them. (2) The phone call--I learned more about the breed, and the caller helped me think through what I was looking for. (3) The home visit--I learned more about the breed, some training tips, and the volunteer who visited learned more about me to fine-tune the matching process----and yes---I got to meet the volunteer's border collie! (4) Meeting 'my dog'- this was a no pressure meeting. I knew that if it felt right, I'd come home with a dog, and if it didn't, we'd try another match. I left that meeting with a dog, a wealth of tips for acclimating my new guy to our household, and the knowledge that I had a support system ready to answer any question. This process isn't for everyone--it took a couple of weeks. But the process works...#rightdogrighthome is MABCR's focus. I got my guy when he was a year and a half---we'll be together for 15+ years. The time invested upfront to make a great match was worth it to me. read more

I adopted my first border collie from this rescue in 2005. Over the years since, I have had the pleasure of adopting three more, two of whom became trained and certified as therapy dogs. All have been outstanding ambassadors for the breed and for the rescue -- I know families who met my dogs at the Little League field, out and about, etc. and then went to this rescue on that basis. I live in western Pennsylvania and think so highly of this organization that I would not go anywhere else for a dog. The opportunities for support and education have been invaluable. This is a complex, intelligent breed and not for everyone -- but I appreciate that the dogs are the priority here, and even as a lifelong dog owner, I always have so much to learn. I was surprised by some of the negative reviews here, but in reading them, it strikes me that they are person-centric, as though this were a pet store at the mall whose primary focus is pleasing people and not the appropriate rehoming of the dog. When people don't get what they want (whether or not what they want is right for the animal), Yelp seems to be the venting outlet of choice. read more

We had to re-home a german shepherd/ border collie puppy that was not a good fit for our family. Frankly after losing a beloved pet after 14 years we made a poor and impulsive decision and purchased a puppy from a disreputable breeder in the Lancaster area. We were not the right family to give this puppy (who really needed to be a working dog) his best life and he was not the right fit for us. I contacted MABCR and Sarah was incredibly responsive and took the puppy in. She also educated us in the process but was never condescending or rude. Sarah worked tirelessly to remove the puppy and found him a wonderful home and the job needed. Sarah is all about doing the best for the animals and does amazing work. As for those who say that they were treated badly by MABCR- I would suspect that they were unwilling to take responsibility for their mistakes and/or were just rude to Sarah. We are so grateful that MABCR was there for us! read more

MABCR is absolutely one of the best rescues I've come across. Over 10 years ago my husband and I used to foster for another local rescue. They assumed we were going to keep the dog and took the dogs listing off their web page and when they were confronted they brushed us off, We had to take the dog in and leave it after fighting with the rescue. After this happened we began to foster for MABCR and did so for 20+ dogs. Being very involved in the process and seeing how caring their staff is was humbling. Nothing matters more to them than making sure the right dog is matched to the right humans whether that's a friendly happy bubbly dog or a shy dog with a few extra challenges. 2 years ago we adopted our first girl from her and she is PERFECT match for our family with young children and other dogs. I would recommend MABCR to anybody looking for the perfect companion. read more

MABCR's process and policies uphold integrity in the adoption process. I'm so glad to volunteer with an organization that advocates for the best owner-dog match possible! My fiancé and I ended up adopting our four-legged family member from MABCR in Fall 2019. We initially applied for a female, purebred Border Collie and ended up with Frankie, a male mixed breed. Lemme tell ya, it's match made in heaven in all the right ways. His energy level and disposition fit our lifestyle in a way that doesn't feel like a square peg trying to squeeze into a round hole. There's excesses hate in some of these comments because folks' inability to look past their own ego and enter productive and constructive conversations about expectations versus reality of specific dogs and the matching process. read more

I adopted my first dog from MABCR 8 years ago: an 8-year-old retired herder who taught me everything he knew. I adopted my second dog from them last summer - a gregarious, exuberant 8-month-old pup. The application process is extremely thorough, and the result is that you don't just take home a dog that looks cute online - you get matched with a dog that is *the perfect fit* for your household and lifestyle. My two dogs were very different from each other, and each of them vastly exceeded my expectations for a companion and partner. And I know I can always call MABCR for expert advice when I need it. I strongly recommend them; in fact I wouldn't think of getting a dog anywhere else, unless I wanted it already trained for a specific purpose. read more

I have shared my home with border collies for more than 40 years and my current border collies have all come from Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. Sarah's ability to match the right dog to my home environment and interests has been amazing. Unlike a typical shelter, Sarah takes the time to fully know the needs of the dogs in her care and has a thorough vetting process that matches that dog to a home where the dog will thrive. While some may not appreciate the time it takes to make the right match, when I bring a dog home, I know what to expect, what training the dog will need, and that he or she can fit in with my cats, grandkids and other dogs. Each dog has brought me a new appreciation of the hard work and dedication of this rescue. read more

I recently adopted a GREAT dog from Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. They provide a very complete application process and go to great lenghs to match up the right dog for you. They want to make sure the dogs are put in the best environment possible for growth. We're happy with the process, the match that was made and the continued support that has been given. Highly recommended. read more

Sarah is brilliant, compassionate, and the best advocate for dogs that I know. Her expertise and passion for matchmaking an engaged adopter to their perfect pup is astounding. I'm honored to be a member of the MABCR family and highly recommend this dedicated rescue to anyone looking to add a Border Collie to their family. read more

I have adopted several dogs from Mid Atlantic Border Collie Rescue. They are above and beyond any organization I have ever worked with. The volunteers are friendly, Sarah has a wonderful knack of matching me with just the right dog, and I have been impressed with everyone's professionalism. read more

I got my first border collie from MABCR in 2005 --- and have gotten 2 more....which should explain the reason for my star rating. Sarah, the executive director, is extremely good and experienced with matching the right human with the right dog. read more