One at a Time Rescue began in 2001 and is now a 501c3 (non-profit) organization. A San Francisco animal control officer, Jen Richardson, originally founded the rescue group. After seizing animals from horrific abuse and neglect situations, it did not seem fair to her that many of these animals would then be put to sleep. The legal holding period for most animals in shelters is just five days. After that, if they can't pass a difficult behavior and medical exam, they won't go up for adoption. Jen realized that for some of these animals, five days was not nearly enough and they deserved a second chance. Eventually, she resigned her position with the city to take on the non-profit full force.

Melissa Flower directs One at a Time's small animal adoptions. She worked for twelve years as the Volunteer Coordinator at SF Animal Care and Control and was instrumental in developing the small animal adoption program there. Melissa is currently recruiting adoption coordinators for guinea pigs, hamsters and mice.

Our organization is run solely on donations and volunteer participation. All contributions are 100% tax-deductible. Without the goodwill and caring nature of the people we work with, we could not exist. We cannot save them all, but "one at a time" we are making a difference.