​Paddington Station rescues at-risk animals from municipal shelters that are overseen by local Animal Control.  These animals are surrendered to the shelter, are brought in as strays, or occasionally are confiscated from poor living situations.  They are kept at the shelter for any mandatory periods ("holds").

Shelters vary widely in resources and in population of animals served, but virtually no shelter can care for and place every animal it takes in.  Many U.S. shelters euthanize a horrifying number of 
animals, sometimes for health or behavioral problems, often for simple lack of space.  Many shelters too are striving to earn the "no kill" designation.  The shelter system coordinates with private, 
non-profit public charities such as ours, corporations devoted to animal rescue.  We accept transfer of ownership for a limited number of animals, and those animals become our responsibility.

We make an initial assessment and determine what medical care or behavioral assistance the animal requires.  We then place the animal in an appropriate foster home.   We do not have a kennel or other boarding facility - all our foster animals are cared for as family members until placement.

We run a small, closely coordinated, all-volunteer rescue, with a limited number of foster homes. Throughout their foster period, we continue to evaluate our  animals carefully, and rehabilitate them as needed.  We post these animals as "available" when they are ready to leave their foster homes.

At the human end, we work with potential adopters to ensure the best possible match of animal and new family.  After placement, we keep in touch with and continue to support our adopters.

Although we take in many different dogs and cats, we intend to focus on livestock guarding dogs, such as Great Pyrenees, Kuvasz, Maremmas, and Akbash.  These gentle giants have been bred for centuries to work and think independently, rather than responding to cues from humans. 
They are bred to perform a critical job, guarding flocks of sheep, goats, and other livestock from predation by lions, bears, and so on. They must be fiercely protective of their flock, yet exquisitely 
gentle with, for example, baby lambs and goat kids.  These exceptional dogs make wonderful family companions as well as life-protecting ranch guardians.  All breeds have their own peculiarities and special skills; livestock guardians are perhaps more different than most others.  Their people must have an understanding of the  dogs' unique skills and instincts.  Our careful placement process ensures that these dogs will be granted that understanding, as well as awed appreciation of their powerful graceful bodies, courageous temperaments, and loyal hearts.