Small But Mighty Rescue

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / South Carolina

Mission

Small But Mighty Rescue is a nonprofit organization based in Campobello, South Carolina, operated by a dedicated team of volunteers. We specialize in rescuing small dogs, with a particular focus on Chihuahuas—both because they are among the most euthanized breeds and because we have a deep affection for them. Our mission is to identify dogs in need, provide them with the care and rehabilitation they deserve, and place them in loving, permanent homes. Guided by compassion and patience, we are committed to ensuring every dog we rescue can thrive.
In addition to rescue efforts, Small But Mighty is devoted to education to address the widespread overpopulation, neglect and abuse of dogs and cats. We aim to inform future generations of pet owners about responsible care, the financial and time commitments involved, and the importance of treating pets as valued family members. Our outreach also emphasizes the critical role of vaccinations, as well as the benefits of spaying and neutering, in promoting healthier and more sustainable animal communities. Small But Mighty focuses on community involvement, outreach and education as the path forward to stopping the viscous cycle of animal cruelty.

Programs or services

Small But Mighty believes that meaningful change begins with education. With a strong focus on inspiring the next generation, our organization has expanded its mission beyond foster-based rescue into storytelling and literature. Small But Mighty creates children’s books based on real rescue stories. By sharing these experiences, we help young readers learn compassion, responsibility, and kindness toward animals. Our goal is to break the cycle of animal abuse and neglect by shaping more empathetic future generations. Kindness begets kindness. By teaching children how to care for animals, we can build a better world for both animals and people.
Small But Mighty also publishes an online Substack journal, The Pickle Post, dedicated entirely to animal advocacy. Through fact-based content, we aim to inform the public and promote stronger support for animal welfare, grounded in the belief that kindness to animals reflects kindness toward others.
Lastly, Small But Mighty believes in community effort and support. Through local engagement and outreach, we find the more people involved in animal rescue and care, the stronger the community will be. Small But Mighty works with local shelters to pull dogs off euthanasia lit as well as dogs that need medical attention above and beyond what a shelter is capable of. We also work closely with Animal Allies, a low cost spay and neuter clinic in Spartanburg County. By working with other organizations with a common mission we can extend our outreach and help more dogs while improving the community.

Detailed programs

The Foster Program Success Model
For the past six years, Small But Mighty Dog Rescue has operated as a foster-based rescue, meaning every dog lives in a foster home while receiving rehabilitation, medical care, and preparation for adoption. This model has been instrumental in our success, providing each dog with individualized care, socialization, and the opportunity to thrive in a home environment rather than a traditional shelter setting.
Foster homes allow us to gain valuable insight into each dog's personality, behavior, and specific needs. We learn what type of home will best set them up for long-term success. Does the dog thrive with another canine companion? Do they require a fenced yard? Do they need additional leash training or confidence-building? By understanding each dog's unique needs, we are able to make thoughtful, successful matches with adoptive families, resulting in more stable, lifelong placements.
Our new on-site facility will be designed around this proven foster model. Rather than resembling a traditional shelter, the space will include comfortable living areas with couches, chairs, and home-like furnishings that replicate the environment dogs will experience after adoption. This setting will allow volunteers and staff to quickly socialize new arrivals, build trust, observe behavior, and identify each dog's individual needs.
Combined with dedicated areas for exercise, enrichment, and supervised socialization with other dogs, while minimizing the amount of time each dog spends in a kennel, this innovative approach will significantly improve both the physical and emotional well-being of every dog in our care. By extending the principles of our successful foster program into our new facility, Small But Mighty will continue to achieve what matters most—placing every dog in the right forever home where they can thrive.

Target Audience

Small But Mighty helps people and animals. For the past 6 years we have been pulling dogs off euthanasia lists from Spartanburg, Mecklenburg, Greenville county and others. We help families who no long have the ability to take care of their dogs due to financial issues, moves, or deaths in family. We also support our local government agencies by taking in strays off the street.

Geographic Focus

United States

Current projects

Small But Mighty believes that meaningful change begins with education. With a strong focus on inspiring the next generation, our organization has expanded its mission beyond foster-based rescue into storytelling and literature. Small But Mighty creates children’s books based on real rescue stories. By sharing these experiences, we help young readers learn compassion, responsibility, and kindness toward animals. Our goal is to break the cycle of animal abuse and neglect by shaping more empathetic future generations. Kindness begets kindness. By teaching children how to care for animals, we can build a better world for both animals and people.
Small But Mighty also publishes an online Substack journal, The Pickle Post, dedicated entirely to animal advocacy. Through fact-based content, we aim to inform the public and promote stronger support for animal welfare, grounded in the belief that kindness to animals reflects kindness toward others.
Lastly, Small But Mighty believes in community effort and support. Through local engagement and outreach, we find the more people involved in animal rescue and care, the stronger the community will be. Small But Mighty works with local shelters to pull dogs off euthanasia lit as well as dogs that need medical attention above and beyond what a shelter is capable of. We also work closely with Animal Allies, a low cost spay and neuter clinic in Spartanburg County. By working with other organizations with a common mission we can extend our outreach and help more dogs while improving the community.

Organization goals

Small But Mighty wishes to continue to help dogs while extending our outreach to the community with more engagement and continued education.

Leadership

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Skomra
Liz is a materials science expert and passionate rescue advocate who brings a scientific, analytical mindset to animal welfare. As the Founder and Director of Small But Mighty Rescue (est. 2020), she has gained firsthand insight into the pet overpopulation crisis, positioning her as a powerful voice for education and change.
Small But Mighty Rescue is an education-focused organization that emphasizes the critical importance of spaying and neutering, vaccinations, and responsible pet care. Driven by a mission to break the cycle of animal neglect, Liz also co-founded Bark and Books, LLC, which creates children’s books inspired by real-life rescue stories from Small But Mighty.
In addition, Liz is the founder of The Pickle Post, an online journal on Substack dedicated to animal advocacy and awareness. With a background in research and development, she ensures that all her work is grounded in facts, guided by data, and focused on meaningful, solution-oriented impact.

Phone: 734-673-0467
smallbutmightyrescue@gmail.com

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Community Services, Pets and Animal Wildlife

Funding needs

Looking ahead, our goal is to establish an on-site facility that serves as both a rescue center and an educational hub. Currently, Small But Mighty operates as a foster-based organization and will use this successful model for our on-site facility. Our path forward is to build an on-site shelter and community center focused on education. Building a pole barn or similar structure would allow us to expand our capacity, saving more dogs while creating opportunities for hands-on learning. This space could host school visits, community events, and rescue-focused programs, all while increasing the number of animals we can help. Over the past six years, we have grown significantly through community engagement, yet local shelters remain overcrowded. Lasting change will require a stronger emphasis on education and continued community involvement.
This grant proposal seeks funding to develop a community-centered rescue facility on donated land. The funds would support the construction of a fully equipped building with electricity, water, and sewer access. This facility would provide safe housing for dogs surrendered or transferred from overcrowded shelters, short term housing for domestic abuse survivors, and strays found off the street. With hundreds of thousands of dogs affected annually due to shelter overcrowding, expanding rescue capacity is essential. If space allows, the facility could also accommodate cats and kittens in need.
The Foster Program Success Model
For the past six years, Small But Mighty Dog Rescue has operated as a foster-based rescue, meaning every dog lives in a foster home while receiving rehabilitation, medical care, and preparation for adoption. This model has been instrumental in our success, providing each dog with individualized care, socialization, and the opportunity to thrive in a home environment rather than a traditional shelter setting.
Foster homes allow us to gain valuable insight into each dog's personality, behavior, and specific ne

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