Best of the Best
CoMoGives 2019
#1 Nonprofit in Columbia

We are SO EXCITED to share that we were awarded #1 Nonprofit in Columbia! We are so honored and thrilled to have your support!

Thank you to everyone who voted for us and helps us in our important work. ❤️ 🎉 🥂

https://www.insidecolumbia.net/best-of-columbia-2023/

Check it out
Training
CoMoGives 2019
We offer Force-Free Training Classes

Force free training is teaching an animal without pain, intimidation, threats, force, or coercion.

Force free training encourages a stronger bond and relationship with your dog and helps dogs gain confidence by thinking for themselves and learning to make good choices on their own.

Our training classes provide information and education to the public to prevent dogs from living life on a chain, segregated to a pen, or being surrendered to the shelter by teaching owners how to teach their dog.

Force free training is teaching an animal without pain, intimidation, threats, force, or coercion.

Force free training encourages a stronger bond and relationship with your dog and helps dogs gain confidence by thinking for themselves and learning to make good choices on their own.

Our training classes provide information and education to the public to prevent dogs from living life on a chain, segregated to a pen, or being surrendered to the shelter by teaching owners how to teach their dog.

Force free training is teaching an animal without pain, intimidation, threats, force, or coercion.

Force free training encourages a stronger bond and relationship with your dog and helps dogs gain confidence by thinking for themselves and learning to make good choices on their own.

Our training classes provide information and education to the public to prevent dogs from living life on a chain, segregated to a pen, or being surrendered to the shelter by teaching owners how to teach their dog.

Classes Availble Now
Social Hour
CoMoGives 2019
Join us for Social Hour!

Dog owners can sign up on a weekly basis to bring their dogs to play with other dogs their age as well as be introduced to new experiences and people.
Our experts can also discuss and answer basic training questions like crate training or loose leash walking.

Dog owners can sign up on a weekly basis to bring their dogs to play with other dogs their age as well as be introduced to new experiences and people.
Our experts can also discuss and answer basic training questions like crate training or loose leash walking.

Dog owners can sign up on a weekly basis to bring their dogs to play with other dogs their age as well as be introduced to new experiences and people.
Our experts can also discuss and answer basic training questions like crate training or loose leash walking.

Let's Play!
Donate
CoMoGives 2019
Please support our lifesaving work

Our lifesaving programs are supported by private donors like you. We do not receive any government funding.

Your contribution to Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue is immediately put to use saving lives and helping dogs in need.

Our lifesaving programs are supported by private donors like you. We do not receive any government funding.

Your contribution to Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue is immediately put to use saving lives and helping dogs in need.

Our lifesaving programs are supported by private donors like you. We do not receive any government funding.

Your contribution to Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue is immediately put to use saving lives and helping dogs in need.

Donate Now
Foster
CoMoGives 2019
Foster families are our most important resource

Unchained Melodies Inc. operates out of foster homes rather than a shelter. In order to rescue dogs, we need foster homes willing to provide a temporary home while our dogs await adoption.

We provide everything you need to care for our dogs. You and your family only need to provide a safe and loving home.

Unchained Melodies Inc. operates out of foster homes rather than a shelter. In order to rescue dogs, we need foster homes willing to provide a temporary home while our dogs await adoption.

We provide everything you need to care for our dogs. You and your family only need to provide a safe and loving home.

Unchained Melodies Inc. operates out of foster homes rather than a shelter. In order to rescue dogs, we need foster homes willing to provide a temporary home while our dogs await adoption.

We provide everything you need to care for our dogs. You and your family only need to provide a safe and loving home.

Become a Foster
Volunteer
CoMoGives 2019
Join our volunteer team!

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer-centric organization! The work we do to save animals requires community participation, and one of the most effective ways to get involved is through volunteering.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer-centric organization! The work we do to save animals requires community participation, and one of the most effective ways to get involved is through volunteering.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer-centric organization! The work we do to save animals requires community participation, and one of the most effective ways to get involved is through volunteering.

Become a Volunteer
Adopt
CoMoGives 2019
Let us match you with a great rescue dog!

We would love to match you with a great rescue dog. Our goal is to get dogs off chains, out of pens and into responsible, loving, permanent homes.

We want to make sure you are the right match for our dog and that our dog is the right match for your family.

Because all dogs are different and sometimes the transition from foster home to forever home can cause setbacks, we’ve implemented a foster to adopt period for ALL of our dogs over 6 months old.

We would love to match you with a great rescue dog. Our goal is to get dogs off chains, out of pens and into responsible, loving, permanent homes.

We want to make sure you are the right match for our dog and that our dog is the right match for your family.

Because all dogs are different and sometimes the transition from foster home to forever home can cause setbacks, we’ve implemented a foster to adopt period for ALL of our dogs over 6 months old.

We would love to match you with a great rescue dog. Our goal is to get dogs off chains, out of pens and into responsible, loving, permanent homes.

We want to make sure you are the right match for our dog and that our dog is the right match for your family.

Because all dogs are different and sometimes the transition from foster home to forever home can cause setbacks, we’ve implemented a foster to adopt period for ALL of our dogs over 6 months old.

Adopt a Dog
Bequest
CoMoGives 2019
A Gift in Your Will

By including a bequest to Unchained Melodies in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue to celebrate animals and confront cruelty for years to come.

By including a bequest to Unchained Melodies in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue to celebrate animals and confront cruelty for years to come.

By including a bequest to Unchained Melodies in your will or living trust, you are ensuring that we can continue to celebrate animals and confront cruelty for years to come.

Make a Gift
previous arrow
next arrow

About Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue (UMDR) is a volunteer based, nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained/penned dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home with the family as a companion pet.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue educates, legislates and rescues the chained/penned backyard dog and fights against animal abuse and cruelty. The goal of this organization is to advocate for the chained/penned backyard dog or any dog who has no voice and cannot help or protect themselves.

Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue educates owners and the community, and offers many free services to include vetting, training and re-homing of dogs and most importantly, raises awareness in the community regarding these issues.  This organization is also at the forefront of creating, strengthening and enforcing local ordinances and laws.

In the News

UMDR hosts first Pet Health Fair ...

The Unchained Melodies Pet Fair brought 16 local pet organizations together Sunday to educate pet owners on how to keep their pets safe.

Encampment dogs are not 'just a ...

Through the thick brush behind a big-box store, two figures emerge: A tall man wearing cargo pants and his best friend, whose collar jingles every time he takes short four-legged strides.

Inflation puts a strain on pet ...

Rising inflation is impacting pet owners and forcing some people to surrender their dogs to animal shelters.

Rescuing the Wigglebutts

For Melody Whitworth, director of Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue, it all started with one dog.

Pandemic pets: where are they now?

The beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 saw pets being adopted and fostered at unprecedented rates.

HUGE Victory For the Dogs of Columbia, MO!

Tethering Ordinance Passes Unanimously at the City Counsel meeting on June 4th.

Confining a Dog is a Silent Killer

Every dog deserves to live as part of his/her human family, regardless of size or breed.

A Safe Space for Dogs

The Fourth of July is coming and so are the fireworks, but your pets may not be as excited as you are for the show.

Easter Egg Hunt

Pets and owners got the chance to talk, bark and play as they waited to hear the words “go hunt!”

Speading the Love

Spreading the love: Columbia senior living residents get a surprise visit from...PUPPIES!

Rescue dogs in Need of a Companion

Foster homes for dogs dwindle as pandemic circumstances change

National Puppy Day

Dog rescue seeing surge of new moms and puppies, in need of volunteers to foster

In the Know

Sponsor Life Saving Treatment for a very deserving dog
We rescue dogs who unfortunately test positive for heartworms far too often. Heartworms, which are transmitted through mosquitoes, can be deadly if left untreated. The treatment is a very long, expensive and painful one, yet safe and effective. [...]

UMDR offers dog training classes to the community
Our training classes provide information and education to the public to prevent dogs from living life on a chain, segregated to a pen, or being surrendered to the shelter by teaching owners how to teach their dog. [...]

Amazon Wishlist
Next time you are shopping on Amazon, consider adding an item from our Amazon Wishlist to your shopping cart. Every item on our Wishlist helps us continue our mission of freeing the chained dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home and family. [...]

New line of UMDR Swag!
We now have a new line of UMDR swag. Click on the link to see the entire line of  merchandise. A portion of all sales are donated back to UMDR! https://shop.spreadshirt.com/UMDRShop/ [...]

Central Mo Pet Pantry
Columbia MO Pet Pantry was created to help feed needy pets in the Central Missouri area. Dog and cat food is provided when available. We have designated outlets where families in need can pick up supplies. [...]

Happy Dog! Coloring Book – Community Education Program
Unchained Melodies believes in early education to teach children responsible pet ownership. We are thrilled to announce our new coloring books are here and ready to get into the hands of the children of our community. This coloring and activity book has 32 pages of coloring fun, along with puzzle [...]