A Rescue Built on Love and Dedication
By Alexis Bohlinger
In the heart of Macomb County and beyond, a network of dedicated fosters, volunteers and board members come together to create a second chance for animals in need. Saving Destiny, an animal rescue led by CEO Sabrina Stinson, isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about giving the overlooked a place to heal, thrive and find their forever homes.
“Being with other rescues, I saw things that slipped through the cracks,” Stinson explains. “I wanted to be in a higher position where I could ensure we never lost our focus and purpose.”
The name Saving Destiny is rooted in a deeply personal experience. Destiny was a pit bull, found wandering the streets of Detroit. Despite Stinson’s best efforts, finding help for Destiny proved to be a challenge—no one wanted to step up because of her breed. “We found her a place with Detroit Pit Crew but the experience made me realize that I had to take the reins,” she recalls. Destiny’s journey became the inspiration for what is now a thriving rescue organization dedicated to hospice cases, medical cases and senior animals—the ones often left behind.
Unlike traditional shelters, Saving Destiny is a foster-based rescue. This means they do not have a facility and rely entirely on foster families who open their homes and hearts to animals in transition.
Over the past four years, the rescue has grown in ways Stinson never anticipated. “It was a bit unplanned,” she admits. “We had the logo drawn, and everything just happened very quickly. The learning curve was chaos—finding clinics, handling the legal side of being a nonprofit—but along the way, we met amazing people who wanted to help.”
And help they have. Volunteers are the backbone of Saving Destiny, ensuring the day-to-day operations run smoothly. Board members, like the current vice president who once thought rescues were someone else’s problem, now play a crucial role. “She used to purchase all her dogs from breeders,” Stinson shared, “and now she has a rescue pittie who helps teach the puppies how to be dogs.”
Saving Destiny doesn’t just take in dogs and cats—its also helped pigs, reptiles, birds and goats. “If we have fosters willing and able to care for them, we’ll take them in,” Stinson says.
The work isn’t always easy. “Not everyone understands what we do,” she acknowledges. “The hardest part is dealing with people who lack compassion. But at the end of the day, when a scared dog finally feels confident enough to say hi, it’s all worth it. Any day, we’d choose this again.”
The rescue’s commitment to its mission has inspired community support, including an upcoming fundraiser on April 12th—Ruckus in Richmond, a wrestling event at the Richmond Roosevelt Auditorium. Organized by Will Trombley, the event will feature adoptable animals and raise crucial funds for the nonprofit.
For those looking to get involved, the message is simple: “Follow our page, share our posts— it’s so impactful,” Stinson emphasizes. “Donate, foster—there are so many ways to help. Our team is our family, and we couldn’t do this without them.”
At the end of the day, despite the midnight calls and the difficult moments, Stinson wouldn’t trade this life for anything. “I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” she says. “Every day ends with seeing a once hurt or scared animal blossom and that’s what matters.”
