yes, he is a rescue. I was supposed to foster him but he didn't leave ;-) When he was given up to the shelter (Michigan Humane Society) the reason the owner gave was that they moved into a new home and people in the home were allergic. He was a gift from a friend to them. He was said to be 3 years old (about 9-10 now) When I picked him up he was sick, little hair, skin and bones, rips in his ears that constantly bled, poor teeth. He wasn't cared for, until now :-)