After retiring as vice president of global human resources for a software company in 2013, Naomi Covino adopted a rescue dog, Libby, and made a second career of volunteering at a local animal shelter. In June 2015, she founded Brown Dog Coalition and Rescue at her home in Hopkinton with her daughters, Annie and Katie, to find loving forever homes for homeless and stray dogs.

In addition to its primary mission of transporting dogs and finding new homes for them, the nonprofit organization assists with their medical care and promotes spay and neuter programs. It relies solely on donations and is completely volunteer-based.

Q. Where do the animals originate?

A. I work with a kill shelter in Alabama that gets surrenders of all breeds and sizes every day. I try to get dogs that are good with other dogs, cats, and children, but I do take some that are older or who have been hit by cars. I’m going to be getting a lot of [amputees] soon. We post them on Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet and do matchmaking to find the right home.

Q. What are the basic adoption requirements?

A. We’re looking for good owners who will take their pets to the vet every year to keep their shots up to date, and also the right fit in terms of the dog’s and family’s energy level. I do not adopt to anyone who uses prong collars, shock collars, or choke chains.

Q. What are the requirements for fostering?

A. Ideally, folks work from home or are home for a good part of the day. They can have kids, cats, and other dogs, and they don’t need prior experience. We loan them all the leashes, food, and bowls.

Q. What are the adoption fees?

A. We charge $475, or $250 for a dog who is age 7 and older. Our expenses are transportation, the 48-hour quarantine period with Great Dog Rescue New England, spaying and neutering, rabies shots, microchipping, and other medical costs. One of our dogs, Jolly, had to have a .22-caliber bullet removed from his leg. Surgery is expensive, so we’re always looking for donations.

Q. Why do this?

A. To hear families say, “This is the love of my life who brought our family together.’’ I literally have been in happy tears reading their wonderful stories. That’s when I know this is working and really worth it.

For more information, e-mail browndogcoalitionandrescue@gmail.com or visit browndogcoalition.com.

Cindy Cantrell can be reached at cindycantrell20@gmail.com.