“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
The dream of the Rescue Ranch was born after working on a hoarding case in August of 2011. That case involved 35 dogs (Bostons, Pugs, & “Buggs”). It took the Rescues just 6 days to coordinate transportation and foster homes for all the dogs. The dogs had to wait in a non climate controlled crowded animal control facility packed 6-8 dogs per kennel. None of these dogs had ever had any vaccinations, they were hairless from demodex mange, covered in fleas, and very ill. There were about 5 nursing moms with their babies as well. Six days was too long for them wait in animal control, and more than half contracted Parvo and were too ill to fight it off and died. Since then we have worked with quite a few animal hoarding and cruelty cases and breeder “dumps” often with similar results.
Boston Terriers cannot maintain their body temperature well with their short noses, so a stay in a non air conditioned shelter in the heat of a southern summer is a death sentence, causing heat stroke and seizures. The dogs involved in these cases have often never been outdoors, they have had no vaccinations, they have medical issues that need immediate attention and animal control isn’t a safe place for them. Not to mention that animal control is ALWAYS full and often these dogs are subject to be euthanized immediately. Rescue is often willing to take them in, but where do you put 35 dogs at one time while you coordinate transport & foster homes?
We realized we needed to do something! We had to do more than just foster, and raise awareness, and get our foster dogs adopted out. So, we started looking for land where we could build a facility to be an emergency short term shelter. In October of 2012 we found the site of the “The Rescue Ranch”. It’s 11 acres in Rutledge GA. We renovated the farm house on the property where Renee and I live and started the shelter building in August.
The building has 17 indoor kennels each with their own outdoor run, a dog wash room and laundry room, storage room, restroom, office, and veterinary exam room. It also has two large fenced yards one for outdoor group play and smaller space for meet and greets with potential adopters. We also have a private fenced yard for dogs who need their own play space. There is also a memorial garden for pets that have passed.
The dream is evolved once again as we founded the Rescue Ranch Pups and received our 501(c)3 non profit organization designation. We seek to be a positive force in animal rescue focusing on Boston Terriers & other short nosed breeds in need. The mission of Rescue Ranch Pups is to get these dogs into safety, make them well and whole, and find loving forever homes.
Courtney,
This is your long lost Cousin. I had a customer that asked did I work with any rescue groups that could use medicine. She just lost her Pug and has lots of medicine. She has been working with Rescue herself in transporting. So I shared The Rescue Ranch info. Any body that loses A boston and says they want another one – I always give them your info.
Great job that you and Renee are doing.
Take Care – love Debbie
Thank you!
Debbie McGinty,
This is Donna Lytle. I’m the customer who spoke with you when I came to pick up my baby’s urn. I wanted to thank you for reaching out to your cousin, Courtney, as she contacted me the next day. We were able to meet and I was able to donate many items to the Rescue Ranch, including meds, food, treats, and other items. If it were not for you, I would not have known about Rescue Ranch and this amazing organization! Courtney invited me to join their group to continue my volunteering as a transporter and a perform home inspections for possible adoptions and I accepted.
I wanted to thank you and Courtney for allowing me to get back into volunteering with smushed nosed dogs and feeling their unconditional love.
In honor of Eddie Pug (11-3-2014),
Donna
We lost our precious Boston girl “Happy” in May 2015 to cancer. She was 1 month shy of being 12 years old. I miss her so much that it hurts. I keep praying that the pain will go away but it doesn’t. I’m afraid of losing another one that’s why I just can’t bring myself to fill out an adoption application. If by any chance you girls would be interested in letting me come to the ranch just to visit one day to get some Boston love, please let me know. I’d love to meet Mugsbie, Buster Brown and the entire gang. Y’all are so very wonderful and I’m so thankful for all that y’all do. If not, I totally understand. I comment sometimes on your FB posts and look forward to seeing the pics, etc. I’m April Powers from Warner Robins. Thanks again for everything that y’all do, these babies are so very blessed to be In your care….
That would be lovely April. We are open to the public on monthly volunteer days, which are posted on our Facebook events.
Also, have you considered fostering? I don’t think the pain of losing them ever really goes away, but for me, helping the next one helps.
Do you actually adopt these sweeties out or auction them off to the highest bidder,just asking.
Adoption fees are set by age and breed. We do not auction off any animals.
I am looking for older, calm Boston, female. Do you have any available?
saw you on Fox 5 news this morning.
We’ve had the honor to be parents to 5 bostons, over the last 30 years.
Our first, Daisey, lived to be 15 years old and died of cancer.
and we lost number 4, 3 years ago, I cry for her almost dailey.
theres something about a Boston that just takes over a place in your heart. And you know you’ll never be without them.
they can be pains in the A$$ sometimes, simply because they are too gosh darn smart for their own good!!! but their little attitudes is what makes them so special.
Rescue Ranch Pups. I have a very nice dog stroller that I would like to donate to your rescue I am in the east cobb area very close to I75. The stroller has never been used & I felt like y’all could use it most. It will need to be picked up.