The Rescue Ranch
A boston terrier rescue
Dedicated to saving medically fragile & special needs Boston Terriers & their friends.
We seek to be a positive influence in animal rescue through community outreach, working with other rescues, and making a difference in the lives of animals.
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About Us
About Our Rescue
Placed on 11 rural acres on a private residence in Rutledge, GA, our goal is to provide the best care for dogs in need, including their physical, emotional, and behavioral needs. As part of that mission, we seek to be a positive influence in animal rescue and work closely with those in our community.
Due to our mission of working with the most medically fragile, we DO NOT have a large number of adotable dogs at any time. We can only accept applications as dogs come available for adoption.
$5 Makes A Difference
The Rescue Ranch receives no funding from any federal or government source and relies 100% on donations from people like you! Every dollar goes directly towards the care of the animals in our programs.
Our Mission:
To provide exceptional care for medically complex Boston Terriers, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and other short-nosed breeds—meeting their physical, emotional, and behavioral needs—while being a positive force in animal rescue and community outreach.
Where It Began
The dream of Rescue Ranch was born in August 2011, during a hoarding case involving 35 neglected dogs—Boston Terriers, Pugs, and “Buggs.” They waited six days in overcrowded, non-climate-controlled kennels before rescue transport could be arranged. Many were hairless from mange, riddled with fleas, severely ill, and nursing mothers with puppies. More than half contracted parvo or suffered heat stroke and died before help arrived.
That heartbreak made it clear: fostering wasn’t enough. We needed a dedicated space to take in urgent cases immediately.
Building the Ranch
In October 2012, we found the land that became The Rescue Ranch. By 2014, we were officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Today, our facility includes:
- 17 indoor kennels with individual outdoor runs
- Veterinary exam room, laundry, storage, and office space
- Dog wash room and restrooms
- Three large fenced yards plus two private play spaces for dogs needing extra care
- A memorial garden honoring beloved pets who’ve passed
Our Special Focus
Over the years, we found our calling: caring for medically fragile dogs—those with paralysis, neurological disorders, birth defects, and other complex needs. Our location near the University of Georgia and partnerships with skilled veterinarians allow us to give these dogs specialized care they often can’t get elsewhere.
Beyond the Ranch: Community Impact
We also work to reduce shelter intake and strengthen pet-owner connections through:
- Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Access – reducing pet overpopulation
- Free Rabies & Microchip Clinics – reuniting lost pets faster and providing basic access to care
- Pet Food Distribution – partnering with food banks to provide 10,000+ lbs. of pet food weekly across rural Georgia
- Community Christmas Program – providing coats, toys, and treats to pets in need
- Pet Oxygen Mask Donations – supplying over 60 masks to local fire stations in 2025
- Christmas in July & Secret Santa – connecting volunteers directly with rescue animals to provide needed supplies
Our Promise:
We are committed to giving every dog we take in the very best care—medical, emotional, and behavioral—while working hand-in-hand with our community to create lasting change for animals in need.
Other Questions
Before sending an email, please check our most common pages to find your answer. We are 100% a VOLUNTEER organization and unable to reply to questions already addressed below.
Services
What We Do
Rescuing Dogs
We are a breed specific rescue focusing on medically fragile, special needs, & senior Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, & Pugs.
Rural Outreach
Working with other rescues through-out rural Georgia to provide food for dogs & cats.
Community partnerships
We work with other animal welfare organizations to help reduce pet over population through access to low cost spay & neuter, free microchipping, & free rabies vaccines.