We probably say this every year, but 2026 has been our toughest year yet. The combination of critically low funding and increasing demand is pushing us like never before. From emergency surgeries, to a run-in with parvo, to the near-constant onslaught of unwanted puppies, there just hasn’t been a let-up. With everything that’s going on, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. But there have been victories as well as challenges. It’s time we took stock with a dog rescue report. So grab a glass of something cool and let’s catch up with our 2026 numbers so far.
Rescue report: Adoptions are strong
We all need some good news, so let’s start with the positive. Overall, our adoption numbers continue strong. Between January 1 and June 30 2026, we found homes for 249 dogs and puppies. Let’s take a moment to appreciate that. Through social media, adoption events, word of mouth, and the tireless networking of our rescue partner Meghan’s House Rescue, we’ve already helped nearly 250 dogs find loving families. That’s amazing! We also transferred 68 dogs (primarily puppies) to the Portland area.
This year’s number of adoptions is lower than last year’s (285) for the same date range. But it shows that our adoption rate is steady and that last year was not a fluke. Of course we’d like it to be higher! It’s particularly frustrating to watch our wonderful adult dogs wait month after month with little to no interest, despite our passionate marketing. Adult males especially tend to be overlooked. We’ve tried several creative avenues for reaching potential adopters, including our recent speed dating event, custom songs, and sharing videos of individual dogs on social media.
Speaking of which… our longtime resident Papaya, who grew up in our puppy program and spent the first three and a half years of her life with us, finally found her forever home last month! She shares her new home with another Rescue Ranch pup who was adopted at the speed dating event last February. Now that’s something to wag your tail about.
The demand is higher than ever
Now for the reality check. Our intake numbers remain incredibly high. In the first 6 months of this year, we accepted 347 dogs and puppies into our care. These included 94 adults, 8 seniors, 38 adolescents, and 207 puppies under the age of 6 months. Only 15 of these puppies came from outside our county. In other words, that’s 192 stray and unwanted puppies from Siskiyou County alone.
The vast majority of these dogs have come to us through our partnership with Siskiyou County Animal Control or as community dogs (surrenders not processed through the county system). Most of the county pups come to us from illegal marijuana grows in rural Siskiyou County. Dogs in these communities are generally not spay/neutered. They breed freely and are frequently abandoned to fend for themselves at the end of growing season. It’s a continuing and increasing problem that we’re facing almost entirely unassisted.
The bright side is that every dog we take in is now safe, loved, cared for, and has the opportunity to find a forever family. And of course every dog is spay/neutered when it reaches maturity. Without us, hundreds of dogs and puppies would be euthanized each year.
Searching for solutions
Of course the cost of caring for these dogs is enormous. Besides our hardworking staff, there’s the food, vaccines, power, facility upkeep and improvements, regular veterinary care, and emergency care. The support of our community has been wonderful and we’re deeply grateful for every single donation. However, the hard reality is that our organization cannot survive on individual donations alone. We’re searching for the long-term funding we need for financial stability.
We’re doing all we can to keep our heads above the water and give these dogs the life they deserve. But no one organization, no matter how passionate and determined, can possibly conquer pet overpopulation singlehanded. Changes that would make our operations more sustainable include expanding our foster base and strengthening partnerships with other rescues. But deeper solutions are desperately needed, including:
- an increase of affordable, pet-friendly housing
- funding for spay/neuter initiatives like RRAAP
- community outreach and education
It’s a big task, but together we can find a way forward.
Whether it’s adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating, there are so many ways you can support our mission. If you have ideas or questions about how you can help, please email our team.
