The holidays are here–and shelters everywhere are overflowing with lovable dogs waiting for forever love. Rescue Ranch is no exception! With over 280 dogs and puppies currently in our care, to say we are full is an understatement. Let’s make this holiday season the best one ever for dogs in need. Together, we can give each of these precious pups the greatest gift of all: a home for the holidays!
Adoptions are improving…
First the good news. Slowly but surely we’re seeing an uptick in the number of adoptions. As of November 30, we’ve found homes for 493 dogs and puppies this year. This is already an improvement over last year, due in large part to the indefatigable networking of our awesome partner, Karen Topping of Meghan’s House Rescue. Karen’s adoption events continue to promote Rescue Ranch pups locally and further afield. Also, despite the widespread shelter crisis, we’ve teamed up with a rescue partner in Portland. Several lucky puppies have transferred north where they’ve been scooped up by loving families. There’s nothing that warms our hearts like hearing that a former Rescue Ranch pup has found a home for the holidays!
…but the shelter crisis continues
Now for the reality check. The surge of stray and unwanted puppies continues. As we mentioned last month, the county shelter cannot cope with the constant influx. It’s a chronic and increasing problem, made worse at this time of year by itinerant growers leaving the Vistas. Grow dogs are often abandoned to fend for themselves at the end of the growing season. December nights are too cold for puppies to be left exposed. The only humane option is to make room for each stray litter that comes our way.
Each week brings us stray puppies–sometimes singletons or pairs, sometimes an entire litter. Our most recent arrivals are six 4-month-old shepherd mixes found on a road in the Copco area. They’re skinny but very friendly.
On December 2 we took in 17 stray puppies (from three different litters) plus one very hungry momma. She wandered onto a property in the Vistas, thin and heavy with milk. Her finder realized she had been abandoned to give birth alone and was able to locate the newborn pups. Now momma Narnia and her family are beginning a new chapter in life–safe, warm, and nourished.
There are too many recent strays to list here. Not all our litters are abandoned, however. We also accept our share of “oops” litters born to unspayed mothers. This is why the Rescue Ranch Alter Assistance Program is so essential. RRAAP has been in high demand all year, with appointments booked months ahead of time.
Let’s give shelter dogs a home for the holidays!
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the pet overpopulation crisis. Here are nine powerful actions you can take to help shelter dogs this holiday season:
- Adopt! We have hundreds of pups of all ages and breed mixes looking for love. Our Adoption Center staff are happy to help you find the perfect fit for your family.
- Foster! Give a shelter pup a respite and enjoy some furry companionship this winter. Fostering for even a short time gives shelter dogs home experience and valuable life lessons. We provide the supplies, you provide the love.
- Spread the word. Tell your friends about all the dogs (and puppies!) looking for homes. If they need convincing, try these arguments. And it never hurts to share your rescue story!
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share our adoptable dogs. One click could find a shelter pup a home for the holidays!
- Volunteer. Whether it’s walking dogs, sitting with shy pups, taking cute pictures, folding laundry, or scooping yards, we’re always looking for help.
- Donate. Monetary donations are wonderful, but we also accept dog food for our pet food bank, as well as blankets, dog beds, and doggy sweaters/jackets to keep our shelter pups warm.
- Join our Kennel Squad monthly sustainer program.
- Send a gift. We’ve made Chewy and Amazon wishlists–check them twice!
- Shop. The Rescue Ranch Thrift Store has a wonderful inventory of holiday decor and seasonal items. They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 to 3.
It takes a village but together we can turn the tide for dogs in need. Let’s give them all a home for the holidays!
