The Big Dog Ranch Rescue
Finding Good Homes for Big (and Little) Dogs
See our video featuring Big Dog Ranch Rescue in this month’s “Letter from the Editor” too!
By Krista Martinelli
The staff and volunteers at the Big Dog Ranch Rescue seem to be successful at finding good homes for rescued dogs, even for dogs that some might consider unadoptable.
“Since 2009, we’ve saved approximately 3,000 dogs,” says Lorrie
Browne of the Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR). At any given time, there are about 300 dogs in the Big Dog Ranch system. They care for about 125 dogs at the Ranch on Acme Road in Wellington (formerly the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center) and the remainder of the dogs are in foster homes throughout the State.
With a very well-organized program and a well-maintained website, the adoption process runs smoothly at BDRR. Those looking to adopt a dog or a puppy can see photos and information ahead of time about each animal at any given time – http://www.bdrr.org/adoptable-dogs/ and the staff are very thorough in making sure that new pet owners know what to expect.
“The goal of the adoption process is getting the right dog to the right home,” explains Lorrie Browne. People looking to adopt are asked to fill out an application on the website, make an appointment and prepare to spend about an hour with an adoption consultant to find the perfect dog for their family. If they already have other dogs at home, they are asked to bring the dog at a follow up visit, giving the dogs space to play and interact with each other in one of the runs on the property. Before the adoption is finalized, a home visit is conducted by one of the many BDRR volunteers to make sure the home is a good fit for the dog and new family. BDRR gives the new pet owners starter food and instructions. They also make sure each dog is spayed or neutered and given all of its shots, at about half the price it would normally cost at a local vet. BDRR does everything it can to set everyone up for success.
Upon my first visit to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, I was struck by a few
things – how beautiful so many of the dogs are, how many of them are purebred and how clean the facility is kept. Also, I noticed that they are no longer all “big dogs.” There are several small dogs in the mix as well. While it started out as a shelter for big dogs, BDRR expanded its reach as it grew larger. They have even changed their logo to say “Big & Little Dog Ranch Rescue.”
They are a no-kill shelter, an unusual thing in this age of pet overflow. As one of our previous AroundWellington writers’ articles pointed out, the average “kill rate” in shelters is 60 – 70% of the animals, which I find to be a shocking and sad statistic. It’s a difficult feat to have a well-run, no-kill animal shelter.
And an even bigger challenge is to rehabilitate dogs who have been in abusive situations and then find loving homes for them. BDRR takes on some of these extremely difficult cases. One amazing recovery happened with a bulldog named Colin, rescued from the Miami-Dade area. He had been used as a “bait dog” to get pit bulls fired up for fighting. He arrived bloody, beaten down and malnourished. “After a lot of love, baths and lot of special medical care, he was adopted,” says Browne. “He now lives happily on a horse farm with five acres of land and other animals.” Another amazing fact of Colin’s recovery – he has never shown any signs of aggression since being adopted. See the video about Colin.
Another great dog recovery story happened with Betsy. She came to Big Dog Ranch Rescue pregnant and had shot gun wounds on her legs. With metal rods on her legs for support, she gained strength, had her litter and then got adopted. Cases like these are often too difficult for other shelters to handle. There are many “Happy Tails” of adoption, and BDRR is good about sharing the good news whenever one of their dogs has found their forever home. (See http://www.bdrr.org/happy-tails/).
For those who would like to help out, but cannot commit to adopting a dog at the moment, another option is fostering a dog. Fostering a dog is a form of volunteerism. Foster home stays are usually two months or longer. While having a dog in their home, the foster parents get to know the dog, promote their dog on Facebook, show off the dog to friends, bring the dog to events and help out BDRR by providing one more space for another dog at the shelter during the stay. They can always choose to go from fostering to adoption, if they would like to.
I asked Lorrie Browne how her whole family got involved in the Big Dog Rescue Ranch cause. She said that her own dog had died quite suddenly, leaving the house far too quiet. So they adopted Roxie from BDRR, who had been a mother for a puppy mill. They were happy to be able to give the dog a new home and a secure future. Meanwhile her niece, who was eleven years old at the time, initiated a fundraiser for BDRR at her school Panther Run. The fundraiser was a huge success, and then as their family got to know the folks at BDRR further, they wanted to continue to help. Browne was impressed with the good work that the staff and volunteers do, offering her own skills with community outreach, fundraising and website work.
When it comes to the needs of the BDRR, the medical bills are a huge factor. In addition to the necessary spaying/neutering and shots, some dogs come to the shelter ill or with serious injuries. They are always in need of more donated services from local vets. Food is another big expense, totaling about 5,000 pounds per month these days. Browne says they were the lucky recipients of a makeover for their surgical center by Designing Spaces. Along with that, they are receiving food for one year from By Nature® Pet Foods. Overall it costs approximately a million dollars per year to operate the Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Every donation, whether it’s financial or a donated item, helps a great deal.
In the winter, they need a lot of blankets for their dogs. Year-round, they need crates, food, toys, sheets, towels and linens. “If you’re cleaning out your linens closet, please think of Big Dog Ranch Rescue,” says Browne.
For those interested in volunteering, they can fill out a form on the BDRR website (http://www.bdrr.org/volunteer-form-2/). Volunteer orientation happens most Sundays. Volunteers learn how to wash dogs, handle dogs and walk dogs. There is also an ongoing need for volunteers to help “behind the scenes.” For example, they can use those who specialize in websites, marketing, gardening, handy work, etc. “Whatever it is that you, we can probably put your skill to work if you’re willing to be a volunteer,” says Browne.
“We have wonderful dogs here,” says Browne. “What people might not realize is that some of these dogs have just lost their homes (because their family lost their home). So last week this dog was sitting comfortably on a bed in someone’s home and now – here he is.” When you make the choice to adopt or foster a dog, you are helping one dog and making room for another dog in need. “You’re becoming part of the whole cycle in doing so, and making the world a better place.”
The Howlin’ Hoedown is Coming Up on January 19th
The Second Annual Howlin’ Hoedown will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at the Players Club from 6:30 p.m. ‘til 11:00 p.m. This event will offer participants a fun-filled, casual evening which will include a silent auction, live auction, line-dancing, BBQ dinner and just a plain-old howlin’ good time! In the process, money will be raised to support Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a local non-profit, no-kill shelter, which is devoted to saving the lives of unwanted pets. They provide a home and care for dogs, of all breeds and sizes, until they are adopted into the right “furever” home.
Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased by filling out the form on the BDRR website (http://www.bdrr.org/hoedown2013/) calling the number below or sending in a check the address below. If you cannot attend, please consider making a donation here.
For additional information on donating to, sponsoring or attending the event, please click on links below or contact Maureen Gross at (561)793-3389 office, or (561)714-0887 cell. We would be happy to arrange for someone to pick up any item that you can donate.
Maureen Gross
Director of Development & Community Outreach Phelps Media Group International
12012 South Shore Blvd., Ste. 105
Wellington, FL 33414
Auction Donation Information and Form
Sponsorship Package for 2013 Howlin’ Hoedown
Thanks to all who have become sponsors or donated items already! The dogs are forever grateful to you as well!