Rescue Spotlight

All dogs need a helping hand; whether it’s as a small puppy in a new home or as a rescue dog in need of medical treatment or socialization. When we look at the heart wrenching videos and photos on the web, many times we see small creatures that are weak and helpless, but one rescue shows that big dogs need love, too. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue’s mission is pretty self-explanatory—help big, fluffy dogs in need. Find out more about this Nashville-based rescue in the BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight!

When & Why did you start?

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping giant breed mixed breed dogs in need. We value dogs of all breeds, but we specialize in what the name says: big, fluffy dogs. We have volunteers in several states in the South and New England who work to help homeless big fluffy dogs find a home to call their own. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue works to save Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and their mixes from euthanasia.

Our dogs come in to rescue for many different reasons. Many were abandoned at high kill shelters in the South, some were turned in by owners who could not properly care for them, and still others are failed livestock guardian dogs. Regardless of their origins, our goal for every dog we have is the same: a safe, happy home where each dog is a well-loved member of the family. Big Fluffy Dog Rescue has its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee. We have volunteers in several states in the South and across New England.

What's different about your rescue?

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue has a “No Dog Left Behind” Policy. That means if we take a big fluffy from a kennel at the shelter, we take any dog that is in there with him or her. We always take Momma’s with their babies. No Dog Left Behind! Read more

Running a rescue takes a lot of dedication and organization to boot, but that key factor to many rescues is networking. If any organization is serious about saving animal lives, they’ll tell you that you have to constantly be meeting people and finding the really dependable ones. That’s what one rescue depends on and has built itself into a national, all-volunteer, breed-specific organization. It’s all started with a little Cairn Terrier named Colonel Potter. Read his story and more about the organization he inspired in the BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight on the Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network.

When & Why did you start?

Col. Potter began as the result of ONE little Cairn boy (named Col. Potter) who was tragically killed. As donations in his honor began to come in from Cairn club members  – so many wanted to help – the process began so that the organization was formed and became a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) in October 2001. Since that time, over 3,500 Cairns or mostly Cairn mixes have been rescued and brought into CPCRN (Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network). Many of the dogs that we have helped have been what is considered to be "non-regular" Cairn rescues—those from puppy mills (the breeding dogs) and those who are purchased at auction. We also handle those with some health issues and the elderly. Several have had Heartworm and were treated for this. Some have had some behavioral issues, and are now great little pals in private homes.

What's different about your rescue?

Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network is truly a network of volunteers. We have 600+ members and 200+ active volunteers. We do not have a facility. We were the first non-shelter, all volunteer national online rescue group working across the U.S. and Canada. Our volunteers donate their time, homes, hearts, and money so that CPCRN can be the great organization it is. We are the largest single breed rescue and do not receive any corporate funding. All volunteers, including our Board of Directors and Officers, are unpaid. We have teams for all aspects of the rescue and adoption process: Communications; Home Visit; Foster Home; Match Maker (yes, that is right – matching the right home for the right Cairn); Contracts; Transport; Promotion/Fundraising; Medical; and the first stop for a rescue Cairn, the Intakes Team. Read more

Puppies are small and helpless creatures who need our love and care. Now imagine a puppy that has never had human interaction and lives its days in a cramped cage with inadequate care. On top of that, this small dog has a birth defect. This is the scene in many puppy mills across the nation. Inhumane and cruel, puppy mill breeders often euthanize small dogs with birth defects, but that’s where Safehaven Small Breed Rescue steps in. This Pennsylvania rescue rescues and rehabilitates dogs that otherwise wouldn’t make it to a pet store from a puppy mill. We spoke to the rescue’s chair Teri Walters about the struggles and success of Safehaven Small Breed Rescue. Read more below in BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight.

When & Why did you start?

Safehaven Small Breed Rescue was founded in 2006 when a little senior Shih Tzu breeder named Pooh came into our care. She had many illnesses due to her previous neglect and other rescues and shelters had suggested euthanasia. We saw something in her eyes that said she was not ready to leave this world, so we gave her a chance. With proper veterinary care and a lot of love, Pooh healed and went on to live another 6 years, happy and content with her life. She made us realize that many of the dogs deemed “unadoptable” and euthanized by other rescues just needed the time and care to heal. Many of these dogs have never been kindly touched, or showed gentle affection, cowering at any hand coming towards them. They needed to learn that people could be kind. This we could provide, thus, Safehaven was born. Read more

Rescue dogs just need a chance. That’s what the folks at Chance’s Haven dog rescue believe, making it their mission to rescue and “educate the public on the needs of these animals, until no one is left without a home and a loving family.” In and around their neighborhood of Gainesville, Texas, Chance’s Haven started with one beautiful dog named—you guessed it—Chance and now reach many dogs every year. BestBullySticks recently spoke with the rescue’s director, Karen Holland.

When & Why did you start?
Chance’s was formed after I saw the face of Chance the Great Dane on Facebook. I ended up being his foster and adopter but his face launched our rescue before he ever arrived. I had always rescued but in an unofficial capacity – we are very rural and the number of abandoned animals in this county is staggering. Chance’s face made me realize I needed to do more. Read Chance the Great Danes full story.

What's different about your rescue?
We take in all breeds and all behavior of dogs. We do not shy away from the pit – or take in just those we think will be adopted quickly. A dog remains with us until he finds his family. Until that time – we are his family, even if it ends up being permanent. We also take in the seniors that most will not. We have a doggy retirement home of sorts and hope to one day have a large facility for the seniors. When they pass they are laid to rest in our memorial garden. Read more

haven |ˈhāvən|, noun: a place of safety or refuge : a haven for wildlife.

Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary believes that safety for their favorite giant breed dogs is a personal dedication that requires your full self. That’s why this rescue began--to give refuge and solace the full dog; their mind, body and soul and the people of Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary commit themselves likewise. Read more about this Indiana rescue in BestBullySticks Rescue Spotlight on Masthaven Mastiff Sanctuary. 

When & Why did you start?
We have worked in rescue in one way or another for a very long time. We officially created our own Non-Profit Mastiff Sanctuary in Jan 2011 when we were searching for a fawn Mastiff to adopt. I had subscribed to many rescues and shelter feeds and made many great contacts. But we were flooded daily by neglected and abused Mastiffs and realized there was no centrally located rescue in our area for these Gentle Giants and as most people in our area were looking for small dogs, the Giants waiting in shelters were very hard to place and there was no where for them to go. As we continued to get notifications, we soon began coving our entire Tri-State of Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois and now network, rescue & place Mastiffs from Indiana and all surrounding states.

What's different about your rescue?
Our goals remain the same as any other rescue out there. Its all about saving innocent lives and finding wonderful loving homes for these big kids. People tell me that what makes us different is our personal bond and attachment to each one. We love them and mend their spirit and we stay involved for the rest of their lives. We have an open door policy that encourages new families to reach out for questions and assistance and we have been known to babysit when the family has to be out of town. We keep our numbers small enough so that we can give personalized attention to each unique Mastiff and we do not kennel here, so each one truly feels at home. It is always the Mastiff that sets the pace. They tell us when they are ready to adopt a forever family and we do not rush that. We are also very conscious of their sensitivity to change so we personally transport each of our babies and stay in that area to ensure their transition to the new home. Our last adoption took us to Louisiana which under normal circumstances would be too far, however when a Mastiff says that’s his or her perfect home, we listen. They haven’ t led us wrong yet!  Read more