Ruff Love Foster Care And Dog Rescue

We adopted a 4 month old puppy from Ruff Love. A terrier mix. We knew nothing about the breed and trusted Sue and Marcia, the managers, to guide us in this choice. They knew from Day 1 that we had 3 senior cats. We kept the puppy until he was a year old. Did everything possible to give him outlets for exercise and socialization. Sent him to doggy daycare several times weekly. We even bought HIM a puppy so he'd have a buddy. It never worked. The dog bit the tail off the puppy and never stopped attacking our senior cats. So, by contract we had to return him to Ruff Love. We'd spent $350 to adopt him, plus all of the other associated expenses, which of course we couldn't recoup. Returning him was a gut wrenching choice we made after deep consideration and many tears. For the next 14 months, we went weekly to estate sales and bought bedding and linens, which we donated to Ruff Love monthly. We even went to the expense of changing our wills to include the organization because we believed in them so deeply. I volunteered my time as a legal and marketing professional, an event helper. All of which were rejected. When they finally had a dog that we wanted very much to adopt, the Adoption Coordinator verbally assaulted me on the phone, screaming, You'll Never Get a Dog From Ruff Love!! Just because you've been donating doesn't mean anything!! The manager was fully aware of this and did absolutely nothing. So, if you want a great dog, ignore the management and love the animals.

Ruff Love Rescue is an amazing rescue who puts the dog's best interest at heart. They have saved so many lives it just amazing. I adopted my Lady Bug from them several years ago. I will adopt from them again.

I lost my dog who was 15 yrs. old. I felt so l empty. He was gentle, fun, energetic and a great companion. I am not somebody who needs years to grieve, but my dog was "sooo" special. I began looking through the RLR adoptable animal photos. Suddenly I spotted him.......my forever friend. I did need to submit 2 applications, but after about 5 weeks, my new friend was brought for a home visit. It was love at first site for both of us. He was now HOME! I found RLR easy to communicate with. Once I met the foster mom of my dog that she called "Ross", I knew in my heart she had loved and cared for him for almost a year as if she would have him always. These people put their hearts into these wonderful, often plain old abandoned animals. They give them super care. If you have ever owned animals and given them the proper, not the minimum care, you would understand the adoption fee schedule. If you don't, you do not need to adopt ANY animal. Proper care inclusive of medical, daily food, upkeep, etc. IS NOT cheap when done correctly. Think about the fact that this group is dedicated to keeping these animals for their lifetime if necessary. No shelter, pound, etc. that I know of does this. My dog was clean, happy, well fed, pest free and lovable. He was LOVED by this group as they attempted to find him an appropriate home. Not all homes are appropriate even if you have a good track record. The RLR group is attempting to place these animals for one LAST time. It takes time, energy and money. The people who foster in this group have lives inclusive of family, jobs, hobbies, church, etc., but they make that special time to love the unwanted. Did you know if anything happens at any time in an animals life once you have adopted them, or your life for that matter, this group will take them back without hesitation and start the process all over again? Remember, this is a matter of a living creatures life. Be patient, have faith and if it is meant to be, you will get your forever pet from one of the best groups I have ever dealt with. (Would a group adopting out human babies take shortcuts? I don't think so.) Why should living, breathing, lovable animals be any different? Food for thought. Thanks!

I sure hope they are better with animals than they are people... Totally inconsiderate!

We have been involved with fostering and rescue for many years. After submitting 2 applications (first was lost?) and many E-mails with close to no communication from Ruff Love Rescue we have just given up. We have never had a more frustrating experience with Ruff Love than any of the groups we have ever contacted, nor been turned down for any reason. We have only had rescue dogs and cats and provide an excellent "forever" home to each one. We wish them luck in the future but have serious concerns about the way they operate.

These people bust their butts taking care of animals that would've been euthanized. Beautiful, heal able, love able , animals. Great great folks, whose efforts are worthy of any amount you can spare, or any time you can share

I am not a volunteer for Ruff Love but have been a volunteer in rescue for over ten years. To the people who think that the application process is hard: rescue is all about finding a loving, responsible and forever home for dogs. The reason we have to rescue (trust me, we long for the day we don't have to) is because a lot of people don't spay and neuter, they don't commit to a dog for his or her lifetime and view dogs as generally disposable for a multitude of crazy reasons. Dogs are supposed to be family members for life. So the tens of thousands of people who volunteer in rescue across this country want to make absolutely sure this never happens to a sweet dog again who we save. I don't know why this is hard for people to understand. Rescue is not taking in a dog only to put that dog in the same or worse situation. That is why people who want to keep a dog outside or haven't been responsible enough to spay/neuter their own animals are not the best adopters. Dogs are lovers. Leaving a dog outside without his or her family is nothing short of abuse to me, not to mention the weather elements. Terrible!

Someone mentioned that Davidson county charges X amount of money, while rescue charges upwards of $200. Rescues are not funded by counties; rescues are just a bunch of incredibly kind-hearted volunteers who work literally to the point of blood, sweat and tears, especially tears. So many tears. County shelters kill animals, who for example, have broken a leg. Rescues pay out of pocket for that surgery because we care and love so much. Do you see county shelters doing that? So a rescue's average cost to care properly (not killing) a dog is higher. Instead of complaining, understand that and help rescues save more animals and by providing warm, safe, loving family-type forever homes. We are the ones that save wonderful, loving dogs slated to be killed by counties for fixable issues that we pay veterinarians so that DOGS CAN LIVE. Please support us in this very emotionally difficult, unpaid job...I promise you that your heart will grow two sizes.

Thanks for listening.

This is in regards to Calebharward's post about Ruff Love Rescue:

To all who read this.... On the RLR website, it specifically says when you click on ADOPTION APPLICATION: "Please note: If you have other dogs in the home, they must be spayed/neutered, UTD on all vaccines, and on heartworm preventative. If you have cats in the home, they must be spayed/neutered and UTD on rabies. There are some exceptions, so please let us know and we will discuss." How do I know this? Because 1) I just copied and pasted it from the website and 2) because I created the adoption application and put it on there. It is in bright red font; easy for anyone to read. Also, I coordinate applications and went back and read Caleb Harward's application and on it he marked that his dog Cody WAS altered. So therefore, yes Caleb, you lied on your application. RLR is an advocate for spaying and neutering and will only adopt if all pets in a home are spayed or neutered. The only time we will adopt to a home when the pet is unaltered is if there is a medical reason for them not being altered.

I have been a volunteer for RLR for over 3 years and I have been processing applications for over a year now. We have guidelines for who can adopt from us because we only want to ensure these dogs go to go good homes; especially since many came from horrible situations. I can promise you that the adoption fee to help "off set" the cost of vetting comes no where close to how much is spent on each dog that comes into the rescue. There is absolutely no profit made off the adoption fee. Every dog that is adopted is FULLY vetted, micro-chipped, rabies, is altered, and is on heartworm prevention.

In reply to a previous post, a few weeks ago my daughter considered adopting from RLR.
However when she read that one of the conditions was that adopted dogs should be kept indoors, she became less interested. That seemed an unusual condition. Then when she read that a minimum 200 dollars adoption fee was required to " help offset our expenses" she became even less interested. Upon further reading about the numerous fund raisers and solicitations for donations, she wondered why such a high fee was needed, since one would think some of the donations from the public ( $292,290.00 was donated in 2014 according to
RLR's 990 tax form) would offset their expenses. Upon further research she discovered that
Davidson County Animal Shelter's adoption fee was $85.00 which includes spaying, neutering, shots, micro chip. She read about another rescue in Davidson County called Ginger's Fund which offers dog adoptions. Ginger's Fund is also non profit. To find out more about non profits in NC go to NC Secretary of State Charitable Division. Tax documents are available for public scrutiny. Guide Star is another website that reports on non profit organizations.

I have known about Ruff Love rescue for more than 10 years and I am continually amazed and impressed by Sue Rogers and her volunteers. The depth of compassion exhibited time and time again is hard to believe.
To the people who wrote a negative review, I think you took the easy way out. You should come to an event, meet the dogs, meet Sue and all the volunteers who give a second chance to animals stuck in a situation that humans created.
I did and it was life changing.

September 30th 2015
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a complete review of my correspondence and dealings with Ruff Love Rescue Group.

On September 13th 2015 I Caleb Harward submitted an adoption application with RLR. The previous Saturday I had met the group at a local pet supply store. Once my application was submitted I was excited to find that I have been “Approved” and moved forward with doing a meet a great as requested by the RLR executive. We were to meet Friday the 18th and when we did and had the meet and greet I was extremely excited to move forward with the adoption papers. As I did not have the adoption fee and wanted to take the weekend to make sure this was the right decision I asked the adoption coordinator and executive Sue Rogers if I could have the weekend to think over the decision and make my arrangements to pay for the adoption fee.

On September 18th 2015 at 11:26 PM I got an email with some devastating news, my adoption application had been changed from approved to declined, and the email said the following, “After meeting you today, Sue asked me to re-call your vet reference. We have volunteers who handle these phone calls and an error was made. According to your vet, Cody isn’t unaltered and we do not adopt out any dogs to homes with unaltered dogs. Cody is our 6 year old beagle in the home currently. I took the time to email back saying that I was basically uninformed of this ruling that all dogs in the home must me neutered. After much email correspondence the coordinator that I was speaking with started becoming rude and belligerent in her emails. She took the time to point out a so called policy that was supposedly on their webpage that states the following: “If you have other dogs in the home they must be spayed/neutered”. This when I was doing my research on the rescue group was not on their webpage. The initial correspondence between the coordinator and I also stated that I had filled out my application stating that Cody was fixed. When I requested my application what was sent back was what could’ve been a copy and paste of my answers.
So clearly we have the following issues
- They called my vet who would’ve know Cody wasn’t fixed.
- They had a so called policy that wasn’t posted.
- They changed my application from approved to deny in a split second.
- They sent me a so called application that they could’ve altered or changed.
- They called me a liar when she states in her email “You also signed the application stating that he (Cody) is altered.
In conclusion, I’m not happy with these results, there grossly unprofessional, the adoption group didn’t have their policy posted and it’s admissible to say that their conclusion is unfair and extremely wrong.

I am writing to find a solution to this issues as looking at it from the following stand point a nonprofit organization that is looking to put abused lost or rescued animals into good loving homes is acting with much malice and false discretion.

I have never seen a more dedicated group than the folks with Ruff Love Rescue. Sue Rogers is a superhero to the animals that are often forgotten; the sick, the injured, the old. This rescue stands out from others in that it doesn't only take on puppies and desirable breeds. The dogs within this group have won the lottery and their entire life will be turned around once they are mended, healed, and patched up. They are treated medically and evaluated by a trainer in order to find the best home possible. Without people like the folks at Ruff Love Rescue, the world would be a very cold place.

I have a dog I adopted from Ruff Love Rescue many years ago and he is the best dog. I know he was saved from being put to sleep at the shelter. Thank you for saving him and all the others. Recently I started volunteering with them because I believe they have the best interest of the dogs as the center of all their decisions.

Rescue focuses on dogs that are in the most need, on euthanasia list, injured, old, or would otherwise be overlooked. There Donations completely go to the dogs, and the medical costs.

This is a GREAT rescue. I have attended several of their events and you can tell the animals are well taken care of and all their needs are met. You can see they love each and every dog. I would highly recommend this rescue for those looking to adopt their next fur baby.

Ruff Love Rescue saved my dog from a kill shelter and I am so thankful. They put animals first and treat and love every animal as if it were their own. This is an incredible organization run by dedicated volunteers.

Ruff Love is an amazing nonprofit that puts it's dogs welfare first. I adopted my Lady Bug from Ruff Love and would recommend them to anyone!

If it would be possible to give less than one star I would.

This organization has no regard or respect for their neighbors. Dogs bark constantly and you can not enjoy a cook out with your family. The dogs often run loose and I and another neighbor have noticed growling and aggressive behavior when trying to get the dogs to go home.

Also the compound is an eyesore in an otherwise nice neighborhood.

This may be a noble organization but it is certainly in the wrong place and they have sooooooo many dogs they cannot possible give anything but Rough Love being kept in fences and cages.

I had a sheriff stop and ask directions while I was walking and when I asked why he said he had a warrant for one of the owners.

There is also a for profit dog training outfit that visits several time a day and has classes at this neighborhood site.

Hi ,my name is Bernice and I for one am very upset with Ruff Love Rescue for blantley posting a picture of my dog without my consent and posting false information,I have never even spoke to anyone there. l have always taken great care of Sapphire !My neighbors posted remarks to the false info up declaring that the info was wrong..they removed it along with the one I responded with declaring them to remove their lies about me and Sapphire.They also removed the post by the person whom I entrusted to take care of her for me with intentions to make her a home with his other huskies /He stated he could tell someone 'Had their wires crossed with no doubt' and even said so on another page with Sapphires name spelled wrong,he gave me the link .I have called Sue Rogers [number/ all three ],no return calls..,I emailed them ,Nothing!the only response was posted { under my statement .then deleted } was if I had not made the statement no one have known me and that I could take it down,really why would I ?.I am speaking the truth...,next day they deleted it and blocked me from posting,,yet the lies and two ,not one photos are up along with their lies ,I had to move and could not take Sapphire with me ,It was hard enough dealing with the hurt without discovering a group lying and portraying me as an horrid pet owner ..Happy hills was going to take her ,until I decided to give her to the man my neighbor found who had other huskies ..I have spoke to several about this and some say sue .others say let it go ,but i refuse to let those lies stand ,Sapphire was well taken care of spayed ,all shots ,kennel shots fleas meds/ negative when tested for heartworms and three year booster and purchased as an purebred with akc papers as puppy by me when she was a puppy..She was not 'chained and left outside ,She had a cable in my fenced in yard that she ran on,She was paper trained as pup ,but she loved slept on inside on my back porch ,laundry room,She could sleep on my deck if she choose to,it was up to her every night.Ialso have an italian minature greyhound as well and they loved to race each other ,and play.She was used to my grandaughters and daughters whom are 9 and 6 now,and my daughter ,is 15..If Ruff Love had any integrity they would have got facts not made up stuff to get a dog adopted ,futhermore ,I never knew they were even involved in any way my until the man whom I gave Sapphire to friended me on Facebook and I saw the Ruff Love posts .I was in shock and I expressd my thought and Ruff Love removed those statements .I talked with a friend who works at a news station locally and I may go on the news about it soon...all I really want is the lies and my Sapphires picture taken down, Not much to ask ,but I may have to hire a lawyer with the way its going at the moment,and really what s the point whenever they know they have portrayed someone badly and know they have lied and will not remove the mess,No thankyou I would never give my donations to this group ,I have documents to as well as neighbor for six years where I lived who know this was wrong ..I had to move because of house was getting old ,mold was becoming an issue along with other things ,such as door not closing...and sometimes its hard to find a home where you can bring your pets .IMy little dog was allowed .but Sapphire wasnt,I had worked over two months trying to find a home for her,Several adoption places called back,Ruff Love was not one of them,My neighbors daughter was friends with a young lady whose mother knows someone at Ruff Love and ,my neighbor had sent her a picture of Sapphire and thats how the contacts ran..strange ,if they had just called me instead of posting lies this would not be an issue consuming my time and thought ,not to mention the undue stress created by their actions on me at this difficult time .I live at home .I worked 33 years and no longer can work due to lung/heart conditions,Sapphire was a large part of my daily life and I miss her and hate that I had to part with her,,,last winter I remember my daughter and I and Sapphire on our deck watching a meteor shower from our deck all cuddled in quilts to keep us warm,and when it would snow we where out there despite my condition,enjoying the beauty of falling snow together...so Shame on Ruff Love for their unwillingness to make this right,,,shame on them. for their non professional antics...all for your donation.I would think,well they did not rescue my dog,my neighbor tried to help and they have caused alot of hurt and undue stress for me and my family..and mu neighbors as well.