WHAT WE DO
- Rescue dogs of good temperament and find them new homes
- Cooperate and assist with other rescues, shelters and animal control
- Educate the public about the 'good' ways to obtain a companion animal
- Assist with common questions and referrals
Rudy's Rescue will also assist and hopefully contribute to the growing interconnection between rescue groups, shelters and others working with homeless animals. We will publish contact information for rescues and shelters in our area.
We strive to convince the public to consider adoption first. If that is not possible, we encourage the public to obtain a puppy or older dog from a responsible/reputable breeder. We work with the public to stress the importance of spay/neuter programs and do not allow any pets to leave our rescue without first being spayed/neutered.
We have plans to builds a home where our adopted animals can return for a short vacation, grooming or hike on the trails. Currently, we work out of our own homes. Rudys Rescue is a New York state not for profit corporation.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Growing up my favorite dog was an English Springer Spaniel named Debbie. So, off I went to the local pound to find myself something as close to Debbie as I could. I walked the dark rows looking into the eyes of each dog that begged to be saved. At the end of the row was a cute pup of twelve weeks old. She was a Border Collie. I signed the papers and headed home.
We arrived home and she needed a name. All of a sudden it came to me, she would be named Jessica! Jessica had always been my favorite name and I was going to name my first daughter Jessica. For all intents and purposes, she was my first child.
Once again, I found myself alone with no paws to love. However, I did still have my parrot named Rudy. He would call for Jessica every time the door would open. I tried to explain to him that Jessica would not return. I waited a couple of months and found myself searching the internet for another dog. The kind of dog didn't matter. I just needed a dog to fill that void I now had in my heart. Walks were no longer fun; the house was empty. One thing that only a dog owner can understand is, I had to pick up my own food when I dropped it on the floor!
I came across a small breed German Shepherd dog and made an appointment to see it. It was much too small for me. They suggested that maybe I could foster dogs until I found the right dog for me. What a great idea! I began to foster dogs and on the third foster, the nightmare began. She was so sick, had diarrhea for three months and made messes in her crate for six months. All of this for a dog that was around one year old!
I introduced her to many families that wanted to adopt her. When they tried to walk her she would cry and pull back towards me. Of course, because she was not interested in them, they were not interested in her. All she wanted was to be with me. Eventually, she won me over. I adopted her and today she is my number one girl; her name is Sierra.
After she was trained, I found myself wanting another dog for Sierra to play with. This time it was going to be a Labrador, a yellow one to be exact. We started our search looking for rescues as we did not want to contribute to the already overpopulated dog world by getting a dog from a breeder.
Over and over I was told that the rescues didn't adopt to people in Upstate NY, and they didn't know of any rescue nearby. Why? I thought. With so many Labs in local shelters waiting for homes, why couldn't I find a rescue that was close to Rochester?
I searched the pounds high and low and finally I found him! He was a beautiful, big boy who was around 2 years old. It said his family had given him up due to him biting the teenager. Well, I thought, I don't have any kids, so why not? I spent some time with him in the visiting room and he was perfect in all ways. The attendant came back and told me there was a mistake; this dog could not be adopted due to his 'bite' history.
I assured them that in the forty five minutes I had spent with the dog, he was in no way dangerous. Plus, I had been working with a local German Shepherd rescue so I was familiar with dogs that might be deemed 'dangerous'. They told me no; this dog could only be released to a Lab rescue. But there aren't any I cried! The closest one is in Long Island.
They sent me home empty handed and told me the dog would be destroyed. That was the day I vowed to start a rescue of my own. This rescue would be dedicated to the yellow lab that stole my heart if only for a short time. I decided that rather than get another dog of my own, I would start this rescue and foster dogs that needed a place to go.
That is how Rudy's Rescue came to be. This rescue is dedicated to Jessica, my long time friend who went to the bridge. I like to believe she is playing along side the yellow boy who went to the bridge for no real reason.
Last, but not least, this rescue is dedicated to my parrot Rudy. He puts up with all the strange dogs in and out of the house. However, because of all the dogs he has learned a great dog vocabulary such as 'Good dog!' 'Good Boy!' 'It's okay.' 'Get in your cage.' 'Come here!' 'No bark!' and more!
Won't you please find room in your heart to foster or adopt a Lab in need?
Rudy's Rescue and Resource Services, Inc.
PO Box 246
Pittsford, NY 14534