Resilient Dog Rescue

Resilient Dog Rescue (SacRDR) was conceived when 5 like-minded folks working together at a rescue as volunteers decided to start their own rescue. So, at the end of 2018 Resilient Dog Rescue became a reality. We are a foster based all breed rescue. We are mainly a dog rescue, but we do take in the occasional cat or litter of kittens. 

We focus on euthanasia listed dogs and do not go for easy dogs only. We take what is left and hope for the best. We have a solid base of trainers and boarding facilities to help us turn these diamonds in the rough into thriving loving pets. Most of these dogs just need patience, consistency, boundaries and structure. Their undesirable traits are spawned from fear and trauma. Sometimes these dogs are not safe to put into any foster home and then we do utilize boarding for these dogs with a trainer usually and we work to get them to a place where they can be placed safely into foster homes. It sometimes takes years. But we don't give up. 

We play a very critical role at the Stanislaus Animal Shelter in Modesto, CA. We are the primary rescue that the Rescue Support Team Volunteers, a group that helps dogs leave that shelter alive, work under. This shelter has on average 20 dogs a week on their euthanasia list. The volunteer group is responsible for showcasing the majority of the animals on the list, the week prior to their due dates. We take pictures, videos and get to know the dogs. We also do the majority of the dog-to-dog introductions. This is critical to get the dogs adopted, fostered or rescued. We also schedule trainers to help assess the harder dogs. The group runs pages on all the main social media platforms. The work is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. We lose very few dogs. But when we do it hurts to the bone. 

We believe in love, understanding and compassion for all living things. This means we help people in the community when we can. We do take owner surrenders on occasion, but our first goal is helping people keep their pets. We recommend resources, we supply food, we have trainers we can refer if a dog is behavioral. We have paid vet bills as well.  Sometimes people just feel overwhelmed and alone and don't know what to do. They need someone to listen and offer options and they end up working it out and being able to keep their pet. We like to think we are different in that regard; we are a rescue that likes people as much as we like dogs. We are often disappointed and frustrated by people. But tolerance and understanding are the pillars of our belief system. We do not tolerate abuse or neglect of any type, let's be clear, but if someone is reaching out for help, we don't bite that hand. We do what we kind to make sure that dog stays in that home if at all possible. If it is not possible, we help them work through the shelter systems for the best outcome for the dog. We can't take every dog someone thinks they have to give up on so we do what we can to help and always encourage people not to give up on their pets. Keeping the dog out of the shelter if at all possible is the first step. 

In 2024 we would love to find a way to help the community with free spay and neuter. We believe that this is the true answer. The vet shortage is real, and the cost is ridiculous, and this has to change. We will be working towards that program goal this year. We also need a more robust foster base. So, we have some work ahead of us. A large portion of donations received this year will go towards these goals. 

We love what we do. When you see a broken dog blossoming in front of your eyes, learning to trust again, there is nothing better. Except maybe placing that dog in a loving forever home and getting updates up until that dog passes away, knowing you did the right thing, knowing that you can't save all of them, but you saved that one and it mattered to that dog and the family that adopted him. Priceless.