THIS WEEK AT VRC

Greetings Villalobos Village!

Just another week in rescue…last week you may have seen we posted a “livestream” from one of our rescues on Facebook and X/Twitter. In it, you saw Earl rescuing this dog after being spotted under a bridge in New Orleans.

We weren't sure what was wrong, but managed to get him into a car and rushed him to the ER. The vet determined he had a mass on his spleen that had ruptured.

A microchip was also discovered, but we got no response from the owner. We opted to pay for his emergency care out of our pocket. Then, at 4:20 AM we got the call no one ever wants to receive...this gentle giant had gone into cardiac arrest and all attempts to revive him were not successful.

We named him "Bridge" after the location he was found and because a bridge is a strong structure that links up two separate worlds. Never did we imagine that his name would also become symbolic of his passing over another famous one...The Rainbow Bridge.

This is the part of rescue that sucks the life out of you, but the Village of VRC must go on.

Introducing our new virtual adopter program!

Do you want to help a VRC dog, but can't bring another pooch into your home? Well, here's your chance to "adopt" a VRC dog and help us bring him/her one step closer to getting a forever home of their own.

Unlike our Sponsor Program, the Virtual Adopter Program allows one person to “adopt” one of our adoptable dogs at VRC until that dog finds their forever home. Our Sponsor Dogs’ forever home is VRC, and we love all of our sponsors in that program, but this is a new way to “adopt” a dog and provide for them while they are under our care.

We have only just started this program and are excited to announce our first two virtual adoptions of Tomboy and Ruxpin by Kathryn and Denise! Thank you for your support!

To get more information, email us at: [email protected]

However you support us, thank you!

Keep scrolling 👇️ to see updates from our Texas and West Virginia locations this week. Together, we'll keep wagging those tails and changing lives.

Slobbers and Drools,

Tia Torres

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THE ADOPTABLES

Meet Tuffer. He’s one of our adoptable dog's living at our Texas location. Tuffer is probably a couple of years old and already knows basic commands. Tuffer is a sweetheart who loves every human he meets. He is not dog friendly and would need to be the only dog in the home.

Meet 2-year-old Bogo. He is a German Shorthaired Pointer. He is extremely smart and active. He will need a home that understands the breed and would do best in an active home. He is always down for a good hike and he likes water. Bogo is a dog who loves training and loves a good challenge. He is extremely affectionate with people and listens very well. Someone come scoop up this beautiful boy!

To learn more about Tuffer, Bogo and all of the adoptable dogs at Villalobos, click below.

After you play MUTT, let us know in the comments how many guesses it took you to guess today’s MUTT and let’s see if you can beat Tia!

If you want your dog featured on MUTT, send a photo of your dog and its DNA test results to [email protected] 

Have fun playing the game, share it with everyone you know and let’s help get dogs across America adopted!

VRC SPONSOR PROGRAM

ROUX STILL NEEDS A SPONSOR

Roux is one of our hardcore “swampies.” He literally came out of the swamp as a stray. Being a Catahoula Leopard Dog (the official state dog), he won us over the second we met him. He’s about 9 years-old and has become the official “dog tester” for VRC. He is SO dog friendly and tolerant that we use him to test incoming dogs to see how they’ll interact with another dog. He has a permanent place with us and helps many dogs move forward with getting homes of their own.

Want to adopt a dog, but for one reason or another, you’re unable? Rather than a typical adoption, we also offer virtual adoptions through our Sponsor Program. You can sponsor Roux or any of our amazing dogs in this program.

VRC dog sponsors get access to a private Facebook group moderated by Tia.

TEXAS SANCTUARY

From Texas Manager Amy: This week we had lots and lots of yearly vet visits. Nymeria and Kymeria caught the eyes of everyone in the clinic as they received a clean bill of health. All the Texas wolfers are thriving as are the handful of non-wolfers on property. As you saw in The Adoptable section, one of our non-wolfers, Tuffer, is one of our TX cuties waiting for his forever home.

To get more regular updates from Amy, feel free to follow the Villalobos Texas Facebook page.

WEST VIRGINIA WAYSTATION

From Prison Dog Program Manager Dani: It's been quiet and solemn up here on the mountain. Our world was shaken on February 9th when Lafayette crossed over the rainbow bridge in Orlando's arms. He was so extremely loved and has been horribly missed. The mountain is not the same without him and neither are we. While in rescue, Lafayette knew love, peace, safety, compassion, and was even able to live in a home environment here in West Virginia for the last year and a half of his life.

Thankfully, there is also some exciting news! Lizzy is officially going in to assist with the prison program and plans to make a monthly visit. The trainers are extremely happy to have Lizzy’s help (and so are we)! We currently have two spots available in the program, and are expecting arrivals within a couple weeks! I will make sure to keep everyone posted on who won the golden ticket and will get to be our next participants in the prison program!

Mr. Mactavish is baaaaaack. The little scruffy senior pranced his way into our hearts last year and was adopted in no time. Unfortunately, although he was loved, his adoption did not quite work out, and he came for a month long stay January 25th, 2024, with myself and the family. On Thursday, February 22nd he was picked up by our rescue transporter, Debbie. Although it's always hard to see a foster kiddo go, he will be heading back to Louisiana where he will have his furever home with the city manager Jenna, who missed him every second he was away. Happy tails Mr. Mactavish, you handsome fella.

KAJUN KITTIES

From Kitty Kween Jenny: We sent 14 adults and 1 nine-month-old kitten to our friends at the Ten Lives Club in Buffalo, NY yesterday. Of those 15 cats, these 8 hold a special place in our hearts. They came to us two years ago from two "hoarding" type situations. We can’t wait to see them finally find their forever homes.

If you’re interested in adopting a Kajun Kitty directly from Villalobos, please email [email protected]

VRC SPOTLIGHT

Dog Tales Rescue & Sanctuary

We want to introduce you to our friends up North, Dog Tales Rescue and Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada. Dog Tales was founded in 2014 by an animal-loving husband and wife team - Rob and Danielle. Both had been involved in rescue for years before finally deciding that the best way to help animals in need was to open a rescue of their own.

The upcoming Life With The Underdogs (premiering on 2/24) showcases a special rescue story and VRC’s partnership with Dog Tales. We always say "it takes a village" and in this case it can't be more true. Our rescue partners are critical to the on-going success of VRC and getting the dogs we all love so much into forever homes. Whether it's a transport, a helping hand or even connecting an adopter we're thankful for all of them.

Every so often we are going to spotlight an individual, organization or special dog story that caught our attention. If you have an idea for a future VRC Spotlight, email us at [email protected] 📧 

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