THIS WEEK AT VRC

Greetings Villalobos Village!

Phew, another week and another newsletter. I can’t believe we’re here again. I’m always reminded that the rescue life never stops. While many take the new year to step back and catch their breath, we don’t have that luxury. Working in rescue is 24/7, and that’s true at all our Villalobos locations, dogs keep coming in, or are abandoned, right at our doorstep…we can’t tell them we’re tired.

What I’m also realizing is running a network is also 24/7. From watching episodes to producing new ones, or launching apps (Roku soon!) there’s always something to review. We want to make sure we get it right for you, the supporters of VRC and viewers of Rabid Reality. Just last week we spent multiple days filming new episodes of Pit Bulls, Parolees & a Producer Season 4. It’s fun and tiring work, but we couldn’t be more excited about the new season.

Some may tell me to slow down or I don’t need to do it all, but I love it. I don’t really like having multiple full-time jobs, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. So 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

Selena is a senior pit bull here at the Assumption Parish location. She is about 10 1/2 years old. We have had her for several years and she is still patiently waiting for her forever home. Selena is dog friendly and calm due to her age. She is such a love bug and keeps her crate clean. She does just fine in a car and would love to snuggle up to you in bed. Selena likes to go out with her best friend Dapple. Dapple is about 8 1/2 and they could be adopted together to the same home but are also fine to go alone. They enjoy each other’s company but do not need to stay together.

All of Selena’s medical would be covered under our senior program.

The only Catfish you need to catch is right here! He’s around 10 years old which means he’s apart of our senior program! Once he’s adopted, we will continue to cover his medical bills for the rest of his life! He came in a bit rough around the edges, but he’s aged like a fine wine. He’s dog friendly, good on leash, and good in the car! We just love this big hunk and you will too!

To learn more about Selena, Dapple, Catfish 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!

Have you played MUTT yet? 

The goal of the game is to guess the top four breeds in a given dog’s DNA. Every day will feature a new dog and a new challenge. Be sure to play and challenge your dog-loving family and friends to see who knows their mutts best! Some of the dogs featured on MUTT will be Villalobos dogs available to be adopted by anyone playing the game (along with other rescues across the country). Click the image above, or here, to play!

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

BISCUIT NEEDS A SPONSOR

Biscuit is a Bluetick Coonhound who came to us right after Hurricane Florence in 2018. He and his 3 brothers were found swimming through the aftermath of a flooded area in South Carolina and were rescued by a local animal shelter.  One of the brothers got adopted out right away, while the other three remained in the shelter. Biscuit, Barney, and Baxter sat there until we were alerted to them. We then made the drive and brought the “Bluez Brothers” back to Louisiana.

Right away we could see that they were filled with anxiety and chalked it up to PTSD from the storm. So we took a chance and adopted out Barney into an amazing home, where he only lasted a matter of weeks before his anxious behavior took control. Meanwhile, Baxter and Biscuit, began to spiral out of control at another one of our locations. The Brothers needed to be reunited and come back into the care of Mama Tia.

If it’s Tia’s house where they are happy, then she’s just going to have to “suck it up.” While Biscuit and his brothers aren’t available to be adopted, they would love virtual adopters through VRC’s Sponsor Program.

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 virtually adopt Biscuit or any of our amazing dogs in this program.

WOLF DOG SPONSOR

Did you know you can sponsor wolf dogs from our Texas location?

Introducing Nymeria! A perfect example of how the environment and one’s surroundings can make for a dog’s behavior. Nymeria and her sister are purebred Huskies, yet both were raised around a pack of wolf-dog mixes. Wolves tend to be shy and untrusting of humans. When we first rescued them, they would hide and stay huddled together with their pack and did not want to come near us.

Huskies, on the other hand, are extremely people-friendly and outgoing dogs.  Both sisters picked up on the behavior of the wolf-dogs and are shy. They will not approach people unless they are familiar with them. 

While most of our dogs are here awaiting a home, some take longer than others to get a new home and they need a virtual friend while they are here. Sadly, others are not adoptable due to severe medical conditions and, in some cases, severe emotional distress and are not able to leave our facility. As much as we want all of our dogs to get a home of their own, it is simply and sadly, not possible. The sponsor dog program helps cover the needs of our dogs while also giving them their own “virtual family.”

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

TEXAS SANCTUARY

From Texas Manager Amy: It was nice to have the sun come back out after the last week here in Texas…we had a little snow and multiple days with temps staying well below freezing. The wolf dogs didn’t mind one bit though…and look how handsome Baloo aka Black looked with little snowflakes on his nose.

We also have a handful of adorable non-wolf dogs that reside here in Texas temporarily while they await forever homes and Pony is one of those cuties. They weren’t as enthused about the colder temps as the fluffy wolf dogs so they stayed snuggled up inside.

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: There has been a flurry of activity... and snow... out here in West Virginia, so hold on to your seats!

Hooligan, one of our prison program dogs, was officially adopted just in time for Christmas and is living a life of luxury with his Momma and an adorable fur sibling! You can travel side-by-side with him along his journey home in two different episodes of Life With The Underdogs: A Home for Hooligan and If At First….

Prison just isn't for everyone, so Trolli made it in for a couple weeks of obedience training, and is now back at our kennels where he is settling in.

Wawkalak (a Malamute) and Kopek (a golden retriever, Australian Cattle Dog and bully mix) are the newest participants in the prison program. Wawkalak already has an approved application and is pending a meet and greet for a potential adoption! Kopek, along with our other prison program kiddos, Crowley and Mack, are still available for adoption!

TJ, our longest participant in the program at almost A YEAR in prison, has a meet and greet at the beginning of February! Keep all of your fingers and paws crossed for a successful adoption!!

MARDI GRAS MERCH

Parades, Parties and Pits…what more do you need? 💜 💚 💛

Show up at the parades with this shirt on and see just how much action you get! 🎊 👀 Support our pups! 🐾 

VRC SPOTLIGHT

IMPORTANCE OF DNA TESTING

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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