Straight Outta Swampton- OFFICIALLY MOVED

Issue #33

FUTURE VOLUNTEERING INFORMATION

Don’t worry, volunteering will be back soon—BUT this time at our stunning property in Assumption Parish, Louisiana! Smack dab in the heart of the swamps, it’s too beautiful not to share. And trust us, our attention-hungry dogs can’t wait to meet you! We just wrapped up our big move and need a little time to settle in and find our groove. But once we’re ready, we’ll be opening our doors to volunteers again. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our social media for updates—we can’t wait to welcome you!

#SwampLife #VolunteeringComingSoon #RescuePups #StayTuned

REMINDER FOR ALL OF OUR DONATIONS, PACKAGES ETC

We are NO LONGER receiving mail at our old Claiborne or Galvez addresses in New Orleans. All packages, donations and mail can be shipped directly to us at:

 VRC (Villalobos Rescue Center)

  5541 Hwy 1, Napoleonville, LA 70390

🚨 We Need Your Help! 🚨
Two Dogs in Need of Medical Care Donations

Both of these sweet pups deserve a second chance, and we are doing everything we can to help them heal. But we can’t do it alone!

💙 If you can donate anything toward their medical bills, it would mean the world to us and to them. Every little bit adds up and makes a huge difference.

Thank you for always being there for the dogs who need it most!

#RescueDogs #VillalobosRescue #HelpThemHeal

🐾 Coddle’s Fight for Life – She Needs Your Help! 🐾 A couple of weeks ago, little Coddle was attacked by an animal and rushed to our vet for emergency life-saving surgery. It was touch and go, but this little fighter pulled through! She’s been recovering at the vet ever since—which also means a hefty bill for her care. This week, Coddle started laser treatments to help with her healing, and we have to say—she’s rocking her stylish goggles like a pro! 😎 We are so grateful she’s on the road to recovery, but we could really use your help covering her medical costs. If you’re able to donate anything, no amount is too small, and we would be forever grateful!

💙 Reno’s Road to Recovery! 💙 A few months ago, Reno came to us with a severely fractured leg and pelvis, needing urgent medical care. He underwent his first surgery and recovered beautifully! Unfortunately, his second leg was too damaged, and the best course of action was amputation—but Reno is already feeling so much better! Once he’s fully healed, he’ll begin heartworm treatment, and after that, he’ll be ready to find his forever home! Despite everything he’s been through, Reno’s spirit remains strong, and we can’t wait to see him start his next chapter. Stay tuned for updates on this incredible fighter, and if you’d like to support Reno’s journey, donations toward his ongoing medical care are always appreciated!

HAPPY TAILS:

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PRISON DOG ADOPTION!

We are pleased to announce that "Bonkers" formerly a VRC dog but who became a part of our Underdogs Prison Dogs Program, got adopted last week! (she's the little tri-colored dog)

Bonkers and her new family will now live on a farm in Pennsylvania, where she will have tons of room to run around and go "bonkers."

And of course we have to thank her inmate trainers for the amazing job they did on this former swamp dog.

If you are a prison and would be interested in us starting a prison dog training program at your facility, please email us at:

🚛🐾 12 Dogs Hit the Road to New Beginnings! 🐾🚛

🚛🐾 Villalobos Rescue Dogs in the Midwest! 🐾🚛

Another successful transport is in the books! 🎉 

Thanks to our amazing Midwest transport partners, more of our rescue dogs are on their way to finding forever homes.

We’re thrilled to now be a partner with Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue in Wisconsin!

🚛🐾 A Midwest Trip Wouldn’t Be Complete Without Pet Pack Rescue! 🐾🚛

We couldn’t make a trip to the Midwest without stopping by our amazing friends at Pet Pack Rescue in Peoria, IL! They welcomed 5 of our rescue dogs, giving them a chance at the loving homes they deserve.

We are so grateful for their partnership and dedication to helping our pups find their happily ever afters! 💙🐶

Safe travels to our furry friends—new adventures and loving families await! 💙🐶

#VillalobosRescue #RescueOnTheRoad #MidwestBound #AdoptDontShop

With consolidating our city location to our Assumption Parish one, Our "Bayou Crab" location is a small satellite facility tucked away in the serenity of the swamp and surrounded by woods and nature.

We have full-time employment available, and if you are interested, email us at: [email protected]

🎭💜💛💚 New Mardi Gras Merch is Here! 💚💛💜🎭

It’s that time of year—Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and so is our brand-new merch! 🎉✨

But before we go all out with fresh designs, we need to clear out our old styles to make room for even more creative ideas! Now’s your chance to grab some of our past favorites before they’re gone for good.

🛍️ Shop now & support the rescue: https://vrcstore.dog/

Every purchase helps us continue our mission to save and care for our rescue dogs. Thank you for your support! 💜🐾

#MardiGrasMerch #VillalobosRescue #SupportRescueDogs #ShopForACause

let the good times roll!

💜💚💛

Amazing Candles for a Great Cause! 🕯️🐾

We are so excited to share these incredible, handcrafted candles made by one of our very own adopters—dedicated to Villalobos Rescue Center! Not only do they smell absolutely AMAZING, but 100% of the proceeds go right back to helping our rescue dogs.

Introducing Falcor: The Guiding Spirit of Light for Hospice Seniors. Immerse yourself in the enchanting blend of ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, and lavender. By choosing this scent, you are making a direct impact on the lives of the beloved seniors at Villalobos Rescue Center. Experience a fragrance that not only evokes love, attraction, purification, and peace but also embodies the spirit of compassion and kindness. Alchemy Noir – where the merging of light and darkness creates a brighter tomorrow. This candle was created in loving memory of one of our rescue legacies, Falcor.

Every purchase supports our mission and helps us continue to save lives. Grab yours today and fill your home with warmth while making a difference!

Thank you for your support! ❤️🐶 #VillalobosRescue #RescueCandles #AdoptDontShop

𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙞 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙨

We’re teaming up again with Pittie Clothing Company for the second year in a row!

They dropped some amazing Mardi Gras & Louisiana-inspired prints, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to share them with you!

$10 from every item sold will go directly to the Villalobos Rescue Center pups!

Last year, they donated an incredible $2,000 to our rescue, all thanks to your support. Every single dollar goes straight back to helping the dogs.

Line-up:

Purple Paw-di Gras – Muscle Tees (M-XXL) SOLD OUT!

Purple Paw-di Gras Human Pants (XS-XL)

Green Paw-di Gras – Muscle Tees (M-XXL)

Barkin’ Bayou (NEW gray print) – Muscle Tees (M-XXL) SOLD OUT!

Shop the collection today:

Slobbers and Drools,

Tia Torres

THE ADOPTABLES

Hicks is about 4 years old. He is extremely sensitive and loves to be the center of attention. He love nothing more than to play with a ball. Tennis ball, Jolley ball…He will entertain himself for HOURS! In his down time he loves to snack on a peanut butter frozen kong, before snuggling into the fluffiest blankets he can find. He prefers to be the only pet in the home.

🚨 Meet Ava G. – Ready for Her Second Chance! 🚨This beautiful, high-energy girl was found tied to our dumpster along with another dog after their owner sadly passed away. With no place to go, they were left behind—but now, Ava is looking for a forever home where she can truly thrive! Ava G. is a fun-loving, active pup who needs a home where she can burn off her energy. She adores getting dressed up and is always ready for an adventure! Because of her high energy, she’d do best in a home with no other animals and with older kids or adults—she’s a lot of dog and might accidentally knock over little ones. If you’re looking for a loyal, playful, and spirited companion, Ava G. might just be your perfect match!

 Adoptable Senior Spotlight

All dogs featured in this section are apart of our Senior Dog Program which means:

all dogs adoption fees are covered and all of their medical care is covered for life.

🐾 Meet Breakfast – The Happiest 10-Year-Old Pittie! 🐾 Breakfast may be 10 years old, but she’s full of life and always ready for an adventure! This sweet pittie is constantly happy, wiggling with joy, and confident in everything she does. Whether it’s a walk, a splash in the water, or a car ride—Breakfast is on board for anything! 🚗💦 She’s energetic and playful, especially when it comes to playing fetch, but don’t worry, she knows how to wind down and relax when it’s time. She’s also learned some basic commands and will happily come when called! Breakfast is the perfect mix of fun and loving, and she’s ready to bring her positive energy into a forever home!

🐾 Meet Cinnamon – Our Spunky Senior Girl! 🐾 This sweet 12-year-old gal may be a senior, but she doesn’t know it! Cinnamon is a spunky hound mix who found her way to us a couple of years ago after her owner sadly passed away on Christmas Eve. Despite the hardship, she’s remained a joyful, loving companion. Cinnamon prefers to be the only pet in the house and loves nothing more than snuggling on the couch and getting endless belly rubs until she falls asleep. 💤 If you’re looking for a loving, mellow gal with a whole lot of personality, Cinnamon might be your perfect match. She’s ready to find a forever home where she can be your one and only!

Interested in other adoptable dogs at Villalobos? Click below!

Our dedicated team is now working hard to capture new photos, write bios, and upload every dog to the website so they have the best chance at finding their perfect home. Keep checking back at our website:

 New dogs are being added every day!

Follow our social media for featured pups!

Let’s find them their forever homes!

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.

𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐋! Laissez les bons temps rouler because Pawdi Gras Bingo is here! Our Valentine Bingo was a 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐄 success—we found 15 dogs their virtual adopters! 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅! But...a few of our furry friends who were on the card didn’t get a Valentine, so we’re giving them their own parade!

How to Join the Pawdi Gras Fun:

Choose a VRC dog to virtually adopt

Email Katie at [email protected]

Send a $300 donation to our PayPal (this covers your VA adoption fee for when they get adopted!)

Send your VA pup care packages & extra love

You will then recieve an invite to the exclusive VRC virtual adoption group page where you will get inside information, pictures and updates and much more!

Go to the website https://www.vrcpitbull.com/dogs/ and pick out a dog who isn’t already virtually adopted and then email us for more information. [email protected]

VRC SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM

At Villalobos Rescue Center, we are dedicated to provide lifelong care and love to dogs and cats that face significant medical or behavioral challenges , making them unlikely candidates for adoption. Our Sponsorship Program offers a meaningful way for our supporters to contribute to the well-being of these “lifers” through monthly donations. While becoming a sponsor, you help us with the essential care, as well as medical costs.

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

This week we spotlight Duckie , Calabaza and Atkins! Let’s get to know them!

 🐾 Who is Calabaza? 🐾

When Calabaza wandered into a New Orleans mechanic shop, she was barely clinging to life—emaciated, weak, and defensive. Her body told the story of severe neglect, and her spirit was guarded. But thanks to the kindness of the shop’s receptionists, who patiently earned her trust and brought her to us at Villalobos, Calabaza was given a chance to heal. Her journey hasn’t been easy. She arrived coughing, struggling to stand, and nursing an injured leg and hip. A vet visit confirmed she was heartworm positive, but with treatment and care, her body has slowly recovered. But healing goes beyond the physical. While Calabaza has learned to trust a small handful of VRC staff, she still carries deep emotional scars. She has a strong dislike of hoses and is wary of men, leading us to believe her past holds painful memories we may never fully understand. Despite her struggles, she has shown resilience and a capacity for love—on her terms, in her time. She’s not an easy dog, but she is a special one. Calabaza’s home may be with us at VRC where she can continue to heal, trust, and simply be loved for who she is, but we hope that our supporters will enjoy loving her along with us..

 

🐾 Atkins’ Journey – From Rescue to New Beginnings and Back Again 🐾

Atkins came to us as a puppy with his sister, found in the woods as little ones. His sister was quickly adopted, but Atkins, unfortunately, became a bit more stand-offish and didn’t find a home right away. Over the years, he showed us just how well-behaved he was, both inside and outside the house—calm, not noisy, and always a good boy.Finally, we were beyond excited when a couple from Arizona fell in love with him! After a long road trip across the country, his meet and greet and adoption went perfectly, and Atkins was ready to live his best life. But then, months later, we got an unexpected and upsetting call…We packed up again and hit the road to bring Atkins back home to Louisiana, where he will stay until we find the right, trustworthy home for him. He’s such a special boy who deserves the best, and we won’t stop until we find him the forever family he truly deserves.

We’re so glad to have Atkins back home with us at Villalobos. He’s a sweet boy who has been through quite a journey, and now, because of his physical/medical issues, we’ve made him a sponsor dog. This means we’re working to ensure he has everything he needs while he waits for his perfect family.

You can help support Atkins by checking out the link on his profile for his much-needed supplies. Every little bit helps us give him the care he deserves until his forever family comes along!

🐾 Meet Duckie: A Testament to Resilience and Love 🐾

Duckie, was rescued as a puppy from beneath an abandoned house in New Orleans during the sweltering summer, alongside his mother, the renowned St. Roch Ghost Dog, and his brother, Roch. While Roch found a loving adoptive home, Duckie has faced ongoing challenges with anxiety, making the world beyond Villalobos Rescue Center overwhelming for him. Recognizing his need for stability, we’ve committed to providing Duckie with a permanent sanctuary here, where he feels safe and loved. Duckie’s mother, the St. Roch Ghost Dog (a previous sponsor dog herself), was a symbol of resilience, surviving Hurricane Katrina and years on the streets before passing away a few years ago. Her legacy lives on through Duckie, who embodies her strength and spirit.

At Villalobos, we are dedicated to offering a haven for dogs like Duckie, ensuring they receive the care and compassion they deserve. If you’re moved by Duckie’s story, consider supporting our mission and sponsor Duckie.

To sponsor Calabaza, Atkins, Duckie or any of the other dogs in our sponsor program, click below. 

HAVE YOU HEARD AT VRC?

🎥🐾 Villalobos Rescue is on YouTube! 🐾🎥

That’s right—we have a VRC YouTube channel! 🎉 Subscribe and follow us for all the dog content you love and so much more. From heartwarming rescues to behind-the-scenes adventures, we’re bringing you closer than ever to the everyday life at Villalobos!

We’re extremely excited to share our journey with you, so don’t miss out—hit that subscribe button and stay tuned for amazing stories, updates, and of course… adorable rescue dogs!

#VRCYouTube #VillalobosRescue #RescueAdventures #SubscribeNow

"I MISS YOUR SHOW" "HOW CAN I ASK TIA A QUESTION?"

As you can imagine, we get TONS of phone calls/emails daily. There is simply no physical way possible for me to sit at my desk and answer each call or email as they come in. Again, it is NOT physically possible. Add to this, I would not be able to get any other work done when it comes to actually running the rescue.

So.....I created a platform where you can have all of the above AND we can generate donations for the dogs. Oh and did I mention that you will also be able to watch the new online version of Pit Bulls & Parolees called "Life with the Underdogs?"

Our very own Pitbulls & Parolees spin off

It's all here on our Patreon platform. We have several levels available (and yes, we have a YouTube channel). Check it out! There's even a "free" level!

 

WHERE CAN YOU FIND US?

SO MANY PLATFORMS TO FIND US ON

VRC EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬 – 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫

Travis has been surrounded by animals his entire life, but his journey into animal care began at just 12 years old when he started working with racehorses. Before joining Villalobos, he held an Assistant Racehorse Trainer license and always found ways to help animals whenever he could.

A longtime fan of the rescue’s mission, Travis and his partner Nicole took a leap of faith when they saw a job posting on Facebook. Without hesitation, they packed up and moved to New Orleans to be part of the team—and he’s been here for nearly five years!

As Assistant Barn Manager, Travis helps oversee the barn staff and cares for the dogs at both the barn and intake location. His role is all about stepping up wherever needed, but what he finds most rewarding is witnessing the transformation of dogs who come in severely neglected and seeing them thrive on the other side of recovery.

Travis believes education is one of the most critical yet overlooked aspects of animal welfare. His passion for learning and sharing knowledge helps ensure every dog gets the best possible care.

At home, Travis has a house full of animals, including reptiles, dogs, and cats. His big bully, Tank, has a hilarious obsession with Mountain Dew bottles—he’ll “woo” at you nonstop until he gets one! While he doesn’t have a favorite breed, he admits he’s not the biggest fan of poodles.

If Travis were a dog, he’d be a Labrador—happy, intelligent, and always eager to help. One of his favorite enrichment activities? Taking the laser pointer outside and watching the dogs go wild chasing it!

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬!

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