Straight Outta Swampton

Issue #29

THIS WEEK AT VRC

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Villalobos Rescue Center is hiring, and we’re searching for individuals who understand that this is more than just a job—it’s a lifestyle. We have openings at our Louisiana and Texas locations for kennel staff. Duties include cleaning kennels, feeding, walking, and yes, even playing with dogs—because who wouldn’t want to get paid to spend time with amazing pups?

The animal rescue system is facing unprecedented challenges, and we need passionate, dedicated people to step up—not for us, but for the dogs who depend on us all.

To apply, email [email protected] or reach out through our website via [email protected] (emails will be forwarded).

Slobbers and Drools,

Tia Torres

THE ADOPTABLES

Sriracha

Meet Sriracha, our stunning Doberman with a personality as bold as his name! This middle-aged charmer came to us during our "23 dogs in 24 hours" rescue mission and has since stolen hearts with his playful spirit. Despite an old injury to his front paw, Sriracha shakes hands (or paws!) with pride and enjoys making up his own games. He’s extremely food-motivated, loves meeting new people, and has boundless energy that defies his age. A fan of instrumental jazz, Sriracha is looking for a home that will groove to his beat and appreciate his zest for life.

Pluto

Meet Pluto, a 10.5-year-old lab mix who proves that age is just a number! This sweet and social gentleman loves being around people and gets along well with other dogs. Though he’s calm and mature, Pluto still has a playful side and is always up for a good adventure. If you’re looking for a loyal companion with a heart of gold, Pluto is your guy!

To learn more about Sriracha, Pluto and all of the other adoptable dogs at Villalobos click below.

VRC SPONSOR PROGRAM

@villalobosrescue

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF...Broken but Not Forgotten Tassin has just received surgery for a dislocated hip after she was found chained up to a... See more

TASSIN NEEDS A SPONSOR

One of our employees spotted this gorgeous German Shepherd as she was driving through our small rural town. She barely noticed the dog chained up to this abandoned house.  It was evident that she had a severe injury because her entire hip area/back leg was “caved in.”  So we called our new animal control officer, who met us out there, and that’s when the story became questionable.

According to the neighbors, she belonged to a “little boy,” and he kept her chained up there because he wasn’t allowed to take her home.  Hmm?  So she was confiscated and put into our care. After the vet looked at her and going by the x-rays, we suspected blunt force trauma (you can see how her leg/hip is completely dislocated in the x-ray), and we opted to do the expensive surgery to save her.

We named her “Tassin,” after a well-known family name here in Louisiana.  Once she heals from her surgery, then she will be put through heartworm treatment and then eventually we will put her up for adoption.  Tassin’s time will come. There is a family out there who will see her for the beauty that she is. But for now, we here at VRC and the VRC Army of donors, supporters and fans will treat her like the royalty she deserves to be.

To send Tassin some goodies to make her feel better, she has her own Amazon storefront link.  We also earn a commission when you purchase something through our Amazon storefront!  So not only are you donating for Tassin but VRC as well.  Tassisn’s Amazon link is: https://amzn.to/3AR0sfj

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

WHAT’S NEW AT VRC?

HAPPY HOWL-IDAYS!

Christmas is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the season of giving than by giving back? This year, gift your loved one a sponsor dog—or even a wolf!

When you sponsor, your loved one will receive a welcome letter, a postcard, and access to an exclusive Facebook group—all sent directly to their home. Simply note in PayPal that it’s a gift, include the recipient’s name, address, and email, or have the materials sent to you to present personally.

Did you know our wolf dogs are the least sponsored? Let’s change that this season by showing them some extra love!

Start your holiday shopping today by visiting our website. For questions, email us at [email protected].

VRC EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

In New Orleans’ bustling world of dog rescue, Jenna stands out as a compassionate yet strong force of nature. She has spent the past seven and a half years pouring her heart into saving dogs in need. Jenna’s journey has been shaped by resilience, empathy, and a deep love for the animals.

Jenna’s entry into the world of animal rescue began by helping friends in Minneapolis get their dogs vaccinated and fixed during their travels. When she relocated to New Orleans, seeking healing from her own personal struggles, she found solace in walking dogs at the rescue. What began as a therapeutic outlet soon turned into a full-fledged passion and career.

For the past three years, Jenna has served as the City Manager and Medical Caretaker, overseeing employees, managing the medical needs of the city dogs, and providing aftercare for surgeries and vaccinations. She also takes in fosters and photographs dogs for social media. Jenna also supports Katie with the sponsor and virtual adoption program.

And if all of that wasn’t enough she helps Perry and Katie with VRC Kids. VRC kids is a little You Tube that features the kids of VRC including her very own 3 children. It’s about the importance of teaching the next generation how to treat and care for all animals.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐛?

Watching the dogs find their forever homes. It’s the reminder that we all need sometimes, seeing people fall in love with the dogs we do.

In the medical aspect as hard as it is to see the condition of some of the dogs we take in, watching the dogs heal and their health improve as a step closer to being able to find a home is also extremely rewarding.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?

I have been through so many different experiences and so many different dog personalities. Each dog has taught be something new for me to be a better dog handler.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬?

I’ve never had great relationships with humans. Rescue animals are the most resilient, and the most understanding. My darkest days I spent walking dogs, and doing kennels, those days were my saving grace. The dogs could sense when I needed a good laugh, or if I was really feeling down they would just want to chill and enjoy a nice long walk.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐬?

Have patience. Sometimes you have no idea where these dogs are coming from, and it takes time and understanding for any adopted pet to become comfortable of new situations.

𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏?

Yes! I have a herd of rotties, and my tiny dogs. Oh and 1 crazy cat. My daughter Chloe ended up adopting a handsome senior pittie named Megatron. Every single one of my pets is a rescue!

𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉?

I love Rottweilers!! But over all I enjoy working with more behavioral dogs. As someone who is little more rough around the edges, I relate more to them and enjoy working for that relationship with rougher dogs. Don’t get me wrong, having a super easy to handle dog is great, but you learn so much about life while working through and gaining that unbreakable trust of a dog who cannot verbally tell you what is bothering them.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒅𝒐𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕?

Creating lasting healing bonds is 100% possible without having to say a word. Just having a mutual understanding of each others comfort and boundaries creates a perfect relationship between yourself and your dog.

𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒈 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒚?

I’d have to say a Rottweiler. I come across as a real intense and extremely protective person. But I also have an extremely goofy and easygoing personality.

𝑫𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒚 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒂𝒚?

I love melting into my couch with my dogs to watch Gilmore Girls and share snacks with them. Popcorn, ice cream, whatever the snack it’s being shared.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 “𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈” 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆?

There are so many, but honestly Megatrons! He was such a difficult rescue, and ended up becoming the most gentle and sweet soul. I wouldn’t have imagined that he would have been so amazing with kids especially and the moment him and my daughter met it really was an instant love at first sight.

Jenna’s work is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and connection. For her, rescue isn’t just about saving animals—it’s about building trust, fostering understanding, and creating lasting bonds. Through her dedication, she’s not only changed the lives of countless dogs but also found healing and purpose in her own. Jenna’s story reminds us all that with patience and love, second chances can lead to something extraordinary.

Reply

or to participate.