Ruff Start Rescue — Local services in Baldwin Township

UPDATE AT THE END

Initially adopted a puppy from Ruff Start and after the first week, we had several instances of aggressive behavior, including bites drawing blood with my wife and our 9 year old son. RSR set up an online session with one of their approved trainers, which we agreed to do in the attempts to see if this was something that could be worked with so we could keep the puppy in our family.

While waiting for the online training session, two more bites, drawing blood from our son and one more with my wife had occurred. During the session, the trainer even voiced some concern regarding her behavior. "Sydney" was not our first dog and our first dog was also a German Shepherd mix and in her 12 years, we NEVER experienced ANYTHING even remotely close to this level of aggression towards anyone. The attacks were unprovoked and random.

Even our vet said her behaviors were concerning and were beyond the realm of what many people could properly deal with.

After the training session, she drew blood from me twice, once from one of my wife's co-workers and once from our 15 year old cat. Since the first week of voicing concerns, around 3 weeks went by before any option was provided for her being "taken" back.

We really wish there was some period in time where if an adoption isn't a fit, ESPECIALLY if aggressive traits such as hers, which actually endanger the well-being of children, a refund was issued. We were able to surrender her back and then saw her back up on the website, claiming she was "good with children and cats", both off which she IS NOT. After all, she was an angel the first 3 days and a Foster homes experience in a few days, doesn't give ANY solid foundation to negate 9 filed attacks.

I'm sure RSR had been wonderful for many people, and I sincerely wish we were one of those stories as well, but to turn around an adoption as quickly as they did here, ignoring what even professionals noticed is highly irresponsible and irresponsible. They earned a quick $1000 with two adoptions, in less than a month with a puppy that needsa specialists care, NOT A FAMILY WITH KIDS AND/OR CATS.

UPDATE

After leaving the initial review, a full refund was issued for our adoption. However, allowing a dog with a history like the one I've mentioned to be relisted and have her info updated by a foster who has spent least than a couple days with her, is highly irresponsible.

Second edit:

Since our horrific experience with RSR, we have found an incredible dog through a different rescue organization.

I have also received multiple contacts from others experiencing similar situations. RSR apparently had no problem bringing in new rescues, but struggles with taking dogs back when issues with the homing process arise.

Apparently, finding homes that are good fits for both the dogs and the families isn't really...

I have been searching to adopt a dog for about 5 months now. I receive notifications from RSR and as soon as I've received the notification (I mean minutes after receiving) I check the pets availability they've sent and the dog is "no longer available." What?!!?!

I had interest in one particular dog. The foster mom called me and left a message saying the dog was right there in her lap, and when did I want to visit to see the dog. I returned the call the next day and left a message. The foster called me at 11:30 PM the following night.11:30? SERIOUSLY? I was up, but thought I'd let her leave a message because it was late to be receiving a phone call, but she didn't. She texted me instead saying there were 25 PEOPLE WHO PUT IN AN APPLICATION FOR THIS DOG and now the dog had found irs forever home. Wow, I was stunned. Why did they call me when there were 25 applications?!!?!

What kind of chance do my husband and I have to adopt a dog with these kinds of odds? I mean its basically a gamble. Better odds at a casino.

I cannot get my heart broken time and time again with the way they run their organization. I can't.

In addition, to make things more impossible the Ruff Start Rescue website is very hard to navigate. I asked my husband, "Is it me?" He has IT and webmaster skills and said the site is not navigation friendly. I couldnt EVER get my application to go completely through, I kept getting an email telling me my application was not complete, that I could answer the questions separately and they would be entered separately. I did and it still didnt go through. SO FRUSTRATING! Every single page you must check "not a robot" and I'd say most times I had to complete a full captcha. THIS IS A SECURITY RISK if you are putting your personal information out there.

NOT TO MENTION (speaking of a security risk (they want you to make an appointment so you can video conference your home to them. I get it they dont want their fosters going to a hoarders home, but this is a security risk when people can see your valuables.

I'm pretty much done.with Ruff Start Rescue. I WOULD NOT DONATE TO THEM EITHER. I have no confidence what they are doing is on the up and up based on my experience.

I wish I could delete my...

We adopted our first doggo from RSR in January 2024. She was a Texas transport who had an extremely hard Ruff Start to her life it’s amazing she’s alive. I realized how much went into saving her life and bringing her into our home. I mean dozens of volunteers fosters vets worked on getting this girl here. The person who found her and brought her into a rescue the vets and vet techs who spent months making her safe and healthy, her fosters down there who were incredible and helped shape her into the sweet girl she is, the donations that kept her fed, all the volunteers who handle donations and supply drop offs, the transport volunteers the foster here, the vets here, the intake team, the foster manager.. I mean actually probably dozens of people had a part in it. I knew I needed to also take part in this so I started volunteering with RSR right after we adopted her. Shortly after, in March I started fostering also! This is where I really got to see RSR in action. Building relationships with all the other fosters volunteers, staff! I mean all of which are incredible. It’s people coming together with a shared passion to love and save animals! After 11 fosters from March-October, I had my first what we call “foster fail” meaning we adopted a doggo we intended to foster. And when this happens everyone who works there is so extremely supportive. When you have a dog come into your home that is just the actual perfect fit you can’t pass. RSR has given me so much extra joy and purpose. I intend to keep foster and hopefully not failing as we have a house full. Lol. Each and every animal I had the blessing to take in and foster has been INCREDIBLE these dogs, cats and even critters have true gratitude for being in a safe and loving home. Please consider adoption of a rescue! There are so many incredible animals who need homes due to no fault of their own and after seeing hard times show nothing but love gratitude! I am so happy to have our 2 dogs adopted from Ruff Start Rescue and will continue to support the amazing cause. Thank...