Dog Blog

🐾🐶🐕 LET'S TALK ABOUT MARTINGALE COLLARS! 🐕🐶🐾 When you adopt a dog from Big Dog Ranch, we require you to either have or purchase a martingale collar for the dog. We know that you want to have a pretty new collar on your dog, and they can wear that too, but please ALWAYS attach the leash to the martingale collar. 🌟🌟 Martingale collars fits loosely on a dog’s neck but tightens when it needs to. 🌟🌟 It has two loops. The first looks like a traditional nylon collar that

Three years ago, Big Dog Ranch Rescue received a call from Puerto Rico from a group called El Foster Club. Thousands of people were fleeing the islands because of the hurricanes and leaving their dogs in the streets, at shelters, and with family members. El Foster Club could not pair dogs with fosters fast enough and the need had surpassed their capabilities. Big Dog Ranch Rescue was able to help by fundraising to get dogs off the island through cargo planes and as passengers

If you are obsessed with dogs or have one of your own to love, you may be aware that National Dog Day is on August 26th. If you didn’t know that this day was fast approaching, or even a day to be celebrated, now you know! National Dog Day recognizes and brings awareness to mixed breeds and pure breeds from shelters and rescues. This day encourages people to celebrate their dogs and share their stories, hoping it will inspire friends and family to rescue a dog of their own. He

“Alone we can do so little together we can do so much.” This summer Big Dog Ranch Rescue took to the road to save 100 dogs. The result? 261 dogs from multiple shelters got their freedom ride and we had the chance to speak to the people who are doing the hard work in rural parts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. For 4th of July we decided the best way to celebrate was to give FREEDOM to as many deserving lives as possible. Our community rallied behind us to raise over $5

In mid-August of 2020, Big Dog Ranch Rescue received a heartbreaking call. Rescues in the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Vieques, were facing hard decisions. COVID and a very unpredictable hurricane season were presenting new challenges to their small but mighty rescue facilities. With tourism to the island closed, donors, adopters, and potential transporters went from thousands during the busy season to a screeching halt of zero. When we received the call

Losing a pet can be devastating and can feel worse than losing a parent. Pets provide something humans cannot: unconditional love and companionship. There are FALSE myths we are told surrounding grief, such as: 1. Don’t feel badly you can get another 2. Your pet is in a better place 3. Time will heal 4. Be strong, don’t cry Grief has been an emotion suppressed by society for years. Grieving is healthy and it is important to embrace the roller coaster of feelings and to

With rain comes lush greenery, fresh air and unfortunately the deadly Cane Toads. Cane Toads are back and as dangerous as ever for your dog and other pets. The Cane Toad, also known as a Bufo Toad, is generally harmless to people, but they can kill dogs. They average between 4 and 6 inches but can grow to 9 inches, they have large triangular glands behind their eyes that contain a high load of a milky-white toxin that can kill dogs. If a dog bites or licks the slow-moving fro

AMAZING STORY OF RESCUE, RECONNECTION AND LOTS OF DOGGIE LOVE There are several dog rescues in Puerto Rico with hundreds of dogs and Big Dog Ranch Rescue is their largest and most involved outlet for these dogs. When you adopt a dog from Puerto Rico it makes space for us to save more! Amanda Lippman, Big Dog Ranch Rescue volunteer, partner, and adopter tells her amazing story of finding her best friend! "I was introduced to Big Dog Ranch Rescue about 4 years ago. My client, T

A picture may be worth 1000 words, but it won’t tell you the full story. That’s why we rely on our Animal Care Specialists! Big Dog Ranch Rescue wouldn’t run successfully without these animal lovers. These are our employees that work with the dogs day in and day out. They are committed to the health and well being of our dogs, they help the dogs transition from a public shelter or abusive/neglectful situation, and they give them the routine and structure they need to adjust t

Guest Blog Post By Nicky Butler I’d like you to try and imagine a scenario, if you will... Your best buddy has dragged you out to a party. You’re a bit of a social introvert, and you didn’t really want to go but, since it’s your best friend, you indulged her. The party’s crowded and noisy, and it’s full of people from your friend’s home country. They don’t really speak your language and you don’t speak theirs – but it’s ok because your friend promised she’d stick beside you a

A few days ago we talked about the 3/3/3 rule - 3 days to detox from shelter life, 3 weeks to settle and learn the routine, 3 months to finally feel "home." When you bring your new dog home, it’s important to do what you can to ease his or her transition. Patience and a sense of humor are critical for your new dog’s success. Your new dog needs to be given an opportunity to adjust. To adjust to the new people, sounds, smells and environment. A dog that was quiet and confident

At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we have a volunteer that tells each of our dogs, “You are halfway home.” We do our best to provide an amazing environment for our dogs to help them adjust to their future lives. As you can imagine, life at The Ranch is quite different from life in your home and tragically, some of our dogs have never experienced a loving home. When you meet a dog in a rescue or a shelter many people don’t realize that the dog’s personality will shift and change as the

Many families are considering adding a new four legged family member. While puppies can be very cute, it’s important that you set your new family member up for success when you bring them home! PETTING - Puppies are soft, sometimes fluffy and generally very cute! With your young kids, be sure to encourage gentle stroking at all times - never pulling, grabbing, heavy patting or sitting on! Your new puppy is not a couch or a pony, so be sure to let your child know they should n

What You Need to Know About Your Pet and Coronavirus Tigers, cats, and Coronavirus. Oh my! There has been some misinformation and concern due to the news of the Tiger in New York and two pets in Hong Kong that tested positive with Coronavirus. The truth is that pets cannot spread Coronavirus to humans. We want to share with you what we have learned about pets and COVID-19 so you can keep loving on your companions without fear or hesitation. Can pets infect humans with COVID-1

Coronavirus has increased the risk to dogs all around the world. During these difficult, emotional times, we are their family, and their only hope. And we need your help. Coronavirus has postponed indefinitely or canceled the fundraisers that keep Big Dog Ranch Rescue running. This has forced us to layoff 40% of our incredible and dedicated staff, reduce salaries and even close parts of the campus. But it’s the dogs who truly suffer. We care for an average of 600 dogs but h

After all the chaos and destruction that Hurricane Dorian brought to the Bahamas this past year, many lost hope, homes, and their beloved pets, too. But, here is a “happy tail” of Miracle - the dog who symbolizes hope and strength. The dog who survived on rainwater for three weeks… For over 21 days and 21 nights, little Miracle held onto life from under thousands of pounds of rubble as Hurricane Dorian ravaged his home. While searching for survivors, Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s in

At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, we find it very important to keep dogs healthy and happy. Our team would like to remind you how important it is to take great care of your dog. One of the best ways to stay on top of your dog’s health is to schedule an annual checkup. You probably have a designated veterinarian for your fur baby – one that is familiar with your dog’s medical history and records. This is helpful because each year, when you bring your dog in, they can look for any abnor

One year ago, florida animal shelters, rescue groups and private citizens sprang into action in the wake of hurricane dorian

The slaughterhouses in Asia are operating in full force and tens of thousands of dogs are earmarked for death, enduring a horrible “life” of painful suffering, torture and cruelty as they await their fate. Despite misleading recent announcements that dogs have been taken off the agricultural list, the horrific practice of killing dogs for human consumption still continues every single day. Thousands of innocent dogs are being boiled, skinned, beaten, and burned alive, moments

After Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas last year, we rushed to the aid. With our team of wonderful staff and volunteers, we saved over 160 dogs from the islands, reunited more than 65 animals with their beyond-ecstatic owners, brought more than 150,000 pounds of supplies over, sent two vehicles over, and we also helped to rebuild the Bahamas Humane Society. By yacht, by cruise ship, and by planes, we worked daily to make a difference.