Big Dog Rescue

I just went through the process of adopting a dog from Big Dog Rescue in Penngrove, CA. It is one of the most beautiful sites for these homeless animals. I worked with Cheryl who had my application approved and my veterinary send in a letter of approval since I am a prior dog owner and lover. She matched me with a beautiful dog named Annabelle, whom I fell in love with. The date was set for me to come and spend a few hours with Annabelle and if we connected I would be able to take her home. Since I am 5 hours away, I would need the letter from my vet for approval. Everything was set. I would meet Annabelle and bring her home on Saturday. While en-​route, Cheryl decided to allow another family to come and meet with Annabelle even after I had been approved as her new owner provided our visit went well. My visit with Annabelle was perfect! However, while at the shelter, Cheryl began to introduce me to other dogs to see if I would be interested in another pet. I was confused at first until she told me that she now had another family she was considering for Annabelle. I couldn’t believe I had come all this way and gone through the process, only to be told, she changed her mind. The final decision was to give Annabelle to the other family. I am still heartbroken and a little confused. When I spoke with Cheryl asking why she did this, she simply implied that it was unfortunate that «I thought» I was already approved to take Annabelle home.
Cheryl acted dishonestly and has the power to do this and suffer no penalty for it. I’ve now decided not to adopt at this time. I must mention she did offer me a consolation prize of a first right of refusal for another dog and no adoption fees. If she didn’t act with integrity this time around, why would I expose myself again through your agency? No thanks!
Please consider when adopting through this agency and especially if you are working with Cheryl, that until you have your new pet in possession and safely home, they may and can change their mind regardless of their previous agreement and how it will affect a person.
Sincerely,
Veronica F

Well… as they say, «Sh*t happens». It’s just like falling in love, when you know you KNOW. After finding our first two furry kids, a third little soul crept into our hearts 8 months ago. Now I love dogs, obviously, but I also know when a dog is meant to be in my life. Enter little miss Domino. I thought her photo was adorable on their posting, but meeting her in person? Meant to be. Now our little family pack is complete, and not a day goes by where I don’t laugh, smile and feel undying love for our pups. So if you’re looking for your forever friend, visit and meet the dogs face-​to-​face. If a dog picks YOU… you’ll know, and it’ll be magic.

I have been to my fair share of rescue shelters in northern and southern CA, and BDR is hands down the most beautiful and pleasant experience I have had. Petaluma Animal Services recommended BDR to me with high praise. I had such a good feeling the first time my sisters and I visited that we have been volunteering for 6 months now. This rescue has no required limit of days you need to volunteer as many others do, which actually makes me want to come in more. We come and go as we please. Sometimes I spend hours just socializing and cuddling the dogs! I always leave feeling great and joke that it is free therapy.
I believe the dogs here are genuinely as happy as they can be in their «in between» situation. They have room to run, sun bathe, go on tree-​lined walks, and get lots of fresh air. The rescue has amazing trainers that come in to work with the dogs until they find their people. It is clear the women that run BDR have a serious love and compassion for animals, and they have dedicated their lives to it.
My fiancé and I ended up falling in love and bringing home two BDR dogs. We have had such a great experience (and talk about it so often) that 3 additional dogs have been adopted out into our family, and I’m sure there will be more because we can’t give enough praise. They also give a really lovely «doggy gift bag» to take home with you.

Where do I begin? I’m a volunteer with Big Dog & have volunteered with countless other rescue groups over the years. They only have two requirements to be a volunteer: compassion and a love for dogs! I have NEVER worked with any other rescue group that has flexibility. Most places are a weekly commitment at a set time, which is tough because of my other commitments & I no longer live in Sonoma County. The staff & volunteers are compassionate, friendly, knowable & outright amazing!
Now let’s talk dogs: they have large outdoor dog runs, sleep in doors at night & get play dates. The facility is NOT depressing, but peaceful & beautifully maintained. They are healthy and very well taken care of. It’s clear there was a great deal of love, thought and resources put into this rescue sanctuary. I would highly recommend adopting or volunteering your time here. You will NOT be disappointed.

BDR is the best. I adopted 2 dogs from them… the first, alas, had aggression problems– and bit two people. I loved this dog and was heartbroken because clearly he had to leave my home. BDR took him back and provided care and sanctuary. Dog #2 came several months later… a puppy Aussiepoo… now 4 years old and the most amazing dog I have ever had… BDR was so supportive both in my sadness about having to give up dog #1 and in matching me with dog #2. An incredible place… full of love and ‘dog people’.

Beware of this place! If you don’t present yourself or your desired dog’s home environment in exactly the right light, the staff at BDR won’t let you adopt ANY dog from them. They have a certain dog «utopian» vision that, without understanding what you did/​said wrong, will find you unfit.
When I called BDR to see about picking up the dog my husband and I had visited and fell in love with the day before, the very mean and curt director told me my husband and I would not be allowed to adopt from them. She said we would keep the dog outside too much and that they «believe a dog should be an integral part of a family’s life.» (She wasn’t even the woman who «helped» us; she was basing her decision on what someone else had told her.) I said that was exactly what we wanted and she most certainly would be an indoor dog! She gave me no chance to explain what we were looking for or the environment the dog would live in. She just refused to discuss it any farther, saying «that anything I said at this point cannot be believed!»
This was extremely hurtful.
When people decide it is time to add a dog to their family, it is an admirable thing to go to a rescue. Perhaps some of you are like my husband and I, who recently lost their two dogs to old age and were left with a hole that needed filled. Along with an empty nest (children have grown), we had all the time in the world to love and nurture a new addition.
BDR had no right to treat us so rudely when we were feeling so excited at the prospect of finding the perfect dog. A polite, «we think we found a better match for this dog and we wish you luck in your search» would not have lead to this bad review and I would not have been blindsided by their treatment of us. There are lots of rescue organizations out there — work with an agency that is professional and respectful. Do not use BDR.

My girl Daisy was very depressed because her older brothers had to be put down.
after looking at other dogs, we went to big dog rescue and found a little girl they called Pixie.
I took my granddaughter with me because I wanted a friendly, happy dog who liked kids, well I found the perfect fit. They could not have been nicer or know their dogs better we ended up with our perfect new family member and Daisy has not been depressed since.
Would not hesitate to get another dog from them, maybe next time I really will get a big dog (Penny weighs 10 pounds) I hope that is many many year off!

I have volunteered at BDR. The care they give the animals, and the people on staff and volunteers, is exemplary. The physical facility is very large, so beautiful and well-​tended, it feels like being at a meditation retreat. It is a joy, and restorative to one’s spirit, to be there. I have never seen rescued animals so well-​treated and loved.
The dog we adopted from BDR, Toby, a mini-​poodle mix, is so well-​adjusted and socialized. He was loved there, and is adored by us, his lucky family!

Love BDR! They are a great place to find your new family addition. We got our pup 2 years ago from BDR and she’s been the best dog ever! Big Dog Rescue is great at matching their dogs to people, really appreciate the screening that they have in place. The facility (ranch) is so big and the dogs get plenty of love and attention. I highly recommend checking them out.

7 years ago we brought our German Shepherd up to big dog rescue to find a companion for him and we found our little penny girl ! we love her very much and the experience and care and their facilities are all fabulous! Don’t let the name fool you they have all shapes and sizes

The other reviews here have really said it all. We adopted a wonderful pair of Australian shepherds three years ago, and couldn’t be happier with the experience. BDR is careful and thorough and an outstanding partner in pet adoption. It’s a great place to visit too. Wonderful people all.

Absolutely love the staff at BDR. They take such good care of the dogs and really work hard to make sure their dogs are placed in the best home possible. I was initially but off by the long application process but soon realized it was best for the dog’s placement. The dog we got from them was the perfect fit for our family. Thank you for rescuing our dog from Oklahoma!

I picked up a rescue dog from Big Dog Rescue in Penngrove, CA, over 10 years ago as a puppy. She’s a Wheaten Terrier cross (possibly with Jack Russell) and she is the sweetest dog ever. I won’t hesitate to go back to BDR to get another dog. They take excellent care of their dogs and provide you with the information and support you need to match the perfect dog for you and your family and lifestyle. They’re very personable and professional. Check out their website frequently for updates for these wonderful pooches!

Big Dog Rescue provides an extraordinary service. I am so thrilled that I visited their shelter and decided to adopt ‘Leo.’ He is a wonderful and amazing companion and I am very grateful that Big Dog Rescue saved him from a ‘kill shelter’ in Salinas. Without their incredible effort and compassion, Leo would not have had a second chance, and I would never have met him. I would recommend Big Dog Rescue to anyone who is considering pet adoption. It is a beautiful facility and all the people who work there were very helpful and patient.

We have adopted 3 dogs from BDR over 5 years and have been delighted with them. They have big and small dogs. Their ranch is large with many play areas for the dogs during the day. At night they are tucked in their warm beds. They evaluate their dogs and can give you good insight on what they will need to adjust in their new home. The dogs are given all the usual vet treatments and shots. Some dogs are mix breeds and some are purebreds. They take only a limited number of dogs so they each get individual attention. They also sponsor medical care for needy injured dogs. We were fortunate to get 2 young «doodles» that were found near Bakersfield. Their calm ranch environment helps dogs that have been traumatized from their stay in shelters. They do great work.
Karen

I can’t believe how great these people are.
Our family really wanted a dog, but which one? Here’s what we had to work with: 1) a small child who up until recently was terrified of dogs; 2) I’m allergic to about 75% of dogs; and 3) my cross-​country running kid wanted a dog to run with. You’d think they’d roll their eyes and shoo me away. But no, they were patient and thoughtful, and worked with our entire family to find the best fit. Our process took longer than mostly because of the allergy thing, but I’m glad they were so patient with us.
We ended up getting a big greyhound/​lab mix, which was perhaps the farthest thing from my mind when we began the process. But she was the best fit. She’s the perfect pet for our family – even though she just chewed my bare-​root raspberry plant this afternoon.
I highly recommend Big Dog Rescue and their people, especially Michele.

We had been stalking basically all the local pet adoption sites for our perfect dog for a long time but were unable to take any action due to the no-​pet policy of our apartment (yet three contraband cats, Laura B, holla!), but our move into our dog-​friendly condo was suddenly imminent. Which, really, was probably all for the best that we had an extended waiting period, because it took that long to dissuade my boyfriend from his dream of a «face-​eating» dog. After about the 1,000^th time of pointing out that such a dog would result in a) the disappearance of our cats, and b) a likely bevy of lawsuits, we compromised on getting a dog that looks like a Muppet. Do you see what I’m working with?
So, one night I was perusing
(check it out, excellent resource with a compendium of local adoption agencies and great search options), I saw him. A little scrappy black terrier/​poodle mix standing proudly, as though he were in the background of some British aristocrat’s portrait. Muppet-​like? Undoubtedly. I turned my laptop toward D, who proceeded to freak the f*&^ out. «He’s got buttons for eyes!» he exclaimed. «Buttons for eyes! You have to put the adoption application in NOW!» Because apparently his faxing finger was broken.
Long story short, we put in the application, met our pup who managed to charm us even more, and after a home inspection, picked him up for our foster to adoption period. I love Big Dog Rescue for so many reasons beyond the inherent good of what they and similar organizations are doing. The dogs have a wonderful existence on an idyllic ranch while waiting for their forever homes, and the people behind Big Dog are determined to ensure that they reach a perfect and suitable home, and are in no rush to dump them off to the first taker. You initially get your dog for a foster period before the official adoption so that you will be certain that you want to keep the dog, and if not, return the dog to Big Dog so that they don’t end up back in the shelter cycle. They are seriously wonderful people, and if you fall in love with one of their dogs, you just need to make sure that you are the one to maintain contact with them (as I so borderline-​psychotically did, although they assured me it was a good thing), because they are really understandably busy.
If you are hell bent on buying a designer dog, please check out Big Dog first. They have a sister shelter in Oklahoma that receives a lot of dogs from a local puppy mill, and all sorts of designer dogs that probably tickle your fancy, and that truly need and deserve a good home. Our dog Astro is not only an adorable scrappy Muppet, but also nothing short of perfect, or at least, perfect for us… he comes with me to work and sleeps on the couch all day, tussles with the bf in the evenings, ignores Bandido’s continued threats to «cut» him, and is a GENIUS. (He learned how to shake in the course of 2 minutes, probably also due to the fact that I geek out over his shaking as though he were a Beatle.)

After finally buying a place of our own, we decided a new house would not be complete without a doggie companion since I work at home 99.9% of the time! We searched through
for a Lhasa Apso and lo and behold found our beloved Nicholas at Big Dog Rescue. We fell in love with him the minute we read his very sad story:
Nicholas had been found by Animal Control wandering the streets. Animal Control placed him in a big dog run (he’s 17 pounds) with two Chows, who proceeded to attack him to the point that he lost an eye, his tail, and a toe. Nicholas also seemed to have seizures from the accident.
We emailed Big Dog rescue and met with Nicholas within a week’s time. The minute we met him, Nicholas jumped into my husband’s arms and licked him from head to toe! We knew he was the doggie for us and adopted him after a 2 week trial period.
In March of 2006, we got a call from Big Dog Rescue saying they had a potential playmate for Nicholas. We fostered and then adopted Lily, a little Maltese who had also been abandoned by her parents at the pound. They wanted to give us Lily for free because we adopted Nicholas, a dog with a ton of medical issues, but luckily we had the funds to give them a donation.
Big Dog Rescue is a wonderful organization filled with amazingly patient doggie foster parents. They have an entire ranch dedicated to rehabilitating dogs and farm animals. Some of the dogs don’t get adopted and end up staying at the ranch where they get homemade food and lots of loving by Big Dog Rescue volunteers for the rest of their lives. The world is blessed to have people like them around!