06/04/2026
Update:
As most of our Raising Rank Rescue family knows, I am preparing for a quickly approaching surgery. Originally scheduled for July 20th, I received a call yesterday that it has been moved up to July 6th. While I'm grateful to be getting it done sooner, it also means I have a much narrower window to complete adoption events, vetting appointments, rescue operations, and all of the day-to-day responsibilities that come with running a rescue. With that said now I'm going to post a little rant:
Today, Miss Noelle (aka Noelli Cannoli) and Bubba (aka Beans) are headed in for vet checks, heartworm testing, flea and tick prevention, rabies vaccinations, and evaluations in preparation for their upcoming spay and neuter surgeries. They will also be starting medication to help with the anxiety they experience as they learn how to live life as beloved family pets.
A little about both dogs...
Noelle was a rescue pull from a shelter that is near and dear to my heart. We knew she needed some work, but we didn't fully realize the extent of it until she entered a home environment. In public settings, Noelle is wonderful—social, calm, friendly, and great with other dogs. Inside the home, however, she is a very different dog. She struggles with severe anxiety, dog aggression, and destructive behaviors.
Unfortunately, this is something we see all too often with dogs coming from backyard breeding situations. These dogs have frequently received little to no veterinary care, no vaccinations, minimal socialization, and have spent their lives being valued only for their ability to produce puppies. They are fearful of the very place they should feel safest—a loving home.
Bubba came from a very similar situation as an owner surrender. Different circumstances, same result. No vetting. No socialization. No vaccinations. No understanding of what it means to be part of a family.
When rescues take in dogs like Noelle and Bubba, the work extends far beyond providing food and shelter. We are teaching them how to trust, how to interact appropriately, how to live in a home, and in some cases, how to simply be a dog. Finding homes for dogs that are already four years old, know no commands, are not crate trained, are not potty trained, and have never experienced normal family life is incredibly challenging. Add years of breeding and neglect to the equation, and you're often dealing with overwhelming behavioral and emotional trauma.
Today, I am taking two dogs to receive medication to help prevent them from hurting themselves because they genuinely do not understand what a safe, loving home is supposed to feel like.
So before you decide that your dog is so cute that she should have "just one litter" or even two litters a year, please stop and think. More than half of those puppies may eventually end up in shelters, rescues, or worse. Please spay and neuter your pets.
If cost is the issue, reach out to your local rescue, shelter, or humane society for resources. I can honestly say that every rescue, shelter, and humane society I know is full. We want to help, but we cannot continue to keep up with the volume of unwanted animals being produced.
Speaking for myself—and I am certain many other rescues would agree—we would much rather help fundraise for a spay or neuter than continue taking in litter after litter of puppies. In my case, I often end up taking in the parents, too.
Now, if you are an ethical breeder who health tests, properly vets your animals, socializes your puppies, and takes responsibility for every dog you produce throughout its lifetime, this post is not directed at you.
This post is for the people creating more animals than our communities can responsibly care for.
Noelle and Bubba deserved better.
Every dog deserves better.
Please spay and neuter your pets.
— Shana Brandt Founder & Director Raising Rank Rescue 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Rescue
EIN: 41-2553252
