Our Mission.

Our mission is to give second chances to homeless or unwanted dogs in desperate need of help. We are a non-profit society with the goal of rescuing dogs from high-kill shelters who may be lost, lonely, sick and longing for love.

With the help of our volunteers, community partners and supporters we have provided a new beginning for the lives of over 350 dogs since inception.

We help reduce pet overpopulation through our mandatory spay-neuter policy, and help prevent the spread of disease by making sure our dogs receive the proper immunizations and medical care they need before they are adopted into their forever homes. We want to make our city and surrounding areas a place where every dog is valued, treated well and has a forever loving home.

We will continue to strive to help the dogs who need us.

  • New homes.

    Kamloops Ruff Start Rescue Society completed seven transport rescue missions during our first year as a rescue.

  • New friends.

    Six of these trips brought dogs from the United States and Taiwan, and one from Mexico.

  • New beginnings.

    Our president, Jaime Agar, has strong connections many with shelters and rescues, and these relationships have allowed us to continue to save dogs, despite the restrictions the pandemic has caused.

 

Foster Volunteers

Without a doubt, Kamloops Ruff Start Rescue could not operate without our dedicated foster families. These volunteers open their homes and hearts to dogs who most often come with challenging behaviours. Some dogs stay with foster families for a few weeks, and some for much longer. Our foster families get attached to these dogs and then let them go when an appropriate forever family has been found. Then the whole thing starts again with a new needy dog. They are true heroes

Community Support

Our number one support in our community is definitely the Veterinarians and staff of Tranquille Road Animal Hospital, for their financial support, medical expertise, and big hearts.

We have an incredible relationship with Bosley’s Pet Store. They have allowed us to host our Meet and Greets and generously donate pet food for our dogs, as well as for cats, which we donate to local cat rescues.

Numerous other businesses have donated goods and services to our cause, such as Gary’s Deli, Manulife Bank, The Vintage Spoon Studio, Petland, Valhalla Smokehouse, and many others.

Saving one dog will not change the world,
but surely for that one dog,
the world will change forever.

Adoption Fees

Adoption fees for our dogs are as follows:

Under 2 years: $750

2 years - 7 years: $600

7 years and older: $450

Adoption fees vary for dogs with special needs.

We are often asked why fees are “so high”. On average, dogs we rescue cost Ruff Start $1100 each. This cost includes transport costs, food, vet services such as immunizations, spay/neuter, dental care, and any additional care they need to prepare them for their new happy & healthy lives.

Ruff Start volunteers are constantly fundraising to keep adoption fees down as much as possible.

Saving one dog will not change the world,
but surely for that one dog,
the world will change forever.