A visit to a Miami-Dade animal shelter to rescue a Weimaraner was life-changing for Lauree Simmons.
“To see how many beautiful animals were being killed for space – it broke my heart,” says the Palm Beach Gardens resident. “I swore, from that moment on, I would make a difference.”
So, 14 years ago, she founded Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest cage-free, no-kill rescue compound in the United States. The 33-acre Loxahatchee Groves campus has saved more than 35,000 dogs, big and small. Eighty percent of the animals come from crowded shelters that euthanize dogs that aren’t adopted quickly.
“Some shelters are so overwhelmed that the dogs get three to seven days to be reclaimed or adopted,” Simmons says. “Our transport bus never stops running. It’s on the road 24/7.”
The nonprofit focuses its efforts primarily on Southeastern states, but it also saves dogs from international disaster zones, such as hurricane-battered Puerto Rico.
The Big Dog Ranch campus – which includes a veterinary clinic, a quarantine facility, special cabins for moms and their pups, and plenty of room for romping – can accommodate about 600 dogs. Each gets a medical exam, is microchipped, and is spayed or neutered. Ninety-eight employees and an army of volunteers keep everything running.
Education is a key part of the group’s mission, Simmons says.
“We have to educate our way out of dog homelessness by teaching the next generation about responsible pet ownership and the spay-neuter option.”
Currently, the ranch is raising money to build an education center, a facility for training service dogs, an events barn and a sanctuary for dogs awaiting placement as elder companions.
“We’re building as fast as we can raise the money,” she says.
The ranch also plans to expand veterinary and long-term boarding services for people who have adopted from there. A fundraiser for the nonprofit, Celebrity Chefs for Canines, will take place at the Delray Beach Marriott on April 19.
Despite the success of Big Dog Ranch, Simmons says her work is far from over: “I won’t stop until there are no more dogs needlessly being euthanized for space and every dog has a home.” O
For more information, call 561-791-6465 or visit bdrr.org.