Dogs Deserve Better

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Dogs Deserve Better Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge is located in Central Virginia. We are a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to dog rescue.

For general information you can contact [email protected].

Puppy Update: Fighting for Their Lives with Your HelpLast week, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge welcomed a litter of pupp...
22/01/2025

Puppy Update: Fighting for Their Lives with Your Help

Last week, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge welcomed a litter of puppies from a local family we work with. The family reached out when the mama dog refused to nurse her pups and started getting nippy with them. Thanks to our amazing puppy foster, Marie Ziccardy McCauley, these little ones began to thrive under her loving care.

Unfortunately, one of the pups fell very ill yesterday. Marie rushed him to Augusta Valley Animal Hospital, where he tested positive for parvo. DDBBR covered his treatment, which included sub-q fluids and a monoclonal antibody injection.

To ensure the best chance for the whole litter—nine puppies in total—we reached out to Ryan K Barker at SFC Virginia. Ryan specializes in treating parvo cases, and we’re incredibly grateful for his expertise and partnership. These precious pups are now under SFC VA’s medical care, and we’re holding onto hope that they can pull through.

Please keep these sweet babies in your thoughts and send them positive energy! If you’re not familiar with SFC VA, we highly encourage you to check out thier website: https://www.sfcva.org and consider making a donation. Treating parvo is expensive, but every dollar makes a difference in saving lives.
You can donate to this incredible rescue here:
👉 https://www.sfcva.org/donate.html

Thank you for supporting us, SFC VA, and helping these pups get the care they need! ❤️

Sashi UpdateYesterday at 12:20 PM, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge received confirmation that Albemarle County Animal Con...
18/01/2025

Sashi Update

Yesterday at 12:20 PM, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge received confirmation that Albemarle County Animal Control had finally picked up Sashi. After being transported to a veterinarian for evaluation, the officers returned to Sashi’s owner’s home at 5:12 PM to finalize paperwork. It turns out that no official seizure ever occurred. Instead, the owner agreed to surrender Sashi.

While we are overjoyed and relieved that Sashi is now safe and no longer living under the care of his abuser, critical questions remain unanswered.

When the officer arrived at the property on January 6th and reviewed the same horrifying video we all saw, they chose to leave Sashi with the man who, just an hour earlier, had savagely beaten him and thrown him through the air. Why was Sashi left in that dangerous environment instead of being seized immediately? Why did it take eleven days to remove Sashi and take him to a veterinarian? To help uncover the reasoning behind these decisions, we recently submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the officer’s body cam footage from January 6th.

According to Albemarle County’s report, “the evaluation determined that the dog is in good health and has no significant or life-threatening injuries.” While we are relieved to hear this, the outcome might have been drastically different if Sashi had been examined immediately after the beating, rather than nearly two weeks later.

Sashi is now believed to be at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, though we have not yet confirmed this. Our greatest hope is for Sashi to find a loving home where he can finally experience the care and comfort he has always deserved—a safe place where he can sleep on a soft bed instead of being left outside, chained up, and neglected.

Let’s continue to push for answers and accountability. Sashi deserves better, and so do all animals subjected to cruelty and neglect.

Update on Sashi’s Case ‼️‼️‼️Many of you have seen the disturbing video of Sashi, a senior dog, being brutally beaten wi...
17/01/2025

Update on Sashi’s Case ‼️‼️‼️

Many of you have seen the disturbing video of Sashi, a senior dog, being brutally beaten with a pole or whip by his owner in Keswick, Virginia, on January 6, 2025. This act of cruelty was captured on surveillance footage and has sparked outrage among our community.

Since receiving this video on Tuesday evening, January 14, we at DDBBR have been tirelessly advocating for Sashi's safety. Below is a detailed timeline of events:

Timeline:

January 6: Sashi was viciously beaten by his owner. The incident was recorded on surveillance cameras. The video was shared with Albemarle County Animal Control. Officers visited the abuser but left Sashi in his care.

January 8: Neighbors reported seeing Sashi outside the property. After that day, he was not seen again until today, January 16

January 14: DDBBR received the video and immediately contacted Animal Control and the local shelter (CASPCA) to check if Sashi had been seized and placed on court hold. This is the protocol in cases of abuse. Screenshots of our messages are included below.

January 15: After pressing Animal Control for updates, we learned that Sashi had not been removed from the abuser's home or taken for a veterinary examination.

Today, we received confirmation that Animal Control visited the property again. The abuser brought Sashi outside to show them, confirming that Sashi was still in his possession. Shockingly, Sashi has not been seized or medically examined, even though his body is evidence of the abuse.

Why Immediate Action is Critical
Sashi’s condition should have been assessed immediately after the beating to check for internal injuries, fractures, or internal bleeding. Though there may be no visible wounds, the trauma inflicted on him could have caused significant harm. Ten days have now passed, making it much harder to gather accurate medical evidence for the court case.

The video itself is gut-wrenching, even without sound. However, the audio reveals the deafening blows and the abuser's uncontrollable rage—details that make this abuse even more horrifying.

Our Concerns
Sashi has spent the past ten days inside his abuser’s home, a place of danger. As a senior dog, he is vulnerable and unable to advocate for himself. We fear that any barking, accidents in the house, or other behaviors may have led to further abuse during this time.

Call to Action
It is our collective responsibility—rescue organizations, Animal Control, neighbors, and citizens—to protect those who cannot speak for themselves. We must hold animal abusers accountable for their actions.

We are urgently hoping for news that Sashi will soon be removed from his abuser’s home and placed on court hold in the safety of our local shelter. DDBBR is fully prepared to step in, providing Sashi with a loving foster environment and ensuring he receives thorough medical care and any treatment he may need.

Please continue to advocate for Sashi and share his story. Together, we can demand justice for him and ensure he gets the protection he deserves.

Your Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge donations at work today!  We took community owned pet, Scout, to Woodworth Animal Ho...
16/01/2025

Your Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge donations at work today!

We took community owned pet, Scout, to Woodworth Animal Hospital to be nuetered and vacinnated! He did great and according to vet tech, Bo, was a very good boy ♥️. We will be providing spay/neuter to the other 3 dogs here over the next few weeks. Next Wednesday we scheduled Bat Dad for his neuter.

15/01/2025

UPDATE 12:15pm: animal control called us but they will not share any information since it is an ongoing investigation. They did admit the dog was not seized when the police went out. We asked if Sachi was still with this man but they won’t disclose that information. We hope this dog is ok and safe. Looks like we need to wait for the court date to find out what happened to Sachi.
_________________________________

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT
The following describes a brutal attack on a senior pit bull, Sachi. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

We are sharing this to raise awareness about animal cruelty and to advocate for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws in our community. No animal should endure neglect or abuse, and it's vital to hold perpetrators accountable.

Background:
Recently, we were contacted by a concerned citizen in Albemarle County, Virginia, who witnessed her neighbor viciously attacking his dog, Sachi. Despite repeated reports of neglect spanning years, it appears that intervention has been inadequate.

Here are the details reported to us:

~The attack occurred on January 6th, 2025.
~Sachi has spent his entire life chained to a tree.
~He has a visible line scar around his back and belly, likely caused by the wire or steel cable he was chained with for years.
~Neighbors have reported neglect at this property for many years, dating back to at least 2007.
~Multiple complaints about chained and neglected dogs on this property were filed, but no meaningful action appears to have been taken.
~The abuser has a court date scheduled for March 18, 2025, charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
~We contacted Albemarle Animal Control to ask if Sachi was seized and to seek updates on the case.
~We checked with our local shelter to confirm is Sachi was there but he is NOT so we think (but have not confirmed with animal control) he was left at the home of the abuser and NOT SEIZED
~ We don’t believe (but have not confirmed) Sachi was taken to vet after this attack to provide medical evidence for the court date.

Call to Action:
We urge local authorities to:

Enforce the Care of Companion Animal codes in Virginia. These laws exist to protect animals, but without proper enforcement, they become meaningless.
Respond to community reports of animal neglect promptly and thoroughly. Eighteen years of inaction is unacceptable.
Ensure justice is served in this case and provide assurance that Sachi and other animals at this property are safe.
Please help us advocate for Sachi and other vulnerable animals by raising awareness and demanding accountability. No animal should suffer like this.

Adopted: Kokomo!From heartbreak to happiness—Kokomo’s journey is one for the books!She came to Dogs Deserve Better Blue ...
14/01/2025

Adopted: Kokomo!

From heartbreak to happiness—Kokomo’s journey is one for the books!

She came to Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge from Regional Animal Shelter - King William, Virginia after being seized by animal control for living her life tied to a tree. Severely emaciated and painfully shy, Kokomo struggled in the shelter. She was terrified of leashes, doorways, oscillating fans, and so much more. But with patience, love, and the guidance of confident dogs, her transformation began.

Step by step, Kokomo learned to face the world with bravery. From army-crawling on the ground to striding forward with growing confidence, she has become a beautiful example of what a little hope and a lot of heart can do.

Now, Kokomo is living her best life with her very own human and a wonderful doggie sister, Alice! The two are already as close as two peas in a pod, and we can’t wait to see their friendship bloom.

We are so grateful to King William Regional Shelter for giving Kokomo her first chance, to her fosters for showing her that life is full of joy, and to her adopter for giving her the happy ending she deserves.

We’ll miss that sweet face, but our hearts are bursting with happiness as she begins her next chapter.

Congratulations, Kokomo—here’s to the bright future ahead!

Update on the Buena Vista Chained Dogs:Despite multiple attempts, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge has yet to receive a fo...
12/01/2025

Update on the Buena Vista Chained Dogs:

Despite multiple attempts, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge has yet to receive a follow-up phone call from Animal Control, as requested on two separate occasions.

We were recently informed by a concerned citizen in Buena Vista that the dogs were temporarily off their chains and the kennel on the property was expanded today. While this is a positive step, we remain committed to ensuring that every dog on the property has access to warm, insulated, and adequate housing with straw bedding. Additionally, we want to verify that all dogs are current on their rabies vaccinations for public safety.

We plan to contact Animal Control again on Monday for a comprehensive report. Given the history of repeated reports about this situation over the years without meaningful action, we are determined to see this issue fully resolved.

DDBBR typically avoids publicizing these matters, but the lack of communication has left us no other option. We must be the voice for chained dogs who cannot advocate for themselves.

We ask only that those tasked with enforcing animal welfare laws fulfill their duties. The companion animal care codes are straightforward—this is not a complex issue. We urge those entrusted with this responsibility to act in accordance with their oaths.

We extend our gratitude to the Sheriff for their efforts and the progress made so far. However, we believe more remains to be done. DDBBR is ready and willing to provide insulated, code-compliant dog houses to ensure the safety and comfort of every dog on this property.

Thank you for your continued support in speaking up for the voiceless.

A Busy Day for DDBBR: Welcoming 11 PuppiesToday, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge welcomed 11 precious puppies into our ca...
11/01/2025

A Busy Day for DDBBR: Welcoming 11 Puppies

Today, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge welcomed 11 precious puppies into our care. Sadly, one of the little ones didn’t survive. A family we work closely with reached out to us after noticing that the mother had recently stopped allowing her puppies to nurse and no longer wanted them around.

Born on December 6th, these puppies are just shy of 5 weeks old. While we never separate puppies from their mom before 8–9 weeks unless absolutely necessary, this was a situation where immediate action was needed. Without their mother’s care, the puppies couldn’t nurse or thrive.

We’re incredibly grateful to our amazing puppy foster mom, Marie Ziccardy McCauley, who stepped up to provide these little ones with the best care imaginable. Her kindness and dedication are nothing short of remarkable.

We also want to thank the family for doing the right thing by reaching out for help. It takes courage to trust others in a difficult situation, and we’re humbled by their faith in us.

A big shoutout to Kelli Harvey for meeting me there today and helping assess the situation. Your expertise with puppies was invaluable and made such a difference.

For now, the puppies are warm, eating well, and receiving all the love and care they deserve. We’ll share updates soon. Thank you for your support as we give these little ones the best possible start in life. 💙

DDBBR will also be providing soay and neuter here so no more litters!

*** videos of them in the comments below since we can’t share photos and videos in the same post on Facebook.

Subject: Immediate Attention Needed for Chained Dogs in Buena Vista, VADogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge has been made awar...
11/01/2025

Subject: Immediate Attention Needed for Chained Dogs in Buena Vista, VA

Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge has been made aware of a concerning situation involving dogs in Buena Vista, VA (City of Buena Vista, not Rockbridge County). Multiple reports have been made to animal control regarding the living conditions of these dogs, yet no effective action appears to have been taken. Despite assurances that “everything was fine,” photographic evidence and observed conditions suggest clear violations of Virginia’s Care of Companion Animals Code.

Observed Violations:
1. Dogs left chained in sub-32°F temperatures.
• This is explicitly prohibited under Virginia law.
2. Dogs chained during a weather advisory.
• Extreme cold temperatures and snow are forecast for the next 48 hours, worsening the situation.
3. Inadequate shelter.
• Blue barrels and other makeshift housing without proper windbreaks fail to meet the state’s standards for companion animal care.
4. Frozen water likely.
• Though not visible in the photos, it is highly probable that water buckets are frozen, depriving the dogs of access to clean, drinkable water.

Additional Concerns:
• It is unclear if any straw or bedding is being provided in the barrels or housing. Without such insulation, the dogs are left vulnerable to the elements.
• Neighbors report hearing the dogs howling at night, an indication of distress and potential suffering due to the extreme cold.

DDBBR Attempts to Contact Authorities:
• January 9, 4:00 PM: Initial call to Animal Control. No response, as the ACO left for the day.
• January 10, afternoon: Follow-up call to Animal Control revealed they were unavailable for the weekend.
• January 10, 5:18 PM: Voicemail left with the Buena Vista Sheriff’s Office, as Animal Control falls under their jurisdiction. No response received at this time.

**** BV citizens have also called this in previous to our involvement

Request for Immediate Action:

Given the forecast for continued frigid temperatures and snow, we urge the Buena Vista Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control to prioritize this situation and perform a welfare check on these dogs immediately. These animals are in clear distress, and their current living conditions violate state laws designed to protect them.

Our Plea:

These dogs are voiceless. They rely on us—humans, taxpayers, and advocates—to ensure their safety and well-being. We ask that local officials enforce the law, protect these animals, and provide the community with transparency regarding the steps being taken

A Day with Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge: Rocky’s Vet VisitToday was a full and productive day with DDBBR! While some m...
10/01/2025

A Day with Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge: Rocky’s Vet Visit

Today was a full and productive day with DDBBR! While some moments were challenging, the highlight today was taking Rocky to the vet to address his skin issues. It was the easiest and most rewarding part of the day.

A big shoutout to our amazing vet partners at Animal Health Care Center P.C. for providing Rocky with the best medical care and showering him with love today! ♥️

Rocky is truly one of the happiest, most loving dogs around, and everyone agrees he’s a joy to be around. 🥰 During his visit, the medical team discovered a mite through a skin scrape. He’s now on a treatment plan that includes Bravecto, oral antibiotics, and medicated shampoo. They also packed his ears with medication to help heal his ear infection.

Rocky is back home with his family tonight, feeling much more comfortable. None of this would be possible without the generous donations to our community dog medical fund. This service is vital for many pet owners in our community who struggle to cover vet expenses.

To everyone who contributes—THANK YOU! Because of your support, Rocky is on the path to healing and living his best, happiest life.

SHOUT OUT to Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge board member and volunteer, Ginger Winters Staron, for putting together and ...
05/01/2025

SHOUT OUT to Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge board member and volunteer, Ginger Winters Staron, for putting together and delivering 2 shelters stuffed with straw for some outdoor kitties we recently met!

All of the cats on this property have been spayed/neutered by Cat's Cradle and Tracey Meadows with Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center has been assisting with food! Now that DDBBR has made new friends here we will also be assisting with food as needed.
🐈🐈🐈🐈

Yesterday’s No Empty Bowls pet food drive in Staunton was packed!  Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge volunteers gave out al...
05/01/2025

Yesterday’s No Empty Bowls pet food drive in Staunton was packed! Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge volunteers gave out all of the food within 40 minutes!
We served 66 households, distributing 58 bags of dog food and 48 bags of cat food. We also dustributed kitty litter and straw. Sadly, we ran out before everyone could be served.

Thanks to our NEB volunteers, Carol Stanton, Danny Link, Deb Kocher Koons & James Tait for braving the cold and serving the community yesterday!

As we look back on 2024 we are grateful for many things - especially the nearly 80 adoptions we celebrated this year!  A...
04/01/2025

As we look back on 2024 we are grateful for many things - especially the nearly 80 adoptions we celebrated this year! All of these stories hold a special place in our hearts, so we thought we'd share a few you may not have heard about yet. Who better to start with than, Capone - now lovingly known as George!

You may remember this happy-go-lucky, paw crossing fella, as he's the kind of dog who left an impression on everyone he met. Handsome, hunky, and full of charm, he quickly became a favorite at Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge. But despite his lovable personality, Capone stayed with us for over a year, waiting patiently for the perfect match.

Then, just when we wondered what the future held for him, Katie walked into his life—and everything changed. Today, George lives his best life with his amazing forever best friend. Whether he's snuggling on the couch, playing with friends, taking long walks, or simply soaking up all the love, George is finally where he belongs: in a home where he’s loved beyond measure. ❤️

We are endlessly grateful to , his incredible foster mom Kate, and his forever mom Katie for believing in Capone and giving him the happy ending he so deeply deserved.

George’s story reminds us why we do what we do. Every dog is worth the wait, and every happy ending makes the journey worthwhile.

Here’s to more tails like George’s in 2025. Thank you for being part of our mission and making miracles like this possible.

THANK YOU to all who donated to Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge’s recent fundraising drive for Little Girls orthopedic su...
02/01/2025

THANK YOU to all who donated to Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge’s recent fundraising drive for Little Girls orthopedic surgery! She is home with her family and recuperating.

We exceeded our fundraising goal for the surgery at Virginia Veterinary Specialists for Little Girl which allowed us to help another dog 💙

Bella is a community owned dog we visit. She had a large mammary tumor. Dr Kelly at Augusta Valley Animal Hospital removed the tumor and spayed her on Monday. She did well under anesthesia and is now back home recuperating 💙

We couldn’t do this work without the support of donors. WE APPRECIATE YOU!

Today Ginger & Kimberly visited Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge pup, Ollie, at his foster home. We had a mission today to...
30/12/2024

Today Ginger & Kimberly visited Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge pup, Ollie, at his foster home. We had a mission today to reinforce part of the fence in the back yard!

Sweet boy Ollie gave us all a scare recently when he found an area of the fence to dig out of and he took a walk about through the neighborhood. His little adventure gave many of us a few grey hairs from worry. Luckily, he trotted back home and is safe. ♥️🙏

We took Ollie off a chain over a year ago and he is doing amazing now! He has a BFF with his canine brother, Roscoe. They truly love each other and Ollie is so happy and loved!

Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge is happy to report that our cute little kitty, Cosette, got to spend her first Christmas ...
28/12/2024

Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge is happy to report that our cute little kitty, Cosette, got to spend her first Christmas in a wonderful home with her new family! (And, as you can see, she is making herself at home!).

Thanks to Blue Ridge Canine Safehouse for saving this darling little girl and her wonderful fosters for taking such great care of her while we searched for her forever. Cats deserve better too!

26/12/2024

The Remarkable Journey of Peanut: A Testament to Senior Dog Resilience

In August 2023, Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge welcomed Clyde—now affectionately known as Peanut—into our care. When he first arrived from Lunenburg County Virginia Public Animal Shelter, Peanut was considered a hospice case. The Animal Control Officer told us his prognosis was grim. He was unsteady on his feet, seemed cognitively impaired, and the vet estimated he might only have a month to live.

But Peanut had other plans.

Fast forward 16 months, and this sweet senior dog is defying the odds. Just this morning, he trotted down a long hill at the farm to help feed the barn cats with me, his spirit as lively as ever. It’s a transformation made possible by his amazing foster mom, who has been his unwavering advocate, and the skilled specialists at VVS, who have provided him with exceptional care.

Peanut’s story is a reminder of the resilience and joy that senior dogs can bring into our lives. While these older pets may not have the same amount of time as younger dogs, the quality of their remaining days can be extraordinary. They still have so much love to give and moments of joy to share.

For all of us at the farm, Peanut is a little ray of sunshine. His journey highlights the importance of giving senior dogs a chance. They may need a bit more care, but the rewards are immeasurable.

If you’re considering adding a furry friend to your family, don’t overlook the seniors. They might surprise you, just like Peanut has surprised us.

A Warm Thank You to the Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge Field Team!We want to send a heartfelt shoutout and a BIG thank y...
22/12/2024

A Warm Thank You to the Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge Field Team!

We want to send a heartfelt shoutout and a BIG thank you to our incredible DDBBR field team—Jill Rydlund Shatto, Mikah Danielle, Julie Rydlund, and Amy Smith! These amazing volunteers braved one of the coldest days of the year to lend a helping hand to a local family and their beloved pups, Scout and Rocky.

Thanks to their hard work and dedication, Scout and Rocky now have TWO spacious 10x20 pens to call their own. Each pen is equipped with an insulated dog house, cozy straw bedding, sturdy no-tip water buckets, food bowls, and brand-new collars—everything they need to stay safe and comfortable during the day.

The team also delivered food for all the animals on the property. While Scout and Rocky get to spend their nights inside, their new outdoor setup provides a safe, warm, and secure space for daytime play and relaxation.

We’re so thankful this family reached out to us and even more grateful for our dedicated volunteers who always rise to the occasion. Your commitment to helping our neighbors and their animals makes a world of difference.

Thank you, volunteers! Together, you’ve made this winter a little brighter for Scout, Rocky, and their family! 👏👏👏👏👏

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We are located in Smithfield, Virginia. For general information you can contact [email protected].

For information on volunteering or fostering you can contact [email protected]. For information on getting help for dogs in need and adoption information you can contact [email protected]. To report a chained or penned dog near you and ensure information gets directly into the caretaker's hands, find the address and fill out this form: https://dogsdeservebetter.org/resources-chained/