A Letter from Azure

Posted: November 20, 2025 by Kelli Hanson

When I think back to 2010, I remember sending out a simple plea for help. I didn’t have a plan; I just knew one dog needed saving. What happened next was only possible because people like you stepped forward. Your compassion turned one rescue into a community of thousands.
What has carried me through the years are the eyes of the animals who need us. The fear, the uncertainty, and the small glimmer of hope that reminds us why this work matters. They deserve safety and healing, and you help make that possible.
Fifteen years later, that same need is still here. And what gives me strength is knowing this mission is not mine alone. Every foster who opens their home, every volunteer who shows up, every supporter who believes in this work helps carry each life that comes through our doors. You make this work extraordinary.
Because of this community, you help families stay connected with the pets they love, ensure access to affordable care, and remove barriers that stand in the way of safety and stability. This is only the beginning, and it is just one small part of why, together, we are More Than Rescue.
Being More Than Rescue means supporting animals while also uplifting the people and communities who care for them. Since the beginning, more than 31,000 animals have been saved and we have hosted 12 Wellness Clinics that provided vital care to hundreds of pets in need. In the last year alone, we donated 28,000 pounds of food and supplies to families and, on average, took in 12 animals a day. Behind every number is a life you helped heal.
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One of those lives is Tad Arthur. When he arrived, he was fragile, afraid, and in pain. With care and time, he grew stronger. His eyes softened. His spirit returned. One day, he found the courage to wag his tail again. Today, he is safe and loved with his family. You made that possible.

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Today Only: Your Gift Is Matched

Give to the Max Day shapes what we can do in the year ahead. Thanks to a generous group of supporters, every dollar you give today will be matched, up to $80,000. Your gift will go twice as far for the animals and families who need you.

Your support expands access to pet care, strengthens families, and creates more stories like Tad’s.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for making hope possible. Because of you, Ruff Start Rescue will always be More Than Rescue.

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