Renegade Paws Rescue hopes recent upgrades improve environment for its pets & increase adoptions

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Following recent storm damage and heavy rainfall in the area, along with past hurricanes-- Renegade Paws Rescue has received some very generous donations to make some much-needed repairs and renovations to their site.

WTOC got an inside look at the new additions, and how they will go to help adoptions.

“A lot of it is about perception, and when people feel comfortable and things are well maintained, in their mind, it affects how they see the dog itself. They don’t see this dog that may have been a stray its whole life; They see a family dog,” said the Foster Coordinator at Renegade Paws Rescue, Garrett Schuller.

He says the enviornement when potential adopters come and visit with the dog, helps set the tone of the meeting. Adding that a nice grass yard is a huge upgrade from the previous area they had.

“Basically, anytime we have heavy downpour, all of these yards used to get waterlogged. They were mostly like mud and dirt, and it’s both not safe for the dogs, but also it’s causing damage to the building itself. So, that was kind of where the idea first came up,” said Schuller.

Multi-pupose play equipment, a puppy pool and some recently donated agility equipment have been added to the multiple yards Renegade has now.

It also gives dogs in their care more opportunity to socialize with other dogs so they can be ready for a home.

“It feels good to put the dogs as a priority, but also it feels good to be able to show people how much we care about the dogs by how good the facility looks. Some of these dogs have never seen the inside of a home before, they’ve never had an owner, they lived out on the street, or they were a stray,” said Schuler.

So what’s really powerful about people doing this is - it means everything to these dogs! This is their life for right now until they find their adopter. It’s not just like they can go home when they want, so it means a lot if they have a nice environment to play in.

Foster Coordinator at Renegade Paws Rescue, Garrett Schuller.

All of these rennovations and upgrades were made possible through generous donors and animal advocates.

“It’s entirely donors, and one thing that we’re really blessed at Renegade is that we have some really generous people who donate their own money to take care of these animals,” added Schuller.

Sun shades are next on the list, to partially hide the dogs from heat and the sun.

There’s also a private sit down area inside one of the yeards that potential families can bring their own dog in, to meet their potential future sibling.

“I really do think it’s going to be more effective in making people realize - these could be your animals. They don’t have to be a shelter animal; they could be your forever dog, when they already see them in a backyard setting” said Schuler.

If you’re interested in getting involved with Renegade, whether thats donating, fostering, or coming play with dogs for the day-- reach out to them directly by phone or on their Facebook page.

For a full list of the adoptable dogs at Renegade, click here.

To check out Renegade’s adoptable cat, Mr. Penny, click here.

To get in contact with staff there, click here.