rescue | springfling 6/30

Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love - Saving Danes in North Carolina

Shannon
Mar 24
3 min read

Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love Blog Announcement

Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love (GDFRL) is returning for their second Spring Fling! Their volunteers loved walking around and meeting all the different friendly vendors at their first Spring Fling. GDFRL is an extension of Ruff Love Rescue. They rescue great danes that are owner surrenders and strays, and find loving, "furever" homes for them.

Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love was founded in 2009 to address the significant need in the world of rescue: the emphasis of quality of rescues instead of just quantity. This organization believes that the handling of each case should be top quality, even at the expense of time or money, so that in the long run they are able to make a larger dent in the quantity of dogs they successfully save. This translates into happier dogs and happier adopters. Since 2009, GDFRL has been able to rescue over 725 dogs!

2025 was really busy for GDFRL's rescue, but they have been able to adopt out several dogs in the past year. Medically they have had several dogs with major issues that they were able to get fixed and adopt out. As a nonprofit, GDFRL relies on volunteers and donations. They have a waiting list of adopters who are waiting for a dog that suits their family structure to come into rescue. They hear about Danes who need to be rescued every day, but can only take in as many as our foster homes can handle. Learn more about how you can help, here.

At GDFRL, the well-being and happiness of every dog is top priority. They believe each dog should be in a foster home where they can be socialized and learn basic manners while their foster families learn about their personalities in a way that would not be possible in a kennel setting. This allows for an easier transition for both the Dane and their adopter, creating a higher success rate when matching dogs with adopters.

Meet Juniper!

Juniper is a young adult Dane (probably 3-5) who came to Great Dane Friends as a shelter pull/ stray. Since September she has slowly been learning to be confident, secure and be a happy dog! While still a little skittish at times, once she trusts you she wants nothing more than to snuggle up and be pet. She loves other dogs and is learning the ropes from her three foster Dane siblings. She is eager to please and learn, and with continued training will be an absolutely fantastic companion to whoever is lucky enough to adopt her!

Juniper is still learning that the world is a safe place, so she’ll need a patient, loving owner who can help her continue to build her confidence. Once she warms up, she’s incredibly affectionate — a total snuggle bug who adores her humans. She’s happiest with another friendly dog by her side to show her the ropes and loves wrestling and cuddling with her foster siblings.

Juniper has been great around kids of all ages, though she’d thrive best in a quieter home without lots of constant noise or activity. Her perfect match? An active family that’s home often or loves bringing their pup along for adventures. She’s learning that food and love are always there for her — and she’ll reward you with endless loyalty, warmth, and tail wags.

Juniper is ready to meet the patient, kindhearted family who will help her bloom into the confident, joyful dog she’s meant to be. Could that be you? Learn more about Juniper, here!

Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love is dedicated to transparency and will never place a dog with an adopter without disclosing any known medical or behavioral traits. They ensure all dogs in their rescue receive complete medical care prior to adoption and work with professional trainers when necessary. When it comes to GDFRL, you can adopt with confidence, knowing your new friend has received the care and attention they deserve.

Meet the other adoptable Great Danes on GDFRL's website! You can also follow them on their social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram.

You can also meet some of these gentle giants in-person at GDFRL's booth at Spring Fling this April!! Plus, browse through their handmade tug toys and other handmade items!

Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

2026 FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZBMS3x3S/

Blog: https://www.k9springfling.com/news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9springfling

Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue - Saving Senior Dogs

Shannon
Mar 22
3 min read

Rainbow Bridge Animal Rescue Blog Announcement

Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue is back for their fourth Spring Fling! This 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is devoted to saving and caring for senior dogs and those with serious health issues who have been abandoned at shelters- dogs just this side of "the Rainbow Bridge."

Terri Atkinson is the passionate founder of Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue, a nonprofit based in Middlesex, North Carolina, that is dedicated to giving senior dogs and those with significant medical needs a safe, loving place to live out their days. Under her compassionate leadership, the rescue has become a haven for dogs who are often overlooked—those who are elderly, ill, disabled, or simply out of time in the shelter system.

Terri has always been drawn to the ones who need the most care, the ones with missing legs, deformed kidneys, no eyes, one eye, missing an ear, no teeth, heart worm positive, saved from Korean meat markets and similar situations. She and her husband have been helping dogs since 2011, when Terri first got Princess Reagan Marie, a shih-tzu that was rescued in extremely poor condition from a breeder who was arrested for the horrible conditions her dogs were kept in.

What sets Rainbow Bridge Rescue apart is its unwavering focus on quality of life. Here, every dog is treated like family. Whether it’s cozy blankets, home-cooked meals, or just the quiet comfort of a gentle hand, Terri ensures each animal knows they are loved and valued. In a world that too often turns away from the most vulnerable, Rainbow Bridge stands as a promise—that no dog will be forgotten, and every final chapter will be written with kindness.

You can read more about "The Rainbow Bridge" in this article (completely unaffiliated with Spring Fling) that tells the whole story behind "the Rainbow Bridge." Whether you are hearing of this for the first time, or are familiar with it, this was a very interesting read: "The Rainbow Bridge: The True Story Behind History’s Most Influential Piece of Animal Mourning Literature."

"Every dog deserves to be cherished—especially at the end of their journey."

Adoptable Jabbo - Rainbow Bridge Animal Rescue — Adoptable, Jabbo!

Senior dogs and dogs with significant health care issues are typically not adopted due to the high cost of their medical needs or their advanced age. Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue will save these dogs from being euthanized and care for them in a home environment until they cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Most of these dogs are suffering from expensive medical issues and while treatment options may exist, they can be too expensive for many people to afford. That leads the dogs to be surrendered to shelters, where they are often euthanized because of their condition. Shelters have very few resources and many animals to care for so in order to help as many pets as possible, they have to make hard decisions. Additionally, they may not have the ability to keep up with medication schedules or the rigorous care that some medical conditions require.

This is where Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue steps in. They take those dogs into their care and do what others are not able to, for as long as the dog remains comfortable. Many can have a good quality of life until their time comes to cross the rainbow bridge and that is exactly what they get at Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue. Occasionally, adopters are found who are willing and able to take on the care of these special-needs dogs, but for the most part, they will remain with Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue until they cross the bridge.

Adoptable Seniors!

(as of 3/17/26)

View all of their adoptable dogs here! You can also learn more about their rescue on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Don't miss Rainbow Bridge Hospice Rescue at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre

Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

2026 FB event page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HZBMS3x3S/

Blog: https://www.k9springfling.com/news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k9springfling

Lab Rescue LRCP - Labrador Retriever Lovers, Look Out!

Shannon
Mar 21
3 min read

Lab Rescue is coming to Spring Fling 2025!

Lab Rescue LRCP is another returning Spring Fling rescue group and we are excited to see them again this year. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the United States, and unfortunately, that means a lot of them end up in rescues and shelters. Lab Rescue LRCP plays a vital role in keeping these incredible dogs off the street. They are looking forward to getting more exposure for Lab Rescue LRCP in NC and to network with other rescues at this year's Spring Fling!

Lab Rescue LRCP is an all-volunteer, foster based organization that works with Labrador Retrievers in the mid-Atlantic region. Their service area spans from Pennsylvania and Delaware through West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Labs that come into their care are all given veterinary care, including

Funfest Save the Date — Save the date for Lab Rescue LRCP's annual Dog Walk/Funfest

spay and neuter. They average 1,000 labs through their program each year!

They are considered a "virtual" organization because they span such a large area and only utilize foster homes. Their website has all kinds of information about Labrador Retrievers and, of course, the dogs they have available for adoption. Most of their dogs are fostered in Maryland and Virginia but they have supporters and adopters across their service area. In addition to the usual needs like donations and foster homes, groups like Lab Rescue LRCP rely heavily on volunteers to transport dogs to where they need to be. An open foster home may be a couple states away and the dog just needs someone to get them there. If fostering isn't for you, this may be a great way to help out!

Introducing adoptable Kuma!

"Meet Kuma, a 4-year-old black Lab mix. This sweet boy needs consistent exercise and daily enrichment. These aren’t optional for him, they’re essential. Kuma is a high-energy dog who thrives on human interaction, and when that need isn’t met, he can struggle to focus and listen.

Kuma is looking for someone who wants a constant companion. He does best with plenty of interaction, structure, and an owner who enjoys incorporating training and engagement into everyday life. He’s still working on his impulse control, but he’s making steady progress. Kuma also has a big bark that comes out when he’s excited.

He’s very friendly with people, though he can be a bit over-enthusiastic when meeting someone new. With structure and proactive handling, this is very manageable, but it may not be the right fit for every household.

Kuma will need a fenced yard where he can safely burn off his energy. He also benefits greatly from sniffing and enrichment activities that keep both his mind and body engaged.

He’s happiest when he gets this kind of stimulation consistently. While Kuma isn’t reactive to other dogs through a fence, he’s still working with his trainer/foster on being introduced to a calm, easygoing dog. For now, he would do best as the only dog in the home, but updates will be provided as he progresses.

Kuma’s ideal adopters will be committed to giving him the structure, interaction, and consistency he needs to succeed. A calm home, ongoing training, daily exercise and enrichment, and positive reinforcement for calm behavior will help him thrive. His trainer will also be available to support his adopters as they welcome this very good boy into their home!"

Make sure to check out Kuma's profile and more available dogs!

Learn more about the Lab Rescue LRCP on their website. Make sure to stop by their booth at Spring Fling and follow their social media channels, Facebook and Instagram to keep up with them!