PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - A German shepherd and Belgian Malinois rescue in Port St. Lucie that rehabilitates and trains dogs slated for euthanasia was among those hit hard by flooding in Florida earlier this month, and its owner is now seeking help to repair the damage, WPBF reported.
Renegade Rex K9 Ranch is a nonprofit that specializes in “high drive working breeds,” and its website notes that it focuses on “dogs pulled from euthanasia lists” and works to retrain them for their forever homes.
A video posted to the nonprofit’s official Instagram account earlier this month showed severe flooding at the ranch, with the caption reading in part, “Water has pushed straight into our home, leaving about 2 inches of standing water throughout our entire 1,600-square-foot facility.” The post also noted that repairs to the damaged walls and floors are estimated at roughly $20,000.
Law Enforcement Today spoke with Mike Nepola, the owner and founder of Renegade Rex K9 Ranch, who described the damage caused by the flooding.
“Every wall needs to be replaced, at least two feet up, it’s going to be tough. And I’ve got all these dogs, and the puppies,” Nepola said, adding, “I’m just going to have to get it done, because otherwise - we can’t let it go too long - because then everything turns to mold, and toxic stuff starts forming and growing.”
Among the rescue’s recent success stories, two of its dogs are slated to join police departments in Florida, and two more are heading to North Carolina for police K9 work. According to Nepola, about 10 dogs from his rescue have been adopted to date by officers who intend to train them for police work.
Nepola’s rescue has seen success with police agencies welcoming the dogs he’s saved from euthanasia, and he hopes more law enforcement agencies will be open to working with shelter dogs that have the potential to serve as loyal K9s.
Though the damage and repairs are daunting, Nepola is grateful for the support he’s received locally, saying, “These people out here have been so helpful and generous.” He emphasized that everything, from sharing his story to the smallest of donations, is appreciated.
Donations can be made through the nonprofit’s official website, where donors can make a one-time or recurring donation to help with the repairs and help find these rescued dogs their future homes.
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