Waggle Rescue Spotlight: Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab

Each scar on Arlo's face pointed to a past that was grim, even gruesome. The pit bull mix's future appeared bleak. He was alone, limping, and struggling to walk on the Ute Mountain Reservation in Colorado. Luckily for Arlo, someone found him and contacted Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab, who saw hope in his soulful eyes.

Arlo is one of nearly 1900 dogs the nonprofit organization has saved since they started in 2017. The group is dedicated to helping animals and supporting Native Americans of the Four Corners reservations in the Southwestern United States; that's where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. "If you look at a map, that point is someplace you can literally go stand with one foot in all four states at the same time," Katy Gullette, who founded the rescue, tells Waggle.

The Four Corners region is home to The Navajo Nation, which alone spans 27,000 square miles, an area bigger than the state of West Virginia. Several other tribes have reservations in the area, and all struggle with poverty, and a lack of basic services.

"A third of the homes don't have running water or electricity. Some children do homework by the dome light of a truck or a kerosene lantern, " Katy says. "The unemployment rate is over 50 percent. Most roads are dirt. Residents often spend hours every week hauling water from community wells that are sometimes a couple of hours away. It's completely beyond the understanding of most Americans who can't imagine not flipping a switch for a light to come on or turning a faucet to get water."

There are a reported 250,000 stray dogs on the Navajo Nation alone, which has resulted in tragedies for people and animals. The staggering numbers made national news headlines this summer after packs of dogs, that are often feral, attacked and killed a teenager living in the area.

The dogs are constantly breeding because there are few spay and neuter resources, and officials can't keep up with the growing population. Animal control officer Gregory Pahe is quoted in U.S. News and World Report saying, “A lot of times, these dogs live out in the hills, in the canyons, so they don’t know any other way except to be feral." 

Underdog Animal Rescue and Rehab

Underdog Rescue is an underdog. The group tries to make a huge difference in helping a daunting animal overpopulation problem; the issue is one reason why Katy started the organization. "There comes a time when you just have to say to yourself, 'I've seen enough of this tragedy, and just wishing it wasn't so isn't enough, it's time to act,'" she says. 

Many dogs they save are like Arlo, injured or sick. It was clear Arlo had been through a lot of trauma. His sweet face was covered in scars, and one of his back legs was fractured. "We don't know how the injury happened. It was pretty horrific and severe," Chiara S., who helped manage Arlo's care for the rescue, tells Waggle. 

The group brought Arlo to their "Rescue Ranch" in Moab, UT, and raced him to their veterinarian at Mill Creek Animal Hospital. "We're not sure what would have happened to Arlo if Underdog didn't step in to rescue him," Chiara says. "Underdog was faced with a $2,000 surgery to fix his leg, and we didn't even blink. This boy deserves another chance to run on all fours, play comfortably with other dogs, and jump onto the couch for snuggle time." 

Underdog launched a Waggle campaign to help raise money for Arlo's surgery that one of Waggle’s partners, Dogs of Instagram (@dogsofinstagram), posted about to their nearly 5 million followers. Soon the rescue had the $2000 they needed for Arlo's surgery.

Why Underdog Depends on Donations 

Since so many of the dogs roam freely, the group takes in many that have been shot because they were mingling in someone's livestock and other dogs that have been hit by cars. "Typically, we see dogs that have been run over because the only shade they could find was under a person's truck. Then the truck drives off and runs over them. Or they're hit on the side of the road while they're out looking for food," Katy says.

Underdog depends on donations to provide the medical care the animals need. They just took in more than a dozen unvaccinated puppies that came down with Parvo, a potentially fatal canine virus. The pups needed expensive critical care. "We couldn't do what we're doing without donations. The more we raise, the more medical cases we can take on," Caroline D., with the rescue, tells Waggle.

The rescue also provides medical care and vaccinations for dogs and cats who live in the region and assists owners who can't afford it. "People struggle to feed their families, let alone their pets," Katy says. "There are vast stretches of land with no shade, no stores, and no veterinarian care."

In just one day, the organization's mobile spay-neuter clinic can perform surgery on about 50 animals. "We find when we're in these communities that we are sold out, and we have long waiting lists," Katy says. "People want to be able to

 do the right thing for their pets. They just don't have the ability to do it. There are no resources. When you realize there are two vets serving the entire Navajo Nation, and the poverty rate is as high as it is, it makes more sense why the problem has gotten out of hand."

Underdog Rescue saves between 1000-1200 animals per year, with only four full-time staff members leading the efforts. They are now working to adopt dogs out through rescue partners in other parts of the U.S. so more dogs can be moved off the reservations.

"When a dog or pup gets adopted into a home that is going to love and care for them for life, the happy tears flow around here," Katy adds. "When we get follow-up pictures and messages from the adopters of unsocialized or scared dogs that have become the life of the party or just simply fit in perfectly with the family they joined, it keeps us going through the rough days." 

Where is Arlo Today? 

Arlo’s days of wondering where he will get his next meal or drink of water are long behind him. He is now healed up and happy. The couple who cared for him through his surgery and lengthy recovery decided they could not part with Arlo and adopted him!  

He loves going out on the boat with his human dad and new dog sibling. His face is relaxed, and he grins from ear to ear.

Katy says each day she wakes up ready to save the next Arlo, the next litter of sick puppies or dogs struggling on the side of the road. She's dedicated to making a difference. "There is nothing like the love you get from a truly rescued dog. The love and gratitude they show every day makes the whole, sometimes heartbreaking process of rescue work, worthwhile."

Want to Know How You Can Help or Get Involved with Underdog? 

If you want to learn more about how Underdog Animal Rescue & Rehab helps save animals in the Southwest, visit their website at underdogrescuemoab.org. Underdog is one of many shelters and rescues making a difference across the nation. You can make a difference too! Make a donation and help save an animal's life by joining our FurEver Fund.

If you are a shelter or nonprofit group with veterinary bills you need to pay, don’t panic! Get the support you need by uploading a campaign at www.Waggle.org today and we can help!