2025 Year in Review
2025 was an exciting milestone year for Red Leash Rescue- our 10 year anniversary! We are so proud to say that since starting Red Leash in 2015 we are closing in on our 1,000th adoption! Unfortunately, 2025 was also a very challenging year. Along with many of our rescue peers as well as the local shelters we work with, everyone was seeing much lower application rates for dogs leading to much longer turnaround times for adoptions. That meant that some dogs were with fosters for 3-5 months instead of 3-5 weeks. As you can imagine, this greatly reduces the amount of dogs we are able to adopt out. To complicate even further, many of the dogs came to us with extreme health issues, requiring more extensive vetting and major surgeries. Even in this challenging environment we are proud to say we have adopted more than 45 adult, senior and hospice dogs to loving homes this year. Below please read about some of our amazing success stories.
A Tearful Reunion
Back in March we got an urgent call from a local shelter. After being found wandering the streets in Bridgeport, a 16 year old Yorkie needed out of the shelter ASAP. He was neglected, matted and his teeth were rotting and painful. Shortly after he came to us, it was discovered that he had been stolen 12 years ago (when he was just 4 years old). When the shelter scanned his chip it kicked off an email to his owners who contacted us a week after we pulled him. They had been desperately searching for him for years! His owners, who had lived in New York back then, now resided down south but were so excited to get their dog back they immediately made arrangements to fly up! The reunion was emotional for all of us- so amazing to be able to reunite a senior dog with his owners.
Before & After
Flash
In May, we received a call from a woman letting us know that her neighbor was not able to care for his dog. When Flash arrived we were startled! This friendly little chihuahua was hardly able to walk with a cantaloupe-sized tumor dragging on the ground. As quickly as we could, we scheduled a surgery to remove this mass and give him a fresh start. It turned out the tumor had been growing for 2 years, originating from an undescended testicle, had he been neutered, this never would have happened. Surgery was complicated but it was a success and Flash began his lengthy recovery process. It took some time but Flash went from being walked in a stroller to hiking in the woods! His foster could not believe the change in him! Once he was ready, he found his forever home and is living his best life!
Monty
Monty came to our rescue directly from his owner after a call from the local shelter. The owner was homebound in a small trailer and was unable to walk. So Monty had not been outside in quite some time. His eyes were horrible as medication could not be administered. He was severely overweight due to almost complete inactivity. Monty started his journey with a shave down at the vet. Once the foster began to give him all of the eye medication he needed, his eyes started to look much better, though vision was minimal. Slowly he would walk and keep moving and over a couple months the transformation was amazing- his weight began to drop and he was doing so well. Unfortunately he suffered a setback and had to have a surgery to remove his eyes after a conjunctival carcinoma diagnosis. Complete removal gave him the best chance of being cancer free. Monty then found the most loving family to call his own- they had no problem adopting this sweet boy with no eyes. So heartwarming!
We were so proud to be honored by the amazing volunteer group that supports Stratford Animal Control at their annual Gala. S.T.A.R.S. (Stratford Animal Rescue Society) recognized Red Leash with a Friends to Animals Award for the work we have done in partnership with the shelter over the past year. We love working with Stratford and are honored they trust us to find homes for some of their older dogs.
Community Engagement
Red Leash Receives Award
Fancy Photo Shoot
A few months ago Red Leash participated in a fun professional photoshoot with one of our partners, Delamar Hotels. Both in the launch of the Westport hotel and in the Southport location, Red Leash brought some of our crew to take some fun photos highlighting the dog friendly policy of this great hotel collection. The hotel has generously donated a portion of the money they charge for pets to stay with them to Red Leash Rescue. We are so grateful!
A Holiday Punch
As a new promotion this holiday season, the fabulous local Westport restaurant Kawa Ni decided to design and feature a special drink for the month of December and donate all proceeds to Red Leash Rescue. It’s called Boone’s Punch in honor of the owner’s beloved dog Boone, lost too soon. They are also planning to run a food drive. We love this creative way they have decided to help out their local community!
In Memoriam
Saying goodbye is always hard, this year we lost 26 of our Red Leash Family. Goodbye to Sylvia, Betsey Ross, Penelope,Sherwood, Dolly, Kane, Quinn, Hoss, Scruffy, Otto, Chance,Vinny, Molly, Bobby, Robyn, Mindy, Cozy, Sky, Nina, Quinn 2, Walter, Gigi, Rocky, Joe, Ramona and Charlie. Each dog was special to so many people and they've left a ripple in the world that extends far past their lifespan. Knowing each passed in the arms of someone who loved them is the very reason we exist.
Supporting Our Mission
As 2025 comes to a close we humbly ask you to consider Red Leash Rescue as the recipient of your end of year donations so we can keep this pace going- together we can make a difference…one dog at a time. You can use the QR codes below or find links and mailing address on our website donation page: Donate — Red Leash Rescue
