#102 in United States, #11 in California
2216 Oberlin Rd Yreka CA 96097
Service areas:
Siskiyou County CA, Shasta County CA, Jackson County OR Josephine County OR, Klamath County OR
"The Rescue Ranch in Yreka CA operates with a level of compassion and competency that is nothing short of amazing. They rarely have less than 200 dogs in their care and yet they operate a no kill shelter and sanctuary. Their network extends well beyond county lines and there's very little they won't do to save and nurture the dogs. How they accomplish so much with so little staff is a testimony to the dedication they bring and the volunteers they depend on. They are truly a community based operation deserving of all the praise and support they receive."
— maureen h.
Volunteer / foster
"This rescue ranch is a wonderful place that cares for many dogs in need of a temporary home or shelter. I will be forever grateful to them for taking in our two big dogs after our home was destroyed in the Slater Wildfire in Happy Camp, Ca. My wife and I lived in a travel trailer for several months and it did not accommodate having our dogs with us. After we found a house to live in we were able to have our dogs rejoin us and they continue to be with us because the ranch bridged the gap for us having a suitable home for the dogs to live in. They continue to be with us happily. Thank you to the Yreka Rescue Ranch for making this happen."
— baxter e.
Supporter
"I have been working with Rescue Ranch since 2021. In that time, I have found that it is a no-kill shelter that truly cares about saving dogs and promoting responsible dog ownership. I am always impressed with the shelter staff's tireless devotion to the dogs. They do amazing work even as the number of dogs and puppies continues to climb: the facilities are clean, the dogs are loved and cared for, the adoption process is thorough. Rescue Ranch also offers a number of community programs to help dog owners: free Sunday socialization classes, spay/neuter assistance, community pet food bank, and more. It is the designated dog evacuation center for Siskiyou County."
— natalie g.
Staff member
"They took the time to help me find my perfect companion. 1 and a half years later and many travels all over the country I can’t think rescue ranch enough. Momma Luna June (formerly June) thanks rescue ranch too."
— dominiqe s.
Adoptee
"All three of my dogs are Rescue Ranch Alumni. Atlas received life saving treatment via Kitu’s fund, and is my wife’s soul dog. Stella and Lu which help complete my life. I cannot say enough about the Rescue, the staff, and the work they do for these dogs."
— david s.
Adoptee, Supporter
"Rescue Ranch is an amazing organization that provides many services to our rural northern California community. Not only are they the largest dog rescue in our county providing excellent care for the abandoned and neglected dogs in our community, finding them loving homes they provide many other critical dog support services. Support services include low cost spay/neuter program, community pet food bank, at cost microchips and free parvo distemper vaccinations. A special no interest loan program for emergency medical needs, free socialization and training classes every Sunday and many events and classes focused on teaching responsible dog care for children in our community. Finally, they are the Siskiyou County dog evacuation center and over the years have provided excellent care for our families and their dogs in need during wildfire evacuations."
— laura f.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Rescue Ranch is a great and caring organization! We adopted our dog from them and the process went very smoothly. They take the utmost care of the dogs they have and work to find them homes! Our granddaughters love volunteering there and are welcomed. The staff is very committed and the facility is amazing!"
— cathy w.
Adoptee, Supporter
"I love rescue ranch! I have a beautiful German Shepard I rescued there and you can tell they genuinely care about her future. There are free weekly socialization classes for all dogs who have been adopted there and they even have a thrift store that helps them receive more money for the dogs!"
— katherine q.
Adoptee
"I adopted my pup a year after my husband passed. They treated me so kind and made sure I got the dog right for me. During fires close to my house they took that same dog in for care while I found a place for myself to be safe. They help our community in so many ways that it would be so deserving for them to receive any recognition of any kind."
— susan b.
Adoptee
"Yreka Rescue Ranch is an important organization. They have cared for thousands of dogs. They are a respected part of the community."
— sheila g.
Supporter, Fan
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
Discover the German Shepherd Dog, a breed celebrated for its intelligence, loyalty, and versatility. Known for its impressive size and smooth, graceful movements, German Shepherds excel in various roles, including as guide, therapy, bomb detection, and police dogs, while being a devoted family companion.
Discover the Labrador Retriever, a breed celebrated for its playful nature, affectionate temperament, and trainability. Labradors are known for their friendly demeanor and adaptability, making them perfect family companions and versatile working dogs. As one of the most popular types of retrievers, Labs are ideal companions for various lifestyles and are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an excellent breed for families.
Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
Discover the Australian Shepherd, an AKC breed celebrated for its trainable, playful, and affectionate nature. Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is actually a native breed to the United States, originally developed to breed on farms and ranches. Considered a medium dog, Australian Shepherds were bred for herding beginning in the 1950s. As one of the high-energy breeds, Aussies are known for their boundless energy and need for regular exercise, including aerobic exercise.