Betty White Challenge for Josie's Misfit Ranch

Josie's Misfit Ranch is a new non-profit corporation in Washington State (UBI number 604 843 781) with a Vision to reduce the number of abandoned, re-homed, abused and euthanized animals in Kittitas County and surrounding areas deemed as “difficult to place” due to physical or behavioral issues. We provide training, medical support, foster care and adoption services for hard-to-adopt animals so they can successfully transition into forever homes and live their best lives. We have also filed for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS, which is pending approval (and can take up to 18 months).

We have a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors made up of animal advocates from Kittitas, Yakima and Chelan counties who are working to build a rescue that will change the lives of animals in need, as well as the loving families who adopt them. But we need your help! For us to build our rescue, we need seed money to establish funding for veterinary care, food, and other needs for these animals. We also need money to pay for start up costs such as insurance.

We are one of only three rescues in Kittitas County, and all rescues in Washington state are at capacity and turning animals away. The faster we can build a group of supporters, the faster we can help ease their burden and start helping more animals.

We ask that on or around Jan. 17, which would have been Betty White's 100th birthday, that you make a donation in her honor to help us reach our goals. Betty White dedicated much of her life to being an advocate for animals, and this is a wonderful way to honor her memory. Jan. 17 is also Martin Luther King Day, in which we are reminded to dream of a better world and to help our community. Every dollar matters! So please, give what you can.

Thank you for being a friend to misfit animals!

More information about Josie's Misfit Ranch:

Josie’s Misfit Ranch is a volunteer and foster home based rescue that cares and advocates for misfit animals in Kittitas County and surrounding areas. “Misfit” animals are wounded in body or spirit who have been discarded, mistreated or ignored because they are considered less than “perfect.” We show these animals the love and compassion they deserve, build their confidence, and focus on all they can do instead of what they can’t.

We act as champions for our animals,* their foster families, and their forever families at every stage of the rescue and adoption process, including providing training and ongoing support. By building the skills and confidence of all involved - the animal, foster family and forever family - we are building a more successful adoption experience and reducing the chances the animal will be surrendered again. We partner with other rescue organizations to provide training for their fosters; we are all in this together. Our hope is to build a community where people value these animals and treat them with respect and kindness, as well as help them reach their full potential.

*We primarily serve dogs and cats at this time, but may expand to other animals in the future.

Primary Goals of Our Organization:

• Provide medical care, foster care and training to “misfit” animals - those who have behavior problems, or physical limitations - and who have been mistreated, discarded or ignored. These animals are at a greater risk of being euthanized as they are often overlooked by potential adopters.

• Train fosters - both those who support our organization and those who are supporting other rescues - in the care and training needs of these animals. With the goal of improving the fostering experience and to help prepare the animals for their forever home, we will provide an in-depth and tailored training program. This approach is meant to reduce burn-out in fosters, as well as reduce the number of animals returned to rescues or shelters due to the lack of adequate preparation and guidance.

• Support forever families in the understanding and ongoing training and care of “misfit animals” so they may have the best relationship with their animals, and ensure the animals continue to thrive.

• Partner with targeted groups (such as college students pursuing careers in animal care) to build knowledge and support for special needs animals.

The Story Behind the Misfits:

Josie is a beautiful redheaded diva from North Carolina, who was saved by Love Mutts Rescue just hours before she was scheduled to be euthanized. She was adopted by Marla Pugh, who had previously been a crazy cat lady, but wanted to expand her lunacy to dogs as well. Josie became Marla’s best friend, serving as her family when she lived away from her human one. Josie and Marla settled into their 10-acre ranch located in Ellensburg, Washington in 2019. Inspired by her love for Josie, Marla vowed to help other animals and connected with Mikey’s Chance Rescue in the Tri-Cities. It was through this partnership where she fell in love with special needs animals. Marla added to her pack with Xander, a one-eyed German Shepherd; Loki, a miniature German Shepherd whose legs were deformed from birth; and Sophie, a German Shepard who has a troubled past and lost half her sight to pannus, a degenerative eye condition. Over the years, Marla fostered several animals – most with special needs. Due to the outpouring of love and support from her amazing network of friends and family, Marla realized she could help even more animals by opening her own rescue and Josie’s Misfit Ranch was born in December 2021.