Help Rizn Ranch’s Second Chance LGDs Rebuild After the Modrite Fire

On Saturday, July 18, the Modrite Fire came onto our property near Inchelium, Washington, changing our lives in a matter of minutes.

Within minutes of the fire cresting the hill southwest of our property, embers ignited fires throughout our land. The place we had spent years building — our home, our working ranch, and the foundation of our livestock guardian dog rescue — was suddenly threatened by wildfire.

We are incredibly grateful that our home was spared with only minimal smoke damage and, most importantly, that our animals survived.

During the fire, our community showed up for us in ways we will never forget. Another livestock guardian dog breeder stepped in and safely cared for our dogs for several days, while friends and fellow animal caretakers helped us protect and care for our other animals.

Many of you have already seen the video of the fire and have reached out with kindness, prayers, and offers of support. We cannot adequately express how much that has meant to our family.

While we were able to save what mattered most, the wildfire destroyed much of the infrastructure that allows us to safely care for our animals and continue our mission.

About Rizn Ranch’s Second Chance LGDs

Rizn Ranch is home to our family, our animals, and Rizn Ranch’s Second Chance LGDs, a livestock guardian dog rescue dedicated to helping LGDs find the right homes based on their individual personalities, temperament, and needs.

Before starting our rescue program, we spent nearly a decade as livestock guardian dog breeders. During that time, we learned that successful placements are not about simply letting someone pick a dog — they are about understanding each dog as an individual and creating the right match between the dog, the family, and the environment.

In 2020, we saw a growing need for livestock guardian dogs needing help. Many people had entered homesteading and rural living without realizing the challenges involved, and some dogs had been placed without the support and understanding needed for success.

We saw a need and chose to pivot from breeding into rescue work.

Over the last three years, we have helped hundreds of livestock guardian dogs find better outcomes.

What makes our program different is that we do not simply place a dog and hope for the best. We evaluate each dog’s personality, temperament, and behavior, including interactions with livestock, so families can make informed decisions and dogs have the best chance of succeeding.

We stand behind every dog we place. If a placement is not the right fit or a family’s circumstances change, our dogs always have a place to come back to. We continue mentoring and supporting our families throughout the dog’s life because successful placements require ongoing support.

Why Rizn Ranch Means So Much to Us

Rizn Ranch is more than a piece of property. It represents rebuilding, second chances, and creating a safe place for those who need one.

Our family’s story is also one of starting over. After a difficult chapter in our lives, my children and I had to rebuild and find our way forward. Livestock guardian dogs became an important part of that journey, and the ranch became a place where we could create something positive.

After I remarried, we returned to the farm and spent the last four years rebuilding it from the ground up — restoring the property, creating a home for our family, caring for animals, and building Rizn Ranch’s Second Chance LGDs.

Today, our ranch is home to our four children, our family, livestock guardian dogs, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, and cats.

The wildfire took away much of the physical infrastructure we worked so hard to build, but it did not take away the mission.

What Was Lost

The fire destroyed critical infrastructure, including:

* A 48 × 110 post-and-roof hay barn

* A 48 × 24 loafing shed with livestock stalls

* Livestock corrals, fencing, gates, and handling equipment

* Large portions of perimeter fencing

* Livestock water systems, pumps, and related infrastructure

* Stored hay and animal supplies

* Kennels, feeders, tools, equipment, and emergency supplies

* Lumber, fencing materials, and farm resources collected over years

* Garden and orchard areas that took years to establish

Our Rebuild Goal

Our goal is to raise $125,000 to begin rebuilding the critical infrastructure needed to safely care for our animals and restore Rizn Ranch’s Second Chance LGDs.

The first priorities are:

Restoring safety before winter

* Secure fencing and animal containment areas

* Reliable water systems

* Safe shelter for animals

Rebuilding essential ranch infrastructure

* Hay storage

* Livestock shelter

* Corrals and handling areas

Restoring our rescue capacity

* Safe kennel areas

* Spaces to evaluate and support dogs

* The ability to continue matching livestock guardian dogs with the families and working environments where they can thrive

We know we cannot rebuild everything overnight. Our goal is to restore the essentials first so we can safely care for the animals already depending on us and reopen our doors to the dogs who need a second chance.

If you are able to donate, share this fundraiser, or simply help spread the word, we are deeply grateful. Every share helps us reach someone who may be able to help us rebuild.

Thank you for standing with Rizn Ranch, our family, our animals, and the livestock guardian dogs who still need us.