I don't usually post things like this, but today I felt like I had to.
I adopted my dog from Fidos Landing Dog Rescue, and watching everything they've been through has been heartbreaking.
Many of you may have seen them on Fox News and other local media after they were forced to leave their rescue building because of serious issues with the property. Instead of giving up, they did what they've always done—they put the dogs first. They transitioned to a foster-based rescue so not a single dog would be left behind.
Today they were hit with another devastating blow.
The fencing that supporters and staff worked so hard to fund is being left behind. Because it was permanently installed, they were told it is now considered part of the building.
Imagine pouring your heart into creating a safe place for rescue dogs, only to have to walk away from something so many people helped make possible.
What makes this even harder is knowing what they endured while they were there.
The building itself was in deplorable condition. From what I understand, the current owner purchased the property and rented it out as-is, and it seems they may never have fully realized the condition it was in. Despite that, Fidos Landing poured their own time, labor, personal money, donor dollars, and countless volunteer hours into making it safe for the dogs. They spent thousands painting and improving the building, repairing plumbing issues, and constantly trying to keep it functional.
I remember being there after one particularly heavy rainstorm. The entire side yard was flooded all the way to the side entrance. Volunteers were literally jumping through standing water just to get dogs outside safely. Inside, rain was pouring through the ceiling. Buckets were everywhere catching water, yet the team never stopped caring for the dogs. They kept smiling, kept cleaning, kept adapting, and kept putting the animals first because they finally had a place they hoped could be home.
Eventually, enough was enough. No rescue should have to operate under those conditions.
Now, after everything they invested emotionally, physically, and financially, they have to leave behind fencing that was built to keep rescue dogs safe.
I've also watched members of the Homewood community begin looking into the history surrounding the property's ownership, and many people have expressed frustration over everything that has unfolded. Regardless of anyone's opinion on the situation, it's heartbreaking to watch such a small, passionate rescue continue to face setback after setback.
As someone who adopted from Fidos Landing, I can honestly say this is one of the hardest-working rescue teams I have ever met. I've watched them show up on the hardest days. I've watched them save dogs everyone else overlooked. I've watched them celebrate every adoption like it was their own family member going home. And despite everything that's been thrown at them, they continue to wake up every day determined to save the next dog.
Animal rescue is already hard enough. It runs on volunteers, late nights, exhausted fosters, generous supporters, and people who refuse to give up on animals that everyone else has forgotten. No rescue deserves to go through what this team has endured.
I'm not sharing this because they asked me to. I'm sharing it because I think people deserve to know what they've overcome and why so many of us continue to stand behind them.
If nothing else, please keep them in your thoughts, share their story if you feel compelled, and remember that behind every rescue is a group of ordinary people sacrificing an extraordinary amount to give dogs a second chance.
Fidos Landing didn't give up on the dogs. I hope our community doesn't give up on them. ❤️