Who are we?

The TIRR Rescue founders, Roy and Cindy Hughes, have created an environment where a dog can be a dog, or sometimes learn to be a dog. Some TIRR dogs are typical rescue dogs, who have unexpectedly lost their family, so they need a place to crash while a forever home can be found. Other TIRR Rescue dogs need intensive physical and/or behavioral care after surviving a trauma (or years of trauma). A $7000 hip surgery so the dog can walk again, YES! A tiny puppy from a stray, malnourished litter, who needs to have a front leg "re-built" so she can lead a normal life, YES! A senior dog who has lived 12 years tied up under a porch in the Texas heat, who simply wants a soft, clean place to rest, but also deserves to know love, and enthusiastically learns to love a recliner, YES! A dog who is so traumatized by the loss of his brother that he destroys every square inch of sheet rock in his path, YES! TIRR Rescue will help these dogs. IT IS THE WAY THAT TIRR RESCUE HELPS THESE DOGS THAT IS UNIQUE. For medical issues, an empty bank account will not impede access to care - the medical care will take place and the TIRR Community will rally their support until the bank account catches up. For behavioral issues, the dogs of TIRR are assessed through Roy's acute understanding of canine behavior. Sometimes the dog's rehabilitation comes from Roy, Cindy, Amber, Aimry, or a volunteer, each of which bring unique talents to the program, but many times, the rehab comes from a carefully constructed play group of canine peers. It is so beautiful to watch a dog help another dog learn to function in this very confusing and difficult world of humans. Some rescues have fosters, some rescues have shelters, TIRR Rescue has the power of the Pack.

Mission

Inspired by the tenacity of the Ridgeback breed from which we take our name, and one very special Ridgeback 20 plus years ago, Texas Independent Rhodesian Ridgeback (TIRR) Rescue's mission is the care and rehabilitation of large breed dogs. No breed is arbitrarily excluded. Additionally, our mission is to educate the public on the importance of researching the breed before getting a rescue dog, spaying/neutering, and understanding the requirements of large dogs and especially dogs who have experienced undue stress. As time progresses the emphasis of our Mission trends towards the care of senior dogs and the enhancement of life quality. In cases where dogs cannot adapt to current society, we provide sanctuary that maintains the highest quality of life.