Let us introduce you to your new best friend.
Rescue
Why rescue a dog? Because every dog needs a loving home. Dogs do not need to end up in shelters, be fought against other dogs, be dumped out in farmland, or sold to a research lab. For centuries dogs have been our close companions. Let’s keep that mindset.
Placement
We try to match up the right dog for the right home and family. We evaluate each dog as best we can so that we can pass along our findings. We have lots of questions, a long application, and we do home checks. We follow you and the dog forevermore, making sure you are all happy together.
Promise
We promise to always help and support both you and the dog you rescue!
~ Dogs Available for Adoption ~
Look Who’s Coming … Teasers
Dogs listed below may have been spoken for, tentatively placed or still going through vetting. Feel free to reach out about any of them, though!
~ Adopted Dogs ~
BUSTER
11/16/23 - Buster was in foster care with another rescue for a long time … They did not have Ridgeback connections and were unable to find him a home. We took him in - this boisterous, happy boy with the full ridge - and kept him safe until the perfect adopter came along. Buster reminded his new dad of his former dog, and he was delighted to take this big guy into his home. Buster really lucked out in joining an active, fun family!!
TASHA
11/11/23 - This young girl and another came to us from an out-of-state puppy mill. At 3 1/2 years old, Tasha had produced many puppies. She lived in a cramped kennel outdoors and was not well-socialized. A sad plight for a beautiful and sweet dog. After some minor vetting and adjustments, Tasha has gone off to her new home, with a big brother RR to show her the ropes! She is fascinated by indoor life and is learning new things every day! Just in time for the holidays …
ABBY
11/11/23 - Abby recently celebrated her fifth birthday in rescue, out of the puppy mill from where she came. Abby and another girl came into rescue after the breeder was done with them. She had lived outdoors while producing puppies and was not well-socialized. Abby did well in rescue and was recently sent off to her new, Ridgeback-experienced home, where we are certain she will flourish! Nothing will be too good for this deserving girl.
RUSSELL
11/10/23 - This spunky young border collie chose the right property to show up, whether lost or dumped or… Only Russell knows for sure. Not a Ridgeback, but of course he was given a warm and safe place to stay at Rincal headquarters while on the required shelter hold. We shared his photos and info and a perfect home appeared for him! He is off loving his new life with a woman totally devoted to his well being. Smart boy, Russell!!
NASH
11/14/23 - Handsome and remarkably mature for his age, Nash came to Rincal due to illness in his family. We were very grateful that they entrusted his well-being to us, especially since finding him a new home was the kindest thing they could do for this 19-month-old boy. Although he did indeed miss his first family, Nash adjusted very quickly as he delighted in human affection! As he was obviously good with people old and young alike, we chose a new family for him consisting of a mom and dad and 10-year-old (human) brother. Nash is being adored and showered with love. He is having fun playing with his people, going on long walks, and generally being spoiled. All well deserved!
MONGO
10/12/23 - Mongo, a 6.5-year-old purebred Ridgeback, was not getting along with an older male dog in his home. In fact, the two were having awful fights. After much consideration, the family decided to rehome Mongo. He is a bit of a gentleman (besides not enjoying the company of his previous roommate), and waited patiently at Rincal for his perfect new home to come along. That it did, in the form of an experienced Ridgeback couple looking for their next dog. Mongo now resides in the Pacific Northwest, with his parents and dog sibling. Word is that he may get a sister Ridgeback in the near future! Mongo is a very good boy.
TRIXIE
9/26/23 - Cute little Trixie was part of an “accidental” litter. The other pups were given away or taken to a shelter. Trixie was lucky to end up with us! A happy and energetic young one, she appears to be made up of a conglomeration of breeds. But the telltale ridge on her back indicates that she certainly has Ridgeback in her genes! Trixie, now called Cleo, is living a great life in a home with other Ridgebacks and lots of outings!
HAPPY
9/23/23 - This young boy came to us from a Central Valley shelter. They said he was energetic and loving, and boy did they deliver! Aside from being super thin and in need of training, Happy was a very fun dog. He went to a foster home where he learned some leash manners (still a work in progress). He was found to get along great with other dogs, and all people. His enthusiasm could be a bit much for some, but we had the perfect home present itself in the form of a previous Rincal adopter! Happy, now Dante, is now learning to love life with a family of his own, including Rincal alum Jack! He’s got a ways to go to learn the rules and be a polite housemate, but he’s on his way!
MADDIE
9/13/23 - This young, purebred, ridged livernose girl was found at a Texas shelter. She is very sweet, very petite and was anxious yet curious upon arrival at her foster home. It didn’t take her long to realize she was home. The foster family couldn’t bear to part with Maddie, now Sansa, and she has made herself central in a home with a mom and dad, kids and two big Ridgeback siblings of her own!
DASHER
9/7/23 - Abandoned by his owner, we obtained this ridged puppy from someone who had been kind enough to feed him and a couple other dogs until help could be located. He was placed in foster care and turned out to be a delightful boy! He loves attention and loves to play with other dogs. He gets wild cases of the zoomies and is always enjoying life now! A friend of the foster met him and couldn’t stop thinking about him. Ultimately, she adopted the little guy and renamed him Benji. We couldn’t be happier for his great turn in life!
RUCA
7/20/23 - A Ridgeback/border collie mix, Ruca came to us from a northern-most point in California, where she was having a bit too much fun with her herding side and therefore not fitting in well to her sheep farm surroundings. We had an adopter waiting in the wings - someone who lives in the city and wanted a dog to accompany her on daily outings! Ruca, under a year old, blended in beautifully and is now immersed in the Big City life. She even gets to greet tourists from her private balcony! Ruca has a good life.
AMBER
7/13/23 - Amber is a gorgeous, 80+ lb girl. She was surrendered by her owner to a Riverside County shelter for reasons unstated. She had been an outdoor dog, had little training and most likely didn’t receive near enough attention. She was in foster care for a short while before being adopted by a great family out of state! Amber is very affectionate and pleased in being fully incorporated into the type of life every dog should have.
Pye
7/13/23 - Cute little Pye and his brother Trace came from a Texas shelter where they had been dumped in an outdoor holding pit. Lucky for them, a savvy person spied their ridges and contacted us, knowing they needed help. When they got to us, they were wild and fearful - who could blame them? At less than a year old, they had obviously had a rough start to life. Both were full of worms (as we later found out), but otherwise healthy. Pye absolutely blossomed in foster care, and is now living happily with a couple and their female Ridgeback. Pye, now Xero, gives his big sister a run for her money!
TRACE
7/13/23 - Handsome Trace and his brother Pye came from a Texas shelter after having been unceremoniously dumped in an outdoor holding pit. The person discovering them there recognized their ridges and reached out to us for help. These youngsters were scared and a bit unruly, having obviously had no great upbringing. They both had worms (as we later discovered), but were healthy otherwise. Trace did great in foster care and loved playing with the other dogs there. He was soon adopted by an active family with a senior RR mix and another younger dog for Trace, now Toby, to torment.
SARUYO “ROO”
7/11/23 - Saruyo and his brother, Leo, were pulled from a Southern California shelter. They had been turned in by their owner, who admittedly had too many dogs to care for. Both boys had upper respiratory illness and had to be nursed through that. They recovered well and spent time in foster care. Roo is a lot of dog with an enthusiastic personality! We did a DNA test and were surprised to find no Ridgeback in him. Instead, he turned up with the unusual combination of 41% Mountain Cur, 19% Blue Lacy, and equal parts Catahoula Leopard Dog, Plott and American Pit Bull Terrier! Roo went to live with a great couple on a big ranch with lots of animals and wildlife in abundance. Training for polite behavior is underway …
CLYDE
7/9/23 - Big goofy Clyde came to us at 9 months of age, along with Wendy from the same breeder. A giant puppy, Clyde had never been on a leash and had no social skills or manners at all. We had him neutered and vetted and then he was adopted by a great family with loads of patience! Clyde, now called Scooby, lives with his mom and dad, kids and two cats!
WENDY
7/9/23 - Beautiful 3-year-old, purebred Wendy was taken in to rescue with another dog, Clyde. Both had been with a breeder who was going through some life changes and could no longer care for the dogs. Wendy was said to be great with children. We had a great family in mind for her, and ultimately Wendy went to live with a family including several grandchildren to love! Wendy is pleased to be living indoors, as formerly she was an outdoor dog. She is a very happy girl!
MAYA
6/20/23 - Maya was identified by a Central Coast shelter as a Ridgeback mix. Her time was running out as the shelter was overflowing. We came to her rescue and brought Maya into the Rincal family. While Maya was awesome with every person she met - wanting to force herself on everyone for as much loving as she could get - she was very wary around other dogs. It was clear that she had had issues with other dogs in the past, and had possibly been used by a backyard breeder. It took months in foster care for Maya to trust the other dogs in the home. She was VERY happy in her safe spot in a crate in the family room, where she could watch all goings-on. Initially she protected her crate with all her might, lunging at the bars when a dog would walk by. But with time and nothing bad happening to her, she reached the point where she could come out and play with the others in the yard. Maya became quite a clown, always with her giant, beautiful smile. She eventually got lucky and went to live with a retired veteran near the beach. They have brought each other much joy!
KING
6/17/23 - Purebred King came to us at just under a year old, after his owner sadly passed away. He was vetted, neutered and prepared for a new home. In rescue, he was an abundance of enthusiasm and flew like the wind around and around the yard whenever given the opportunity. A handful of puppy energy, King was placed with a Ridgeback family up for the fun and challenge! He is now known as Bodi, and is a beloved family member.
ENZO
6/09/23 - Enzo was quite the enigma! A Nor Cal shelter called us for help, after Enzo had been removed from the custody of a houseless person who had been seen abusing him. Whatever had been done to this young pup, it didn’t get him down! Enzo was guessed to be about three years old, with no previous history known. Because of his amazing wide ridge - which covers most of the width of his back - we did a DNA test. This funny boy is apparently one quarter Mountain Cur, one quarter Black and Tan Coonhound, and pretty much equal parts American Bulldog, American Leopard Hound, Redbone Coonhound, Plott, and Rhodesian Ridgeback! Such an interesting mix. Lucky Enzo was adopted by a family with two kids and a female Ridgeback of the same age. He is living it up!!
ROAN
6/06/23 -This handsome six-year-old purebred was an owner surrender. The family had moved out of state and felt that Roan was unhappy in his new surroundings. We took him in with no hesitation. He is a big, loveable guy, now called Romeo for his incessant kissing and attention-giving. He is safe and secure forever in his new home, with a few other dog pals to hang out with all day long. He enjoys long walks, car rides and sunbathing - but nothing beats napping on the couch.
MIRA
4/28/23 - When Mira came to us from an East Bay CA shelter, she was afraid of everything! She was close to euthanasia due to crowded conditions at the shelter and the fact that she was so shut down and showed no positive social behaviors. Once in rescue, she was still very worried for quite awhile. We knew it would take a lot of one-on-one attention and heaps of patience for this girl to come around. Lucky for Mira, a great home appeared and she is now living a good life with a mom and a canine sibling. We are so glad that she got the chance to live, and to thrive!
LOLA
1/30/23 - Lola … what to say about Lola. Clearly not a Ridgeback, she was one day away from euthanasia at an overflowing shelter. We chose to open our doors to her. Although it took two weeks for her to let her foster mom touch her, and months before anyone else could, we were patient as she clearly had reason to mistrust and fear humans. She blossomed into a delightful little thing and began being the boss of everyone in the house! A very patient woman came along who, like us, decided to give Lola a chance. Lola, now Zola, lives with a mom and dad and kids and other dogs and horses and chickens and goats on a lovely big property. And yes, she is still the boss.
LILY BOBTAIL
1/28/23 - Pretty Lily Bobtail, noted for her cropped tail, came from a Central Valley shelter where many of our dogs have been. The shelter dubbed her a Ridgeback Boxer blend. Whatever the breed, Lily is a gorgeous girl, very people-oriented. She was fostered in a home with several Ridgebacks and grew accustomed to having other dogs around. After adjusting to home living, Lily was adopted by a single man who looked forward to taking her camping and hiking! He also planned on taking her flying in his airplane - we need an update on that! Lily now has an older sister, a German Shepherd who is also a rescue.
MEECH
2/20/23 - Two-year-old Meech was surrendered to Rincal by his accidental caregiver. A young couple had been asked to look after Meech while his young owner was getting her feet back on the ground. Alas, they never heard from her again. Although they loved this young dog, they weren’t in the position to keep him forever. When it became clear that the original owner was not coming back for him, they reached out to us. Meech, although sweet and affectionate, had little training. He was neutered and then sent to an experienced foster home and came out a winner! Today “Mitch” is part of a big family including two female Ridgebacks. He is said to have a wonderful disposition - the girls probably help with that.
PHOENIX
11/3/22 - A lot can be said about this boy, who has made a name for himself via all his supporters on social media! Phoenix was found wandering in an orchard area in the Central Valley of California. He was emaciated and had a heavy chain-link “collar” around his neck and was barely mobile. It took months of medical, physical and emotional care to bring Phoenix back to life - but back to life he truly did come! Phoenix is living in a fabulous home in Texas with a couple other Ridgebacks. He has his own Facebook page - A Dog Called Phoenix - and word has it that a children’s book is in the works, all about him!
LUMPY
2/18/23 - This guy is definitely not lumpy … but was a lump of a puppy from the Kimber litter! Now called Bodie, we are sure he has upped his game as he is living on a large property with an older Ridgeback to get him moving. He probably gets energized around the ducks, geese and cockatiel who shares his home!
SCAMPER
2/18/23 - Scamper will get lots of exercise befitting her foster name. She is from Kimber’s litter, and was so lucky to be adopted by an active single man who enjoys hiking in the mountains and visiting the beach. Now called Murphy, she has a dog cousin and other friends to keep her busy!
CASPER
2/18/23 - This Kimber litter puppy stood out with the white “ghost” splotch on his chest. Appropriately, his new family calls him Ghost! He lives with an active couple and their other dog, and is set to enjoy exploring the great outdoors.
RACER
2/18/23 - This Kimber litter pup was known for having extra zoomies … He went to live with a couple and another young dog for company. They live near to Kimber (Cupid), Cosmo and Sable’s family … playdates are on the horizon!
GIDGET
2/18/23 - Gidget’s namesake was that of the sofa on which her mama Kimber (Cupid) gave birth to her and her littermates! It was a very special sofa that was featured in the “Gidget” movies of the late 1950’s! Her foster dads must really be saints to allow that to happen - but all came out well (including, we hope, the couch). Little Gidget, re-named Bailey, was adopted by a great couple with an older dog to harass!
COSMO
2/18/23 - Cosmo got to stay with his mother, Kimber (now Cupid), and sister Sable. They are living the good life with the wonderful couple who raised them.
SABLE
2/18/23 - One of three girls in Kimber’s litter, pretty Sable lives in the home she was born in, along with her brother Cosmo and her mama. All three are certainly beloved and spoiled, as they should be!
KIMBER
2/17/23 - Darling mama Kimber, now called Cupid, was pulled from a Central Valley shelter days before giving birth to a litter of seven pups! Taking it all in stride, and with the help of her fabulous foster dads, Cupid did a wonderful job raising her puppies and making them ready for new homes. Of course she was the star of the show, and managed to finagle herself a permanent position in the foster home, where she reigns today along with two of her lucky pups!
ELLIE
2/20/23 - Ellie came to us with four littermates, Ridgeback and German Shepherd crosses. Four of the pups have quite striking ridges! All seem to combine the characteristics of both breeds, which can be a bit daunting. Still, all are happy-go-lucky and affectionate dogs. Ellie, now called Remy, lives with a great family whose nearby daughter adopted a sibling! Lots of playtime for these two.
ABE
2/20/23 - The very dashing Abe came to us with four littermates, Ridgeback and German Shepherd crosses. Four of the pups have quite striking ridges! Abe was the stubborn standout who resisted the ridge. Abe is now called Ludo, which in different languages means “light” and “playful.” He was adopted by a fantastic couple who just cherishes him!
JACK
2/20/23 - Jack is one of the five Ridgeback/German Shepherd pups. A boy with a nice wild ridge, Jack was adopted by a couple who used to have a Ridgeback-Newfoundland cross! Jack’s new family consists of mom and dad and a similar-aged border collie mix. The new family of four intends to do most everything together! Jack has amusingly shown them that he is an avid water dog!
MAISIE
2/20/23 - Maisie came to us with four littermates, Ridgeback and German Shepherd crosses. Four of the pups have quite striking ridges! All seem to combine the characteristics of both breeds, which can be a bit daunting. Still, all are happy-go-lucky and affectionate dogs. Maisie, whose new name is Mori, went to live with a young woman whose parents adopted her sister! Lots of fun in store for these two.
BETSY
2/20/23 - Pretty little Betsy inherited the German Shepherd coloring of her mix, which is Rhodesian Ridgeback and GSD. Four out of the five pups have quite striking ridges, as seen in Betsy’s photo! All seem to combine the characteristics of both breeds, which can be a bit daunting. Still, all are happy-go-lucky and affectionate dogs. Betsy was adopted by a couple in Oregon who spends lots of time with their resident Ridgeback outdoors, hiking and camping. They have an RV-type vehicle that the dogs accompany them in on trips. What a great life! Betsy now goes by the name Amelia.
SIERRA
2/2/23 - Just look at Sierra’s face and it is clear how sweet she is! One of the most easy-going and gentle fosters ever, Sierra was a stray picked up by a county shelter. The reached out to see if we would like to help her. Of course we did! Sierra’s sweet disposition should be emulated by all Ridgebacks. Well, we can dream, can’t we?? This very nice girl went to live with a couple who had not yet owned a dog together. We knew Sierra, now called Olive, could show them the ropes, and she has! She enjoys lots of water time, splashing in creeks and even learning to paddleboard! She also has some great dog friends. What a wonderful life!
NUGGET
2/12/23 — Talk about issues! A shelter reached out about Nugget as she has a lovely ridge. She came to the shelter with a fishhook embedded in her lower eyelid! When we picked her up, we immediately discovered that she also had a dermoid sinus. This little girl definitely went through the wringer before we deemed her ready for adoption. However, she maintained a great disposition about it all and recovered well! A real spitfire, Nugget (Now Freya) lives with her new mom and dad and big sister Ridgeback! She is a very spoiled girl.
RABBIT
1/26/23 - A petite and emaciated girl at only 50 lbs. when we took her from the shelter, this mama came with nine 2-week-old puppies who she had been guarding in a field all by herself. Named for the brand-new Year of the Rabbit, she was initially timid and nervous in foster care at the home of the folks at our wonderful sister organization, Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue. They took excellent care of Rabbit and her brood, and she soon settled and seemed to be grateful for all the help! Once all the pups were weaned and being adopted, Rabbit was spayed to ensure she was done with all that! She ultimately found a great home with another Ridgeback to keep her company. Now called Winnie (among a myriad of amusing nicknames), she and her brother are inseparable! She has also gained a much-needed 10 lbs.! She keeps her new parents on their toes - always getting into something, just to show them she can. They love her endlessly.
THUMPER
1/26/23 - One of our Year of The Rabbit babies, Thumper was a typically amusing puppy, either full-on active or sound asleep. After being raised by Mama Rabbit and our friends at Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue, Thumper was adopted by a RINCAL volunteer and is now called Norah. She has undergone lots and lots of training and is a model citizen dog in her community.
BUNNY
1/26/23 - Bunny is a Year of The Rabbit puppy, and was famous for her heart-shaped nose. That wasn’t enough for her - she even gained a little notoriety with her skills on a skateboard! Bunny is now called Bennie, and lives with a young family and a handful of little dogs. She has tons of room to romp and play!
RUBY
1/26/23 - This pretty little Year of The Rabbit puppy ended up going all the way to Texas to a family who just HAD to have her! She is one sweet girl and is adored. She is being called Rosie.
BABS
1/26/23 - Another Year of The Rabbit baby, little Babs was adopted by a couple who had lost their older dogs to age. Babs, now called Fern, scored big as her new parents so missed having a dog to spend time with, walking, hiking and socializing with friends! She has become a big and beautiful girl!
FIVER
1/26/23 - Fiver is one of the boys from the Year of The Rabbit litter. He grew rapidly and is probably the largest sibling now! Fiver lives on a Ridgeback-savvy farm with a bunch of other dogs, horses and other animals. He is king of his palace. He is called Jackson. Sometimes Jackson Fiver. Someone has a good sense humor…
VELVET
1/26/23 - Darling Velvet, a Year of The Rabbit pup, was adopted by a single woman who will make Velvet - now called Rubee - her top priority! The two will spend lots of outdoors adventure time, and come home to cuddle (or terrorize?) the two resident cats. Lots of fun ahead!
CADBURY
1/26/23 - What a handsome guy Cadbury is! Another Year of The Rabbit pup. Lucky Cadbury went to live with a couple on their 300-acre working ranch. There is no end to the daily activities available to this boy. Cadbury is little brother to a 13-year-old pitbull who is no doubt showing him how to be a good dog. He has earned the name of Captain, so he must be doing well!
BUGSY
1/26/23 - This little boy from the Year of The Rabbit litter went to a Ridgeback-experienced family who was happy to adopt a mix! Bugsy, now Jasper, lives with mom and dad and three older teens. He is being shown the ropes by the two senior female Ridgeback mixes also in the family! He is sure to wear everyone out.
EASTER
1/26/23 - Easter is a Year of The Rabbit pup. A sweet little girl! She was adopted by a very active couple missing their last dog. Easter, now called Wheeler, is going to have a fabulous life of lots of outdoor time - hiking, running and fishing. SHe will also accompany her parents on errands and lunch dates in town. She will be part of an inseparable trio!
KOLBY
1/21/23 - When 5-year-old Kolby’s owner sadly passed away, he was in need of help! Rincal took him in, and he spent some time in an experienced foster home to get through his sadness and confusion. Kolby was then lucky to be adopted by a couple who had already had three Ridgebacks of their own, and were up for the fun and challenge presented by this 100-lb livernose boy! They are now enjoying their time together immensely, and Kolby loves his couch!
ZEKE
1/21/23 - Little old man Zeke. Not enough words to describe our feelings about this one. Zeke was picked up as a stray in Southern California. Although he had a microchip and Animal Control was able to contact his family, they said they didn’t want him anymore. He was too old, and too much of a responsibility. Can you imagine?? Rincal immediately arranged for Zeke to come to us. On a winter day, before the crack of dawn, he boarded a non-profit animal transport bus and headed north! We already had a home lined up! A lovely couple was looking specifically for a senior dog, even a hospice dog. Zeke hit the jackpot, and undoubtedly moved on to a much better, more loved life. He went to live the rest of his life on a vineyard, with loving humans and a handful of cranky dachsunds to show him around. Well deserved, Zeke.
KIMA
1/20/23 - This little gentleman came to us from a Northern California shelter who identified him as a hound mix, possible Ridgeback. He was very young and very sweet and of course we took him in! He also had kennel cough and pneumonia - and we were unaware! Fortunately he had a great foster mom who kept a quiet house for him and nursed him back to health. Today Kima is growing and thriving and happy in his new home with a big brother Ridgeback and a big sister RR mix - finally he can play to his heart’s content! By the way, the family didn’t care in the least that our DNA testing showed that Kima has no RR in him at all … He is mostly Plotthound, with equal portions Catahoula Leopard Dog and Treeing Walker Coonhound thrown in! What a cool mix, resulting in a beautiful boy.
ROCKET
10/27/22 - We received a call from a Rincal supporter who had found Rocket in a Southern California shelter. She took him in herself as she was afraid he wouldn’t last there. In just a couple days, she determined without a doubt that this dog couldn’t be left alone - he had extreme separation anxiety. He also had numerous wounds to his face, head and body - some looked like knife wounds. He was just terrified to be away from a person at any time. Because the adopter could not possibly be with this boy 24/7, we took him into rescue. A great young foster couple kept him for almost two months, and he blossomed! However, he still could not be left alone without hyperventilating and being destructive in his efforts to escape his confines and find his people. He was moved to a home with three resident dogs, frequented by other fosters and visiting dogs. It took awhile, but once Rocket realized that he could count on his new dog friends as much as he could his foster mom, he relaxed so much that he was able to be left loose in the house for hours without doing anything other than sleep by the front door. No sign of stress at all. He proved himself to be a very good boy who loved to cuddle and play with his foster mom and other dogs. Still, the perfect home was necessary in order to allow Rock to continue to flourish. Image our delight when a mail-order family came along and fit the bill to a tee! Rocket, now called Otis, is living happily with his new family and sister dog, Sunny - who may or not be delighted. :)
PAMPLEMOUSSE
12/23/22 -This 8-week-old purebred boy came in with siblings and was dubbed part of our “fruit litter.” Who knew a pamplemousse was a grapefruit? Since re-named Kylo Blue, this pup’s foster could not let him go, and officially adopted him. He is now living happily with a Ridgeback-experienced family.
JUNIPER
12/23/22 - Sweet Juniper is one of the two females in our “fruit litter.” Adorable as she was, she was unfortunately plagued with a dermoid sinus. No matter! An adopter was quickly lined up for this pup and we had her dermoid successfully removed. Now called Gigi, she lives with a wonderful couple who has raised two Ridgebacks in the past!
MANGO
12/23/22 - Mango may well deserve the title of “most comedic” of our “fruit litter.” As handsome as any of his littermates, this purebred pup certainly has a “who, me?” attitude. He is living with another Rincal alum in Northern California. Although he is a handful, he is adorable and very loved.
JACKFRUIT
12/23/22 - Another “fruit litter” boy, this beautiful livernose came in with his siblings at two months of age. Now called Cash, short for Cashew, this lucky pup lives with a very Ridgeback-savvy family who has raised five RRs, starting in 1989! He’s got a big sister RR to keep him in line.
LOGANBERRY
12/23/22 - Another “fruit litter” boy, Logan was fostered and adopted by a family who also has adopted from Rincal in the past. Re-named Cooper, this lucky boy lives with alum Shandy (Hagan), another dog and their adoptive parents in a beautiful part of Northern California.
OLIVE
12/23/22 - Little Olive was one of the only two girls our “fruit” litter. She was fostered and adopted by a previous Rincal adopter, who has Soul (Feni) and another Ridgeback. They make quite a nice pack!
HUCKLEBERRY
12/23/22 - This sweet little purebred boy came in with siblings at just two months of age. He was fostered and adopted by the same person, who just couldn’t let him go! Now called Tayo, he lives the good life with his adoptive mom and a big sister Ridgeback!
BOSCO
7/17/22 - Bosco was picked up with his brother, Rosco, and taken to a congested shelter in Northern California. Deemed very nice dogs, the shelter reached out to us for our help. We immediately retrieved the one-year-old boys and put them in foster care for a bit of evaluation. In Bosco’s case, he was a perfect gentleman and began accompanying his foster mom and her Ridgeback to different places. Everyone loved him and a young family was chosen as his adopter. Fast forward many months and the family had to give him up … no fault of Bosco, but there were issues in the family that needed attention. This is why we have in our adoption contract that adopters must contact us first if there is a need to re-home their dog; we do everything possible to find a safe and loving place for our alumni. In Bosco’s case, he was re-adopted fairly quickly by a couple who adopted from us many, many years ago! He now has a slightly older brother, Leo, to play with full-time.
ROSCO
7/17/22 - Young Rosco and his brother, Bosco, came from a very busy Northern California shelter. Both had been picked up from the streets, where they were roaming freely. A citizen had seen Rosco get hit by a car - not once, but twice! We found that he had suffered a broken clavicle. Luckily, no surgical intervention was warranted, and he did well with crate rest, pain meds and a little chiropractic massage. Rosco, re-named Kipper, is now living happily with a dog-loving couple who was missing their Ridgeback mix, who they lost last August. They like to walk and hike and work on regular training with their dogs. We even think that some summer trips to the dog-friendly beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea are in store for this boy!
KODI
7/31/22 - This big boy is younger than his salt-and-pepper muzzle would suggest. The shelter guessed him at 20 months when they called us asking to help; he had been adopted the month before but returned because the resident dog didn’t like him and he had an ear infection that the adopter didn’t want to deal with. Kodi was first in a quiet foster home with a nice woman with no other pets. After some time, we decided to move him to another foster with a handful of other Ridgebacks to see how he would do with other dogs. He spent several months there before the right couple came along to adopt him! Kodi was described by both foster moms as a wonderful, loving boy who just wanted to hang out and be with his people. He likes an easy introduction to new situations, and the new family is going slow with him to ensure he feels comfortable and happy. With a face like that, you know he’s an easygoing guy!
BUTCH
11/16/22 - Butch was a delight with people and loved oats and treats. He was hell on wheels when it came to other dogs, though. He attacked several dogs viciously, with no warning or provocation. After weeks of trying to change his behavior, it was clear that he should be in a sanctuary of some sort for unpredictable, aggressive dogs. Does such a place exist and could we get him there before he hurt another dog, or possibly a person? What was best for Butch? To let him live a life where he felt he had to protect himself from even the silliest little poodle or to be kind and let him go to sleep forever and never have to fight again? Elizabeth took Butch to the vet, held him and cried while the medication was administered. Today, Elizabeth points out places they could have enjoyed as she drives around with the ashes that were once Butch in her car.
STELLA
11/29/22 - A tiny little shelter run by the Sheriff’s Office in Northern California had this gorgeous girl in their care. There was not enough manpower to work with Stella or network her … and they feared she was pregnant. She was very scared and timid. The shelter happily let us take Stella, and we quickly learned that she was not used to living indoors. She also had a great fear of most people, and it took two patient fosters to get her settled. Luckily she was not pregnant, but has likely had puppies in the past. Never again! The second foster quickly grew attached to this sweet girl and asked to adopt her. Stella is now called Bella and has a wonderful home with a mom and a dog sister, Misty, who has helped greatly in showing her how to be a proper house dog.
ZURA
11/03/22 - As we were preparing intake of a shelter dog from Central California, the shelter announced that they had a Ridgeback puppy they would like to send along as well! A photo was provided and the puppy did in fact look like a (ridgeless) Ridgeback. Of course we said yes! Send him along … The surprise was in meeting Zura a few days later … not a Ridgeback, but an adorable boy. He came to us with kennel cough, pneumonia, and a sutured tail amputation - another dog at the shelter had bitten through the poor puppy’s tail and it could not be saved. Zura was with us for six weeks in foster care, healing from his issues. During that time, he quickly became a very good canine citizen - learning sit, down, come, stay, turn around, shake paws, high-five and more! He loved and was loved by every single person and dog he met, and was best friends with the resident cat. After much consideration (it was very hard to not foster-fail with this one), Zura, now called “Enzo,” was adopted out to a family with two little girls, two little dogs, and two little housepigs! He will accompany his new mom to work and hopefully become a therapy dog when he’s a little older. He’s a natural, and we are very proud of this little honorary Ridgeback.
Note: A DNA test on Enzo found that he is 30% Weimeraner, 26% American Pit Bull, 20% boxer, 10% pug and 12% supermutt!
QUENTIN
9/24/22 - This 6-to-8-month-old pup was an owner abandonment case. After searching frantically on social media for her puppy, who had run off, the owner was advised that he had been picked up by animal control. She was relieved to know he was at the shelter, however she failed to ever claim him. Her loss was our gain, and especially that of Quentin’s adoptive family! Aside from normal rambunctious puppy behavior, there is nothing “wrong” with this pup at all! He did have a recent injury that appeared to be some sort of road rash, but it has healed nicely. “Quinn” is happily living with his new family with parents and teens; he is no doubt helping them through the loss of their last dog, also a Rincal alum!
JAMES
9/2/22 - Gorgeous James, not yet 9 months old, was an owner surrender. His family was unable to work with his big puppy energy and some behavioral issues. He is a lovely pup, very spirited, and needed a good outlet for his liveliness and drive. James was evaluated for a few days by a RINCAL foster, and an assessment was made. The stars aligned and we knew we had an awesome home for this dog! James, being called Bosco, has gone off to live with an active, outdoorsy young couple and their Dutch shepherd, who will certainly show James the ropes. They lost their Ridgeback last year and have been waiting for the perfect match for them to come along - we think their wish has been fulfilled!
CHIPS
4/26/22 - Gypsy/Amani’s largest son turned out to be a striking Doberman mix. Now called Samson, he is smart as a whip, quite headstrong and in need of leadership and a job to do! Even though he’s not old enough to be “the boss,” he certainly would like to be! It took a while for the right family to come along, but Samson is now fully ensconced in the good life! He’s got teenaged kids and a big brother dog to show him the ropes - and a personal trainer! His new mom adores him and he is fitting in well.
CEDAR
4/26/22 - Cedar was one of the two smallest pups in Gypsy/Amani’s big litter. He is a precious and sweet little guy, more of a follower than a leader among dogs. He constantly checks in with his foster family, coming for a hug and making lots of eye contact with his big, doe-like eyes. Once Cedar got big enough to jump on the sofa all by himself, he frequently wanted to be in someone’s lap. He is full of fun energy but sleeps through the night in his crate, always very happy to see his people first thing in the morning! This is definitely a puppy who wiggles his way into your heart! Cedar, now Koda, has moved in with his new adoring family, including a mom and dad, twin brother and sister 11-year-old humans, and two young cats! He will keep them very busy!
PRIDE
4/26/22 - This little guy provided the only initial clue that there was doberman in the litter of our very own Gypsy/Amani … Thought to be Ridgeback, several of her pups have had DNA results showing a prevalence of Dobie in their genes. Pride was not tested, but it’s pretty obvious - and he is the only black-and-tan pup out of the nine siblings! This boy is full of enthusiasm and displayed an eagerness to learn - everything - from early on. He showed us that he is a definite leader but needs to be in a situation where he can channel his energy into activities that challenge his brain. The perfect home was found with a very active couple who recently lost their beloved Ridgeback mix and needed to fill a big hole in their lives. Pride, now called Molé, is in obedience classes, goes to the beach a lot, and is already learning the art of paddle boarding! Note: Shortly after being adopted, Molé was surprised with a new big brother - who happens to be a Ridgeback mix!!
SOUL
7/15/22 - Clearly not a Rhodesian Ridgeback, Soul the purebred 1-year-old Doberman was highlighted on social media after having been abandoned in the Southern California desert with Ridgeback mix Spirit. They were listed as “littermates,” which they are not, but nonetheless their behaviors, fears and myriad of bite marks showed without a doubt they came from the same place. Our friends @oceanrayrescue took these boys as fosters from the shelter. They had the boys for a month plus, and did a great job at helping them decompress and learn that humans aren’t all bad.
When we took custody of the boys, we put Soul in a dobie-experienced foster home. His foster dad did a wonderful job acclimating him to the house, walking on leash, learning to co-exist with a cat and deciding toys were a good thing and he wouldn’t get in trouble for playing with them. Unfortunately it was next to impossible to cure Soul of his overwhelming fear of being left alone … It was quickly evident that he simply couldn’t be left. When the foster had to go back to work, Soul, by then being called Sammy, was put in a home with a retired, stay-at-home couple and their senior Great Dane, also a rescue who had experienced similar issues. Sammy did beautifully in this situation and in the company of an older and wiser dog to guide him. He soon could be left “alone” (with the other dog) for brief periods and didn’t destroy anything more serious than a pack of toilet paper. The fosters also discovered that they could not pick up “anything with a handle,” such as a broom, without Sammy becoming very fearful and slinking away. At that point, the fosters felt they had a good understanding of him and decided he was home to stay. Sammy enjoys farm life with horses and chickens and stray cats … He gets regular daily car rides and is spoiled and loved.
SPIRIT
7/15/22 - This gorgeous man made the social media rounds, and then some, before we were finally able to assist. He had been abandoned in the Southern California desert with his buddy, doberman Soul. They were listed as “littermates,” which they are not, but nonetheless their behaviors, fears and myriad of bite marks showed without a doubt they came from the same place. Our friends @oceanrayrescue took these boys as fosters from the shelter. They had the boys for a month plus, and did a great job at helping them decompress and learn that humans aren’t all bad.
When Spirit came to us for further fostering, he was a super sweet guy, but quite obviously worried about what was going to happen next. He was very gentle - not a mean bone in his body. He seemed to take comfort from his new foster- sister dog. The indoors was pretty new to him - all the different sounds and smells he had to get used to. He was quite the cuddler, wanting to give and get affection constantly. Spirit had most certainly been physically mistreated - he cowered when reprimanded once, prompting the foster to really go easy on him. But always he remained gentle and loving. A real test came when it was discovered that Spirit had a stick wedged solidly in the roof of his mouth. The foster had noted he was eating strangely, tilting his head, and a bad smell was starting to emanate from his mouth. With the aid of a vet tech friend, Spirit allowed them to work to dislodge the stick, which had left some bloody lesions but no permanent damage.
Spirit quickly grew attached to his new foster mom, and she to him. In the end, she couldn’t part with him … Now called Feni, this amazing dog will never have to worry about anything again!
GYPSY
3/5/22 - This girl has been through the wringer and then some! Picked up as an emaciated young stray, a spay appointment was made but we had quite awhile to wait. We opted to place her in advance in a great adoptive home with another Ridgeback. Unfortunately, loving and fun as she was, Gypsy unexpectedly had a food-related reactivity to the resident dog, and needed to be moved. She went into foster care for awhile and did very well, while we attempted to put some much-needed weight on her. She was then placed in a new home … two weeks later, we received a call and a photo: “Why is she so fat?” Shockingly, we saw that Gypsy was PREGNANT and about to deliver! She had been pregnant all this time and had been so thin that no one guessed. Once again, she was moved - this time to an incredibly well-equipped foster situation with our friends at the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue in Southern California. That weekend, Gypsy delivered nine healthy pups of various sizes, shapes and colors! Apparently, multiple daddies were involved with this litter …. Sweet Gypsy spent two months with her babies, distancing herself as time went on. She’d had enough! :). Today, Gypsy is residing with another RINCAL alum, Bane. The two are great friends and complement one another nicely!
BAILEY
6/12/22 - Bailey is a people-oriented and very spunky young girl. We were alerted to her by a swamped shelter who wanted the best for her. She came to us and had a fabulous time in foster care - it was hard to say goodbye! Her favorite thing to do was to play HARD and LOUD with her foster siblings … We took a chance and placed her as an only dog with a single woman who had many dog friends and would keep Bailey very active. Unfortunately, a different side of Bailey came out as she apparently was anxious upon finding herself without full-time canine comrades. She quickly became quite protective of her new mom, which proved to be an unfortunate liability. Bailey went on to be adopted by a retired veterinarian and his wife with a handful of other dogs at home. She is enjoying being challenged with training and other activities, and has settled in well!
JACK
6/02/22 - Jack! What to say about Mr. Popularity? We received a call from one of our “usual” shelters who said we just HAD to take this boy. And what a gem he is! Jack spent some time in three different foster homes while we were getting to know him and awaiting his neuter appointment. All fosters agreed that he was a keeper - they had to talk themselves out of adopting him as they knew he deserved a brand new family. Many applications were received for this handsome dog, who was found to be able to insert himself seamlessly into just about any situation at all. Very likeable, loving and smart, Jack ultimately scored a fantastic home with a couple way up in British Columbia. Jack’s life is full of adventures now, with the other dogs and kitten in his family! He even gets to accompany one of his dads to work in a tow truck!
SARBI
4/26/22 - Gorgeous Sarbi was one of the largest pups from the Gypsy/Amani litter. She is full of fun and mischief and definitely a people-lover. After many inquiries, this little girl went to live with her new mom and dad, and a boy and girl to grow up with! She also has a cat sister …. We are unsure what the kitty thinks. :)
GRACE
4/26/22 - Pretty Grace is another Gypsy/Amani puppy. With her colors, one might guess some shepherd in there, but DNA says doberman, staffy, Rottie and a few other interesting breeds … Now called Emerald Grace (Emmy for short), she is a spitfire and a force to be reckoned with! She was adopted by a young woman and her family and has been a challenge but they love her endlessly! Emmy is in puppy training classes and is doing well.
OBI
5/7/22 - A giant of a dog, Obi was an owner surrender. He had gotten too headstrong and physically strong for his owner to effectively handle him. After we had him neutered, Obi went to live with a man who had been missing his former Ridgebacks … Two-and-a-half-year-old Obi is a work in progress, but we are hopeful that things turn out well once he has more training completed. Beautiful boy!!
MILO
4/17/22 - Cute Milo was an owner surrender for necessary reasons. He is half Rhodesian Ridgeback and half Sharpei!! He went directly to one of our premier foster and adoptive homes - who happens to love Sharpeis … Match made in heaven! Milo entered and never left. He is cohabitating on his own terms with his new mom and brother Ridgeback D’Jango, also a RINCAL alum!
PEACH
4/14/22 - This girl stole our hearts along with thousands of others when her pleading eyes appeared on social media, approaching death row… Pretty Peach had been abandoned with a chihuahua in a back yard when her family moved out without making arrangements for the dogs. They sat alone for two weeks at least, unattended and with no food, before being noticed by a neighbor and reported to Animal Control. The little dog found a home right away, but due to Peach’s terror in the loud and foreboding shelter kennel, she was overlooked for over a month, and then her time was up…. We stepped in on her final date and put her into a foster home. Unfortunately it quickly became apparent that although she displayed a desire to trust humans - craving hugs and pets - she had an extreme fear of dogs. After a severe incident with a small dog in public, Peach was moved to a new foster home with three gentle dogs to help her adjust. In time she blossomed with them and was part of the pack for a few weeks. However, her underlying anxiety never left. Sadly, after two more violent attacks (one on a real dog and another on an inanimate object that she perceived to be a dog), it was decided that Peach was not to be happy in this life. She had her last month filled with the love, treats and adoration she had most likely never experienced prior to becoming a RINCAL dog.
Peach is a prime example of the reality of dog rescue. All dogs are deserving, but not all dogs get a happy forever as they go trotting off into a fabulous new home. The least we can do for these dogs is show them they are loved.
SHANDY
5/20/22 - This amazing one-year-old was found roaming the streets in Southern California. What at first appeared to be an injury turned into a vet visit and the conclusion that Shandy was born without one eye. This does not keep him down, as he knows no different! Shandy was put into foster care and no one claimed him. He was found to be very easygoing and enjoyed the company of people and other dogs. After some searching, we found the perfect home where Shandy is being cherished, as he should be! Shandy is now called Hagan - an old Viking name that sounds fitting for this boy!
RAGS
4/26/22 - Rags is one of the two Amani/Gypsy puppies with the gorgeous shepherd coloring. She is an independent little thing, brain always working and figuring things out. Rags is now Lucy and is living with new parents and an older dog sibling who is probably wondering what the heck happened to her calm life!
LEX
4/26/22 - This darling little one is a mini Ridgeback in the making! Now called Manuka (a very fitting name!), she is living the sweet life one-on-one with her full-time mom. She’s a lucky little girl who will be spoiled rotten and a best friend forever.
SAGE
4/26/22 - One of the three big girls from the Amani/Gypsy litter, Sage (now Kira), is living a great life with two other RR mixes, three kids and a mom and dad. Busy family, busy puppy! She is spending her days keeping everyone in line and endearing herself to her new family.
STUBBY
4/26/22 - The smallest of nine born to mama Amani/Gypsy, this little guy popped out like a chihuahua! There’s a big personality in a tiny package here … Sgt. Stubby is happily living with a family who appreciates his uniqueness!