#141 in United States, #9 in Washington, #3 in Olympia
#8 in pit Bull
#3 in great Dane
#6 in senior dog
https://www.misspitsrescue.org
Service areas:
Located in Oakville WA, adopting to western WA and northern OR
"Melissa aka MissPits is one of the most thoughtful, ethical rescues I know of. I am a certified behavior consultant and I volunteered my time, helping with some more of her challenging. She’s thoughtful. She’s ethical, and she will never resort to hurting or scaring a dog to get compliance out of it. She is continually tracking dogs that have been adopted out from her, and always welcome them back with open arms if necessary. She has a big heart and a very challenging job, and I just can’t say enough amazing things about her. my parents adopted a dog from her over a year ago and he is doing fantastic. I often update her with antics, and when she finds old photos of him, she sends them our way. If all rescues could be like Miss Pitts, this world would be a much better place."
— kristine a.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Misspits is an amazing rescue and sanctuary. Volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the best care and life for adoptable animals and permanent residents."
— wendy c.
Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Misspits is a Non profit 501c3 Rescue & pretty much a one woman show. The Rescue has grown from a small home based rescue for Pitbulls & Bully mixes (started roughly 10.5 years ago) to Rescue/Farm Animal Sanctuary on 12 acre Farm in Oakville Wa. There are not only adorable rescue pups, but surrender/abandoned medical, senior & hospice pups at the Farm as very as a multitude of surrendered/abandoned Farm Animals (Cows, Equines, Goats, Chickens, Roosters, Pigeons, PeaHens & Peacocks, Reptiles & Turtles. It's a mengerie, for sure. Melissa feeds and cares for them all with a little help from her friends 🎶 It is a gorgeous, beautiful place for animals & for people who love animals and want to volunteer. It is my favorite Saturday spot. The Sniff spot on the Farm is the Best! ~Cheryl~ Dog Mom to Misspits' alumi Rebel (August from the A litter) & Lily (the sweetest owner surrender) Current Foster Mom to Ben Solo (medical foster) and Vegard : Big Beautiful Adorable Boy from the V litter."
— cheryl b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"My wife got our dog Llama from Misspits. Melissa is an incredible person. Her care for animals is unparalleled and she devotes every fiber of her being to making the rescue the best it can be."
— matthew m.
Adoptee, Supporter, Fan
"An amazing organization run by an amazing woman who has saved countless animals of all types! My dog Llama is from Misspits and I could not be more grateful!"
— laura f.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Misspits is an amazing rescue that takes in the true underdogs. The scaly friends, the feathered friends and the bitey friends. Misspits is a soft place to land in a world that can be very hard. She understands behaviors, patience and kindness to human and animals and the world is a better place because this rescue is in it. We use Misspits Sniffspot for our reactive dogs and have done the photography extra. Melissa of Misspits knows how to properly interact with reactive dogs and makes them feel Immediately safe. She is a blessing."
— carrie l.
Supporter
"I've watched Melissa go from just a tiny pit/dog rescue with a few dogs to a full on sanctuary. She's gone through wonderful situations and survived some seriously awful ones (including a massive flood that wiped out her farm and nearly her home). She always did so with the animals first. Even through the worst she managed to keep going to make sure as many animals as possible had a safe and loving home. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about her or her rescue. The world is better place because of her and people like her. Love you Melissa (and everyone helping behind the scenes ❤️)."
— amy p.
Supporter, Fan
"Misspits Rescue is amazing! I learned of Misspits from a holiday donation drive at my local pet store. My partner and I have a love of pitbulls and we were immediately drawn to the love and compassion this rescue has for misunderstood breeds. I became a fan and follower on social media, which led to becoming a monthly patreon supporter. Melissa's concern is for the well-being of the animals, always. To adopt from Misspits there is an application, reference checks, and virtual home checks. When it came time to add to our family, our first and only stop was Misspits. We filled out the very thorough application and went through the checks before we were able to meet the litter. There was still a month between meeting the puppies and when they would be old enough to go home (weaned, spayed/neutered, vaccinated). She stayed in contact with us for that month, sending us photos and updates. The puppy that picked us showed signs of fearfulness. She explained how he was very hesitant with new situations, how that could impact him going forward, and checked if we still were prepared to adopt him (without judgment). Melissa is dedicated to making sure the dogs she adopts are going into the best situation possible, knowing it is only good if it is good for everybody. She set us and our dog up for success. We weren’t caught off guard when our dog came home and the least threatening things made him very nervous; we were prepared to give him time and let him decide things for himself. We became regular volunteers at Misspits after bringing our dog home. We have mucked stalls, assembled pens, moved hay, and cleaned equipment (because, yes, she rescues farm animals too!). To date we have fostered five dogs for her before they found their forever homes. We adopted a second Misspits alum a year and a half after our first. I conduct many of the virtual home visits in the application process, occasionally checking references too. One of her pastures is set up as a Sniffspot because she believes in creating safe and fun spaces for dogs. The amenities for dogs and their humans show the thoughtfulness put into the creation of the location. Misspits Rescue has given so many animals the opportunity to live their best lives. Melissa is an endless inspiration for the good we can create for the world."
— lesley b.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Misspits rescue does fantastic work in a very underserved community. Our local shelter has completely closed to local animals and the amount of people offloading animals that they cannot take care of is through the roof. Misspits has been working with other local rescues to help animals of all sizes. Misspits is run by one woman and a dedicated couple volunteers helping over 100+ animals in residence and others throughout the community."
— janelle l.
Volunteer / foster, Fan
"Misspits Rescue is a wonderful local rescue! Not only does Melissa run it on her own with just volunteers helping out, but she takes an all sorts of animals big and small. I often see posts about her taking in animals that have been neglected, abused, hurt, or elderly and are unwanted by others. She has a wonderful big heart and deserves every bit of help she can receive to help rescuing animals."
— laura b.
Supporter, Fan
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.
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Discover the Golden Retriever, a popular breed celebrated for its affectionate, playful, and trainable nature. Considered a large dog, Golden Retrievers were originally bred in Scotland for hunting and retrieving game beginning in the 1860s. Today, they're recognized by the Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club (AKC) as one of the most beloved companion dog breeds.
Discover the American Staffordshire Terrier, a distinct breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and loyal nature. Often confused with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a separate breed of British origin, the American Staffordshire Terrier (AmStaff) is considered a medium-sized dog. While both breeds share some similarities, the AmStaff is generally larger and has been developed as a distinct breed in the United States.
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