From the President . . .

We are overdue in updating you but its because we have been so busy. As we approach the end of our second year, we have much to share, and we are more grateful than ever for our supporters!

No More Building…We are Tired!

We worked hard all summer building at The Red. The need was great. Our sponsors were greater, and money was raised to add an extension to our animal pod. The newly named Kurtz pod allowed us to expand the 401 Girls enclosure, so they now have a double wide in the event we need to separate them because of Same Sex Aggression. We are hopeful that they will be able to remain together and enjoy the larger space, but we are prepared should we need to separate them. The Kurtz pod also includes three additional, very large enclosures, of which, all but one is currently filled. But that last one is claimed. (See below under ‘Musical Enclosures’.)

August was brutally hot and humid, and all our caretakers, staff and volunteers spent Saturday after Saturday working to complete these enclosures. We did it with the assistance of four amazing corporations: GE Aerospace, GE Abrasives, Wright Patterson AFB National Space Intelligence Center, and Crane 1 Services all provided workdays at the Red.

We also completed the fabulous Lanphier Bridge, named after our civil engineer friend, and remote staff member, Scott Lanphier! This bridge allows us to cross the stream without hopping over uneven culverts. And it’s a lovely addition to the property that guides visitors to our little red gift shop.

Dan Marmer completely designed and coordinated materials for our gorgeous observation deck. He and Doug Glidden worked tirelessly on this project…not just on Saturdays but often during the week as well. It is a beautiful place to observe the animals without disrupting their natural behaviors and Doug has already staged his camera tripod on it for photo sessions. We can’t wait to use this on our tours.

Below: Our new observation deck (l); view from the observations deck. Photos by Douglas Glidden.

The Animals

We are in rescue, and the urgent situations are never ending. In July we were notified of an emergency rescue in Indiana. This wolfdog needed to be picked up immediately. Our vet drove 5 hours each way to save this girl from boiling alive in a hot trap without water, on one of the hottest days of the year. Her name was Cherokee. Caretaker Erin McCleary coordinated this rescue and renamed her Nova. She is gorgeous. A small salt and pepper little girl that is sweet and curious but still needs patience to earn her trust. We are so happy to have her here where she is safe.

Erin then coordinated our next rescue, with none other than Tia Torres of Animal Planet’s ‘Pitbulls and Parolees’ fame. Many don’t know that Tia Torres started her career with wolfdogs back in the 80’s! Tia was contacted about a wolfdog in New Orleans that was running loose in the swamps and the story reminded us so much of our 401 girls we had to say yes. Tia personally brought us Rougarou Charley, and we enjoyed getting to spend an afternoon with her before she loaded her hound dogs back into her RV and headed back to New Orleans. Charley is a pretty little spicy girl that would eventually be paired with our latest rescue, Bear.

Susan coordinated the rescue of Bear. He was part of a confiscation case where the US Humane Society shut down an exotic breeder in MN. Some animals went to Wild Spirit, some went to US Wolves and Bear was delivered to us. He is an extraordinary boy—not just handsome but a gentle, intelligent, calm fella who has been happily paired with Charley. They are both two-year-olds and so much fun to watch.

Lava has left the premises! Our sweet ambassador boy, Lava, has been adopted! Staff member Braden Matt has always held a special place in his heart for Lava and when his personal wolfdog, Porsche, passed away this summer, he was understandably crushed. Porsche was unlike any wolfdog we have ever seen, and we all felt her absence. When Braden was ready, he and Lava became our very first Adoption story. We are so happy for that happy ending. If we could only find the right home for his former pen mate, Finn!

Musical Enclosures

It may look like we have a large enclosure available, and we do. But don’t ask us to put anyone new in there. It is going to be the new home for Bosco and Bree, and we can’t wait to give them the largest enclosure we have. We will then move our pocket wolf, Anubis, into their old enclosure which will enable us to give the 3 Amigos a double enclosure (a 110-foot x 50-foot space) with even more places to hide. We have been wanting to do this all summer, but rescue animals kept coming.

Vet Care

We have had the best vet team from day one. Don Corsmeier took care of us for our first year and did so many remarkable things for us, including difficult rescues and challenging vetting. This year we signed Darsha Arnold as Attending vet and Amie Marmer as our vet tech. This team is incredible and has successfully done this year’s annuals. We are also proud that they are collaborating with scientists from both Princeton and Colgate and that our animals will contribute to their important research. The vet team is truly remarkable, and we are really blessed with these individuals. Our own Caretaker Karen Tracy rounds out the team by taking care of the Daily Observations, record keeping and monthly meds.

Hungry Like a Wolf

La Soupe in Cincinnati has graciously been contacting us almost weekly to pick up 100s of pounds of donated raw meat. That combined with venison from local hunters or neighbors cleaning out their freezers has kept our freezers filled. Want to donate venison or red meat? We gladly take uncooked, unseasoned meat. Please reach out to us.

A Sad Farewell

This weekend we said goodbye to one of our dear caretakers. Madie Webb had known she would be moving since early summer (she has a government job) but even with that much notice, it didn’t ease the pain. Madie has a natural skill with all the animals. She is calm and loved by each of the pups and will be greatly missed by the 2 and 4 legged friends she left behind. But even though she is pursuing a wonderful career in Intel, she also has plans to start a rescue of her own. We will be watching and supporting her when that happens!

Our farewell shindig for Madie (pictured in the middle)

A Big 'Pat on the Back' to Our Erin!

Erin McCleary is our Caretaker from Texas who is a smart, levelheaded girl who just landed a coveted job at the Cincinnati Zoo working with Night Prowlers (big cats!) We are all so proud of her and the zoo is lucky to have such an outstanding young lady. We are proud of Erin and know she will do well for them and thankfully, we get to keep her too!

Incoming!

Jennifer Geyer is on her way to the Red from North Carolina. She comes with experience as an animal caretaker at Full Moon Farm and she will be our newest live-in caretaker. She will be bringing her own house woofer, Ruger, and her violin. Please welcome Jenn if you see her at our next event.

Two Spotlights

Anne Scott is a person that we are truly blessed to have on our staff. She has the highest work ethic, both at her job as well as at the Red. She is committed to doing things right, following the rules (don’t you forget to sign those waivers!) and she makes wonderful cheese balls and cookies! She also isn’t afraid to store deer parts and other raw meat in her personal freezer when we don’t have space. She will do just about anything she can to support this cause and the animals in our care. She is an essential person to the Red and we are grateful for all she does.

Charles Miller is our newest staff member, and he has a unique skill set. He initially planned to volunteer once a month but that quickly became just about, if not, every weekend. And he has all the tools! He is really handy in the field but perhaps his greatest skill is in community development. Charles recently worked with Troy at Back yard Sheds, who donated a beautiful, manufactured Shed to the Red. It stores our winter straw supply which provides clean, dry bedding for our animals. Charles has also acquired donations of sports drinks that keep us hydrated, as well as skids of concrete. He has a skill of sharing our mission, showing photos, and getting businesses interested in helping. We are so grateful he joined our team.

Year-End Giving

Please consider making a year-end donation to The Red. As a 501c3 nonprofit, less than two years old, with 21 animals in our care, we have significant operating expenses, including vetting and repairs around the property. We are also in need of a transport vehicle; we could really use your support. Please consider donating to the Red Riding Hood Rescue Project this Giving Season and know that you are truly making a difference. Unlike the big organizations, your support is a true lifeline. We are 100% volunteer run and donor funded and everything directly benefits: Anubis, Apollo, Aspen, Bear, Bosco, Bree, Charley, D’Artagnan, Finn, Jackson, Luna, Mesa, Nova, Sage, Sassy, Solaris, Spike, Tallah, Tilly, Wiley, and Willow. Your gift would be for them!

Also, Calendars are still available but in limited supply, so place your order ASAP.

See below for other ways to give this Holiday Season.

Howling Thanks!

As always, we are blessed with great volunteers/staff/caretakers/board members and followers. Positive energy abounds at The Red! Come see for yourself.

As a new 501c3, with monthly operating expenses and food and vet care for 21 animals, we are in need of monthly sponsors. Operations are costly.  We are small with a mighty and loyal following. But we are still small.  Can you help us grow our network?  Can you help us gain more donors?  We encourage you to become a Friend of The Red by being a monthly sponsor to help us do more. Your dollars go 100% to the animals. We remain gratefully yours. 

You can help by donating TODAY on our website, through PayPal (our PayPal email is info@rrh-project.com), Venmo (@RedRidingHoodRescueProject-Red) or check (mail to PO Box 42128 Cincinnati, OH 45242)!

Sponsor an animal! Not only do our animals benefit from multiple sponsors (yes, they can have more than one!), but sponsorships are one of the ways to ensure that the ongoing needs of our animals are always met, from food and enrichment, to vet care. Sponsor your favorite animal today! https://www.rrh-project.com/sponsor-an-animal

Consider a purchase from our Online Store (2024 Calendars are still available, but not for long! https://www.rrh-project.com/shop

Coming soon---Gift Certificates! Check back on our website for gift certificates in time for Christmas!

We are a team of volunteers. Every one of us. And we thank you for being a part of our ever growing team.

Much more news and fun to come! Not on our mailing list yet? Join here and also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in the know as we grow!