PETS: Introducing Nothing Mutt Love, a New All-Breed Rescue

by | Lifestyle, Pets

Stuffed Artichoke Bottoms

Nothing Mutt Love Rescue took in these puppies, their 5 siblings, and their mama from a Darlington, SC shelter last month. All puppies and mom will be adoptable in November.

Let’s Make this Happen

“I have been an animal lover since I was old enough to know what animals were,” says Jill Russell, the founder of Nothing Mutt Love Rescue, which took in its first rescue dogs in September 2022.

Growing up with dogs, working as an office administrator at a veterinary office, and fostering for local rescues, Russell knows without question that helping dogs is her life’s mission. “I was always the person friends called when they had trouble with their pets or the one people brought a stray to,” she says. “So, I decided about five years ago to start fostering with Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks and was so amazed at the great rescue they had built and said, I want to do that one day.”

“I knew I wanted to do more,” Russell continues. And over the last few months, “I said to myself, Let’s make this happen. So here I am today,” she says.

Nothing Mutt Love Rescue’s “main focus is on puppies and/or younger, small breed dogs,” says Russell, who recently pulled a mama pitbull mix and her puppies from Darlington, SC (these puppies will be adoptable in early November). Russell wants her rescue to be “reputable, honest, and focus on quality not quantity.”

And the rescue world, which is currently trying to drink from a fire hose with all the strays, owner surrenders, and accidental litters that are crowding shelters everywhere, can definitely use Russell’s help. Big Hearts Big Barks Foundation (formerly Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue) fully supports Russell and wants to see her be successful. Big Hearts Director Lisa Schauseil has been offering guidance from the sidelines and says, “I’m so proud of Jill wanting to pick up where Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks left off and making a point of being a different kind of rescue like we tried to do.”

Those of us who fostered for Big Hearts are excited, too. I truly respected our Big Hearts directors and their devotion to always doing the right thing for our rescue dogs. I also loved seeing the other fosters and volunteers at our events. So, I was elated to hear that one of our former volunteers was branching out with her own rescue. And I’m proud to be one of the foster moms for the very first litter of puppies Nothing Mutt Love rescued. Two former Big Hearts volunteers, Rhonda Jones and Ashley Sparks, are also fostering for this litter.

The first litter of puppies for Nothing Mutt Love (pictured on the day of their transport from the shelter).

Perhaps most importantly, Russell has the support of her family as she launches Nothing Mutt Love Rescue. “My entire family supports and helps with all aspects,” says Russell. “My 10-year-old son Nash has always played an important role in the success of my fosters. He has been with me on numerous freedom rides, home visits, adoptions, and events.  He loves these babies as much as I do when they are in our home and treats them as if they were his very own.”

Jill Russell and her son Nash in 2018.

Even with fellow rescue community and family support, Russell knows she isn’t taking an easy path. She says, “Rescue is hard, fostering is hard, but it is so heartwarming when I pull a pet from a shelter and give it a loving, safe home until I can find a fur-ever home for them.”

How You Can Help

Nothing Mutt Love is currently in need of fosters. Fostering requires temporary homing (typically 4-8 weeks depending on the age of the dog or puppy). The rescue provides all supplies and covers all veterinary expenses; you just have to keep the puppies safe and loved for the short time you have them.

The rescue is also in need of donations, which can be new or gently used pet items such as crates, beds, toys, or other dog-related items. Financial contributions are also greatly appreciated and go directly to food expenses, supplies, and veterinary care for the rescue dogs.

Russell asks anyone interested in fostering or donating to contact her via email at nothingmlrescue@gmail.com or through the Nothing Mutt Love Facebook page.

You can also follow and share the rescue’s Facebook page and their Web site to your social media to help Nothing Mutt Love reach a wider audience. Russell says, “There are so many ways you can help, big and small. We need you!”

Adopt from Nothing Mutt Love

Nothing Mutt Love’s very first adoption! This black lab mix puppy was adopted in October 2022.

Nothing Mutt Love will have the following dogs available for adoption in November 2022:

  • Dark grey (blue) female pitbull mix, approximately 2 years old
  • 8 lab/pitty mix puppies (1 brown, 4 cream/white, and 3 black w/white markings)

Please send an email to nothingmlrescue@gmail.com for an adoption application.

Article and photos by Timina Stengel, Foster/Adopter/Rescue Advocate: Timina Stengel
Timina Stengel

Timina is the full time Personal Assistant/Mom to her rescue pitty Stella. She also has two human teenagers and works as a content strategist.

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