HIGH RIDGE, Mo. — Off a quiet two-lane highway in High Ridge, Missouri, sits a place of solace and redemption—a sanctuary where every wag of a tail signals a fresh start.
The Second Chance Ranch, as it's affectionately known, isn't just a shelter. It's a haven for senior dogs and cats who've faced hardship, abandonment or the loss of their human companions. Tracy Rumpf, the ranch's founder, embarked on this journey after a decade of rescuing animals, determined to provide a lifeline for those often overlooked in our fast-paced world.
"I think that we live in a very disposable world," Rumpf said. "You get a little too old, people dismiss you. And I definitely saw that happening with the dogs."
Inside the ranch, volunteers like Erin O'Donnell work tirelessly to ensure that every animal receives the care and attention they deserve.
"We've got some dogs that are here because their owners passed," O'Donnell said. "Or, we have dogs that are in animal control that need a place to go, or they'll be euthanized."
The ranch operates solely on the dedication of its volunteers, with no paid staff. Tammy Knappmiller, one of the stalwart volunteers, expressed her deep connection to the cause.
Why does she come back every day?
"Because I love being here," she said. "It's my, it's my comfort place."
Since its inception three years ago, the ranch has provided refuge for over 340 dogs and cats, each with a unique story of resilience. Among them is Charlotte, a dog found abandoned in a field with a broken back, and Kaya, a 7-year-old Husky who lost her sight due to neglect and diabetes.
"We want to give them the best life they can," O'Donnell said. "And the goal is to nurse them all back to health and then get them adopted into a loving home."
Every success story at the ranch, whether it's Charlotte taking her first steps or Kaya regaining her sight through lens replacement surgery, serves as a beacon of hope for all.
"When you see them come in and they're just broken, completely broken," Knappmiller said, "and then they become … Charlotte, she can walk, you know. They become Kaya, she can see. That just brings me joy."
As the dogs bark in the background, it's a reminder of the vibrant life that now thrives within these walls—a testament to the power of compassion and the enduring resilience of the animals who call the Second Chance Ranch home.
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