The Story Behind the Misfits
Josie is a beautiful redheaded diva from North Carolina, who was saved by Love Mutts Rescue just hours before she was scheduled to be euthanized. She was adopted by Marla Pugh, who had previously been a crazy cat lady, but wanted to expand her lunacy to dogs as well. Josie became Marla’s best friend, serving as her family when she lived away from her human one. Josie and Marla settled into their 10-acre ranch located in Ellensburg, Washington in 2019. Inspired by her love for Josie, Marla vowed to help other animals and connected with Mikey’s Chance Rescue in the Tri-Cities. It was through this partnership where she fell in love with special needs animals. Marla added to her pack with Xander, a one-eyed German Shepherd; Loki, a miniature German Shepherd who sustained an injury very young, resulting in severe hip dysplasia and deformed back legs; and Sophie, a German Shepard who has a troubled past and lost half her sight to pannus, a degenerative eye condition. Over the years, Marla fostered several animals – most with special needs. Due to the outpouring of love and support from her amazing network of friends and family, Marla realized she could help even more animals by opening her own rescue and Josie’s Misfit Ranch was born in 2022.
About Josie’s Misfit Ranch
Josie’s Misfit Ranch is a volunteer and foster home based rescue that cares and advocates for misfit animals in Kittitas County and surrounding areas. “Misfit” animals are wounded in body or spirit who have been discarded, mistreated or ignored because they are considered less than “perfect.” We show these animals the love and compassion they deserve, build their confidence, and focus on all they can do instead of what they can’t.
We act as champions for our animals,* their foster families, and their forever families at every stage of the rescue and adoption process, including providing training and ongoing support. By building the skills and confidence of all involved - the animal, foster family and forever family - we are building a more successful adoption experience and reducing the chances the animal will be surrendered again. Our hope is to build a community where people value these animals and treat them with respect and kindness, as well as help them reach their full potential.
*We primarily serve dogs and cats at this time, but may expand to other animals in the future.
Primary Goals of Our Non-profit Organization
Provide medical care, foster care and training to “misfit” animals - those who have behavior problems, or physical limitations - and who have been mistreated, discarded or ignored. These animals are at a greater risk of being euthanized as they are often overlooked by potential adopters.
We provide training for fosters - both those who support our organization and those who are supporting other rescues - in the care and training needs of misfit animals. By providing foster parents with ongoing support we hope to improve the fostering experience, prevent foster burn-out and help prepare the animals for their forever home. This approach is meant to reduce the number of animals returned to rescues or shelters due to the lack of adequate preparation and guidance.
Support forever families in the understanding and ongoing training and care of “misfit animals” so they may have the best relationship with their animals, and ensure the animals continue to thrive.
Support our communities and partner with other rescues to help improve animal welfare.
