Six years ago Devilyn Saunders, founder and director of Rugaz Rescue Inc. had a vision. At only twenty years old she would work to build a successful home-based foster/adoption rescue and rehabilitation team. She named her organization Hernando's APBT Rescue. Her perseverance to her commitment is such that she continued building her rescue while working full-time and being a full-time college student. Even as a struggling student she found herself, more often than not, funding the rescue herself with a portion of what little personal income she earned through her job. Under no circumstances would she let down the animals that shed grown to love and respect. Through the end of 2008 she managed to, single handedly, save the lives of over a 500 dogs with the assistance of only a few foster volunteers who came and went at any given time.

February brought forth a chain of events that, after six years, led to a 501c, non-profit status and the name change of Hernando's APBT Rescue. In honor of her own beloved pitbull, Ruger, and a very special boy named Aztek, who died of neurological issues just a few months after finding his forever home, our founder decided to give the rescue a name that would honor their memories for years to come. The impact these loving gentle giants had, and will continue to have, brought us to our organizations new name: Rugaz Rescue Inc.!

Our mission is to foster, rehabilitate, and re-home abused, neglected, and
abandoned APBTs that are seized by Authorities or forfeited by their
owners. In an effort to save as many of those Pit Bulls who are scheduled
for euthanasia, we will work closely with surrounding Animal Control
facilities. Additionally, we will make every attempt feasible to assist
individuals who are painstakingly forced to surrender their Pit Bulls due
to emergencies, changes in family structure and financial instability. Our
in-home support will aid families with unruly Pit Bulls and encourage a
stronger bond, while keeping them together forever. We will always value
the importance of community involvement by continually seeking ways to
educate and promote responsible Pit Bull ownership to the public. The
welfare of our dogs will be placed above all else and we will strive to
make their lives better by any means necessary. Before our special kids
leave us they will be spayed/neutered, de-wormed, immunized,
micro-chipped, socialized, temperament tested and treated for any
necessary medical needs they may have. We commit to finding loving forever
homes for each and every Pit Bull we take in to our rescue. We will do our
part to regain respect for the APBT by absolutely only placing ambassadors
of the breed.