Making a difference starts with you

R.E.A.L. Rottweiler Rescue is a small, private, foster-based rescue that began in Ohio in 2003. Founded by a couple with a passion for the Rottweiler breed, R.E.A.L. is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping dogs in need.

We take in homeless, unwanted, and abused dogs from high-kill shelters, owner surrenders, and rural shelters where resources are limited. While our primary focus has always been on Rottweilers, we also rescue dogs of all breeds and never turn a dog away based solely on breed. All dogs are cared for in foster homes rather than a facility, allowing us to fully assess their personality, temperament, training level, and any medical or behavioral needs.

We have never shied away from dogs with medical or behavioral challenges when an appropriate foster home is available. Our goal is to prepare each dog for success and place them in the right home, not just the first available one. To date, R.E.A.L. has successfully placed over 2,000 dogs into permanent, loving homes.

Although R.E.A.L. began in Ohio, our work has expanded over time. We have long partnered with shelters in the South and along the East Coast, and we are now approved rescue partners with a growing number of high-need shelters nationwide. We have also seen an increase in families applying to adopt from us outside of the Midwest.

As of 2024, Texas is the state where we have experienced the most growth in both rescue partnerships and adoptions. We hope to continue expanding there and, in the future, build similar networks in Florida, California, and the Carolinas, where euthanasia rates remain high.

Pictured is Thor, our very first dog pulled from out of state and adopted in the same area. Thor received his lifesaving rescue tag only hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized at a shelter in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. One incredible person stepped up to foster him temporarily, and it did not take long for her to realize he was home for good. Thor never left, and his story helped pave the way for the out of state rescue and adoption work we continue today.