Dear Friends,
I’m very happy to be back at Marley’s Mutts, reconnecting with the organization that saved my life and has gone on to save the lives of so many others.
Over the last month, I’ve had the opportunity to spend time at the Ranch, get to know so many of the new dogs in our care, reconnect with our team, connect with new staff and board members, and return to our Pawsitive Change prison programs. Being back with our incarcerated students and seeing the impact these dogs continue to have on their lives has reminded me exactly why this mission matters so much. More than anything, I’ve felt the return of the culture that has always defined Marley’s Mutts—the belief that rescue dogs rescue people. Seeing that spirit alive and thriving again has me incredibly excited and empowered to be back leading this mission. But I also know that none of this is possible without your help and support.
At the same time, as we’ve taken a close look at our operations and plans for the future, we’ve identified some challenges that require immediate attention. In reviewing how the organization has been operating, I discovered that while our dogs have always received exceptional care, the organization itself was not being managed with the same level of attention. As we dug deeper, we uncovered that during a payment processing change last year, we inadvertently lost approximately 75% of our recurring donors, dramatically reducing the reliable monthly funding that helps keep our programs running. The impact has been substantial, but it’s a challenge we can overcome together by rebuilding the stable support that allows us to save more dogs, expand Pawsitive Change, and continue changing lives on both ends of the leash.
Its also important for you to know that your support is already helping us build momentum.
In just over a month, our social media engagement is up considerably. Volunteer participation is growing. Adoptions are increasing. Funding for our programming is improving. We are preparing to launch two new Pawsitive Change programs, bringing more rescue dogs into prisons and creating more opportunities for healing, redemption, and second chances.
In short, the mission is growing stronger.
But growth requires stability.
Recurring donations are the lifeblood of organizations like Marley’s Mutts. They allow us to feed and care for our animals, provide veterinary treatment, support adoptions, maintain our rescue ranch, and continue transformative programs like Pawsitive Change.
The need for this work has never been greater.
Shelters throughout California—and especially in Kern County and Los Angeles County—continue to face overwhelming challenges. Large-breed dogs, bully breeds, seniors, and dogs with medical needs are often the most at risk. These are the dogs who wait the longest, have the fewest options, and too often run out of time.
Marley’s Mutts exists to be that option.
But our mission has always been about more than rescuing dogs.
We believe that rescue dogs rescue people.
We’ve seen it in our Pawsitive Change prison programs, where shelter dogs and incarcerated students rehabilitate one another through trust, responsibility, patience, and unconditional love. We’ve seen it in families who find healing through adoption. We’ve seen it in veterans, children, and people in recovery who discover hope through the bond with a rescued animal.
Every day, we witness the truth that when you save a dog, you’re often saving a person too.
Today, I’m asking for your help.
If you’ve supported us in the past, please consider becoming a recurring monthly donor—or checking to make sure your previous recurring gift is still active. Monthly giving provides the stable foundation that allows us to budget responsibly, care for our animals, and continue offering second chances to dogs and people alike. The loss of 75% of our recurring donors created a challenge, but it’s one we can overcome together.
Whether it’s $10, $25, $50, or more each month, your support makes an immediate and lasting difference.
Most importantly, thank you.
Thank you for standing with us through the years. Thank you for believing in redemption, compassion, and second chances. Thank you for helping us save thousands of dogs and impact countless human lives along the way.
The road ahead requires hard work, but the signs are encouraging. More volunteers. More adoptions. More programming. More lives changed.
With your help, the best days of Marley’s Mutts are still ahead.
With gratitude,
Zach Skow
Founder, Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue
