Jack Russell Terrier (JRT) owners know: these dogs are smart and very, very energetic. Jack Russells can be stubborn, too, which stems from the breed’s origin as a hunting dog. The traits and skills that make these terriers excellent hunting dogs – digging, barking, and an assertive temperament – are often interpreted as bad behavior by uninformed owners.
As puppies, JRTs are incredibly cute and playful; but too many people bring JRT puppies home oh a whim, without properly researching the breed beforehand. They fail to consider if a Jack Russell Terrier would be a good fit for them before bringing them home. They don’t realize that owning a pet is a big commitment. As a result, too many Jack Russell dogs end up abandoned and in shelters.
That’s where Russell Refuge comes in. Located in Rhinebeck, New York, Russell Refuge was founded by Dale Mountan and provides temporary shelter to Jack Russell Terriers who are no longer wanted, or else find themselves homeless. For the last two decades, Dale Mountan and her husband Paul, an equine veterinarian, have rescued and rehabilitated Jack Russell Terriers at their horse farm in Rhinebeck. Since starting Russell Refuge in the late 1980s, Dale and Paul Mountan have rescued, rehabilitated and found loving homes for nearly 1000 dogs.
Dale Mountan and one of her rescue pups at Russell Refuge. [Photo via David Lee/Columbia-Greene Media]
If you are interested in adopting a dog or want to learn more about Russell Refuge, check out their website or visit their Facebook page. More information about Jack Russell Terrier rescue organizations can be found here.
