When the going gets ruff, a local Fort Worth shelter gets going. The Van den Berg family found themselves in a furry predicament when they planned on relocating with their dog, Rippy, to the Netherlands in September. But after a snarl at a Dallas boarding house, which cited "aggressive behavior," the family was left desperate, their pet couldn't board their overseas flight, according to the City of Fort Worth.
Elizabeth van den Berg, having already uprooted from Colorado, drove to Texas only to have their plans turned upside-down. Rippy was refused by the initial boarding house and three separate shelters, leading Elizabeth on a frantic search for a solution. Due to a lack of room or residency requirements, no other options were left, "I drove all over the Fort Worth metro area and was turned away by three separate shelters," Elizabeth said, per the City of Fort Worth.
Finally, Fort Worth's Animal Care & Control North Campus was their last hope. Shelter supervisor Ryan Ellis initially ran through the reasons why they couldn't take Rippy, until Elizabeth's plea cut through bureaucratic red tape. Ellis quickly reassured her, "Of course I am!" Elizabeth recalled, as reported by the City of Fort Worth.
The family had to take off the next day but left knowing Rippy was in the right hands. Ryan then, despite the Fort Worth Shelter having every reason not to help, they found the space and resources to take Rippy in, as Elizabeth effusively thanked them.
North Campus supervisor Jennifer Stout spearheaded efforts to ensure Rippy returned to Colorado safely, where he waits at a training/boarding facility. The Van den Bergs are now working on getting Rippy moved abroad properly with the helping paws of those at Fort Worth's North Campus. "The gratitude I feel for this organization is exponential, and I cannot thank them enough for taking care of my pup and me," said Elizabeth, as per the City of Fort Worth.
