THE EARLY morning hours engulf Estill Springs in a dark silence, but at Lakeside Veterinary Clinic, Samantha Szelich is awake and focused, preparing for a 2 a.m. transport. Forty rescued dogs, alert and fidgeting, are loaded onto a truck where volunteers will drive them, leg by leg, to a rescue facility in another state to find safe homes. For Szelich, this is just another night saving animals, but for these creatures, it’s a new “leash” on life.
Szelich is the founder of Redemption Underdog Freedom Fund (R.U.F.F.), a nonprofit animal rescue that stretches from Coffee County shelters to adoption centers in New York, Wisconsin, and Canada. Szelich also works at Lakeside Veterinary Clinic.
Szelich’s involvement with animal rescue began while studying education at Middle Tennessee State University, where she worked at a gas station with Jessica Brown, a co-worker who fostered animals.
“I have always known I wanted to save animals, ever since I was little,” Szelich said.
Brown introduced her to fostering, igniting a passion that reshaped Szelich’s career path. She jumped at the opportunity to work at Coffee County Animal Control.
“I took a huge pay decrease to work there,” she said. “But it blossomed from there, and it led me exactly where I’m supposed to be now.”
Initially, her efforts focused on raising funds for supplies for shelter animals, but the success led Szelich to relaunch R.U.F.F. as a nonprofit foster care service for animals needing safe homes.
There are no breed preferences or age limits — just a commitment to helping creatures in need. Pregnant dogs, nursing mothers with puppies, senior animals, and those with medical issues all find sanctuary here.
Szelich coordinates about 20 foster families that provide temporary homes for animals for two weeks to three months. Dogs requiring heartworm treatment may stay longer, but every animal receives complete veterinary care, food, and supplies at no cost to foster families.
“We don’t want anything coming out of your pocket, financially,” Szelich emphasized.
The transport network utilizes relay volunteers to help get animals to safe havens. They travel to meeting points in Bowling Green or Columbus, Ohio, where other drivers continue the journey north. Some go to Canada, where pet laws limit the number of pets allowed per household, creating a safer environment for adoptees. Emergency transport can be arranged within days.
None of this would be possible without Dr. Melissa Moreland at Lakeside Veterinary Clinic, where Szelich works as the office manager.
“She told me I could come work here and take care of all the rescue stuff right out of the office. It’s hard to work a full-time job anywhere else and still have time to rescue animals. She is a huge reason for the program’s success,” Szelich said.
Moreland provides discounted veterinary services, a donation drop-off point, and generous flexibility at her office.
“There’s been times I’ve had to call her at 4 o’clock in the morning for an emergency, and she is always there for the rescue,” Szelich said.
Szelich’s 9-year-old daughter, Lake, serves as the organization’s unofficial kitten foster coordinator. Her empathy for cats is strong, though she still gets sad when they leave to go to their forever homes.
Szelich said she is grateful for R.U.F.F.’s board members. The director of fundraising, Frances Anspach, organizes creative campaigns from online auctions to Valentine orders for chocolate-covered strawberries.
Breezy Hayes, R.U.F.F. president, “is always our go-to and our voice of reason when we need it,” according to Szelich. Denise Sutton, their vice president, organizes everything needed for transports and is pivotal to pulling animals in need. Leia Turner, the secretary/treasurer, handles all the required paperwork and taxes, which is essential.
“I couldn’t do it without these ladies!” Szelich said.
Facebook has become R.U.F.F.’s primary outreach tool, where they connect with supporters across multiple states and Canada.
“Facebook has made R.U.F.F. what it is,” Szelich said.
The platform facilitates fundraising, coordinates foster families, and builds an amazing rescue community spanning state lines.
This past March, the nonprofit celebrated five years, opening doors to major grants previously unavailable to newer nonprofits. The team plans to celebrate this huge milestone soon.
R.U.F.F.’s philosophy emphasizes collaboration over competition. Rather than competing with local adoption services, they encourage adoption from Coffee County Animal Control, Tullahoma Animal Control, or other local adoption centers.
“We’re all saving animals together in a different way,” Szelich said.
R.U.F.F. even spays or neuters community pets for low-income families. They help tackle cat colonies as well. It is a community effort from all sides.
For those interested in supporting R.U.F.F., Lakeside Veterinary Clinic accepts pet supply donations, and foster families are always needed. One of their biggest needs is funding for veterinary bills, as many rescued animals arrive with multiple health issues. There are lots of ways to get involved in this caring community.
“I wouldn’t just say that these people are merely my foster families and co-volunteers, but are my personal friends as well,” Szelich said. “The community of pet rescuers is amazing.” GN
Learn more about R.U.F.F. at www.redeemdogs.com, and check out Lakeside Veterinary Clinic at www.lakesidevettn.com.
