Animal Zone - Big Hearts for Big Dogs: Inside America’s Largest No-Kill Rescue - Season 15, Episode 03

In this powerful and uplifting episode of AnimalZone, we travel to Palm Beach County, Florida, to visit Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest no-kill dog rescue in America. Founder Lauree Simmons gives us an inside look at this extraordinary 33-acre campus dedicated to saving the dogs most often left behind—big dogs.

While puppies and small dogs are welcomed, large breeds make up nearly 70% of the dogs in care, many surrendered simply because they exceed rental weight limits. Since its founding, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has saved over 85,000 dogs, offering a compassionate solution at a time when shelters nationwide are beyond capacity.

Here, dogs live cage-free in spacious bunk rooms with access to playgrounds and swimming pools—designed for enrichment, socialization, and joy. It takes a true village to make it all work: 270 staff members, 5 veterinarians, and 10 adoption counselors caring for hundreds of dogs every day.

We also visit the Senior Sanctuary, a warm six-bedroom home where older dogs enjoy couches, cozy corners, and constant human companionship. These gentle souls are often overlooked, yet they make wonderful companions—especially for seniors, who studies suggest may live longer with a pet by their side.

Finally, we meet dogs rescued from puppy mills—animals who have never known life outside a cage. Here, with patience and kindness, they are given something new: trust, dignity, and the hope of a second chance.


To learn more, visit BDRR.org.

Uploaded on Feb 17, 2026 at 11:28 am