About Us
Opening in the spring of 2020, Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge was founded to assist animal owners during a crisis. By providing temporary shelter and/or assistance we strive to keep families together to reduce the number of animals that require rehoming.
All services are provided by dedicated individuals who share one purpose; animal welfare.
Our Mission
At Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge we will house animals on site, or in loving foster homes, while the owner is not able to care for their animal.
While in our care, Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge facilitates visits and ongoing communication with the owners. Transportation is provided by dedicated volunteers.
Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge tries to teach, inspire and educate all pet owners to be responsible owners by promoting the need for regular veterinary care which includes, vaccinations, microchipping, deworming, and spay/neuter.
Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge will assist owner’s with food and other supplies so that animals may remain in their home.
We rely on the generous donations by others to be sustainable. All donation go directly to the animal care.
Our motto is “Keeping Pet Families Together.”
What We Do
Our vision is to keep pet families together by providing safe and nurturing environments for animals while their owners are unable to look after them.
Murillo Mutts Respite Refuge is a non-profit, registered charity, animal welfare organization dedicated to providing a holistic approach by keeping animals and their owner’s together.
Where They Are Now
Darjeeling (ADOPTED)
Very friendly and curious! Loves to play and to be petted. Gets along well with other cats.
Matcha-ADOPTED
Playful and energetic. Can be a little cautious at first but warms up to you quickly. Loves playing with toys.
Chai-ADOPTED
Very friendly and loves to be cuddled! Extremely sweet. Loves to play. Great with other cats.
Jojo-ADOPTED
Jojo was brought to us months ago as his owner was unable to care for him. He is 5 years old. We were told he was jack russell but he looks more like a chi. He growls a lot but it's all posturing. He is not house trained. He was owned by a man and would love to have a...
Daisy
We are sorry to say that we lost Daisy to Lymphoma on January 14, 2023 Daisy is a 7 year old Jack Russell cross. She has such a sweet disposition. Daisy gets along with other dogs and could care less about the cats. Daisy has one toy that she has claimed and enjoys...
Ellie Foxhound (Adopted)
This is Ellie. Ellie is a foxhound, beagle mix who is looking for her forever home. She is sweet, outgoing, and a loving pup. She is great with walks, gets along with other dogs, and cats. She is fully house trained and will bark at the door when she needs to go out....
Sadie (Transferred)
Hailing from Thunder Bay On meet Sadie. She is a 5 year old GSD. Her favourite game in the whole world is playing with rocks. Chasing rocks, digging rocks, playing with rocks, washing rocks and repeat. Sadie is an amazing dog who loves to play. She grew up in a house...
Ambush (ADOPTED)
Meet Ambush, a New Zealand rabbit. He is approximately 2 years old. He came in for Respite care and his owner did not come back for him. He is a well socialized bunny. He does not mind being handled and even picked up. He comes to you for attention. As this bunny is...
Fanny (Adopted)
Fanny is a terrier cross. She is also approximately 7 years old. Fanny can be very cuddly but she can also be a drama queen especially if you try and pick her up. Fanny has a slight limp on her right front leg. This is just the way she was built and does not slow her...
Tonka (ADOPTED)
Tonka is approximately 5 years old and is a Shih Tzu. This little boy lost his eye but is hasn't changed any of his personality. He is happiest cuddled up to his favourite person or playing tug with one of the other dogs. He likes to play solo as well with balls and...
Rescue Photo Gallery
Our board of Directors
We are currently seeking a volunteer coordinator, foster coordinator, and other directors. We are looking for active members of the board who believe in the betterment of animal lives through rescue initiatives
Robin Ratz
is the chair of the board and the founder of the rescue. She lives on site with her 3 dogs, and 7 cats. Robin has worked or volunteered in animal rescue for over 10 years. She is a Certified Dog Trainer and is registered with CCPDT, She is also a Certified Canine First Aid and CPR Instructor. Robin has recently taken a course in Infection Prevention and has achieved her Infection Prevention Leader Certificate.
Sarah Schoales
Sarah is new to the Murillo Mutts team as the Volunteer Coordinator. Sarah has loved animals since she was a little kid and is passionate about making Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas a wonderful community to live in --- and that goes for all beings, not just the human variety. Sarah grew up in Thunder Bay and has worked in a variety of administrative roles from Human Resources to Volunteer Coordinating. She has chosen Murillo Mutts as her new volunteering adventure since this non-profit has the biggest heart! She looks forward to meeting everyone that keeps Murillo Mutts going strong!
Christine Napierala
is the treasurer for Murillo Mutts. Christine Napierala is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant (CPA, CA) and, since 2016, is the Manager of Financial Services at Hydro One Remote Communities Inc. Previous to that, Christine held various progressive financial managerial positions at North American Palladium Ltd. from 2003 to 2016, and articled at Ernst & Young LLP from 1998 to 2003. Christine was a Board director and Treasurer for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute from 2015 to 2019 and a Board director for Radialis Medical Inc. from 2017 to 2019. Christine is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (2000) and graduated from the accounting program from Lakehead University (1997). She also graduated with a degree from the Technical University of Nova Scotia with a Cooperative Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgical Engineering (1995) and graduated with a Certificate in Engineering from Mount Allison University (1992).
Peggy Pelletier
is a behind the scenes, cleaner extraordinaire director. She has worked at a local veterinary hospital for 16 plus years and has had a life long passion for animals and their welfare. She has proudly joined Robin in several rescue road trips and transfers. She is most proud of her daughter Ashley, son-in-law Robert and grandson Alexandre.
Paul Bishop
is one of our hard working, behind the scenes directors. He is currently working as a front of house manger at a local restaurant, but also works in a retirement home with the elderly. Paul loves people but also loves all animals. He is passionate about being able to help and make a difference in the life of animals, to give them a voice they don't have. He has 2 dogs, Maddy and Dixie. His favorite breed is the bully breed. He tries , because I love tries to help people understand that the breed is totally misunderstood and is a magnificent animal and very loving and loyal.
Tanya Andreason
is the secretary. Tanya lives with her husband, daughter, their dog Rascal and any other animal that Faith brings home.