Odessa is one of the real dog saints in our county (we are so lucky to have a group of these). She works with most of the other local shelters/rescues in the area to save small dogs of all ages and conditions....as she has space available. I have known Odessa for years and have so much respect for her incredible personal commitment to dog rescue. Most of the dogs 'roam' freely in her house, learning to get along with other dogs and with people. Puppies (and moms) stay in the puppy palace (a charmingly converted and furnished garage space). Rescuing and adopting dogs is very hard and very expensive work, since many dogs who were neglected or abused require a lot of love, medical care, and training. Please take any 'negative' reviews with a big grain of salt. All of us who have to deal with the public understand how unreasonable and uncharitable some people can be. This is a truly extraordinary woman who makes great sacrifices to rescue and place dogs in the best possible homes. It's an uphill battle with so many people allowing their dogs to breed and dumping them on rescue. And with some adopters/lookers who can be disrespectful of the process around placing dogs. Very few of us could do this work day in and day out with no reward other than seeing dogs go to the right guardians. Thank you to everyone who supports and adopts from rescue, saves lives, and appreciates those doing the really hard work. And please consider fostering a little dog if you can. It's a rewarding experience being part of the pipeline to forever homes. read more

Odessa Gunn and her commitment to animals is nonpareil (no equal or unrivaled in simpler terms). Every animal that is cared for by Little Trooper Ranch is family, not a rescue or anything less. Little Trooper Ranch is an inviting, safe and loving place for all creatures. 5 stars for Odessa and LTR! https://www.littletrooperranch.org/how-you-can-help read more

This was a very emotional, hard and a serious lack of professionalism from Little Trooper Ranch experience. I had (adopted and payed for 3 chihuahuas.) I had a long discussion with the owner on my first visit about how I've only had chihuahuas and that I, for health reasons and lack of space, couldn't handle any larger or high energy dogs. I believe I made myself very clear on this. I was also surprised at how on the second visit we were rushed through the paperwork process and that the dogs would be available right now instead of the two weeks that she had mentioned. So I got the 3 doggies altogether... 2 puppies and 1 older Chihuahua home.. and one of the chihuahuas had serious aggression issues and was attacking the other 2 puppies not in a pleasant playful way. I called the owner and she apparently knew, had observed this previously and thought there might be a problem with this particular dog but thought "maybe" she would settle down. (We were not told this information in advance.) As this would have been helpful in our decision in adopting this Chihuahua. Sadly we had no choice but to return her. A very stressful sad day. Then the second Chihuahua's paperwork came in which we didn't get (till after we got them home) I realized that the second puppy was not a Chihuahua at all but a "spaniel breed" which was going to grow be twice the size, in need of a lot more space and exercise and a highly anxious breed. Not what I was expecting nor was I equipped for at all as I'm very knowledgeable in Chihuahuas and their breed and temperament. This breed was unfortunately completely different and very anxious and would cry a LOT. I searched his breed and realized this was common with this particular breed of dog. I tried everything to calm him. The more l looked into his breed it was painfully apparent that he needed a different fit of a home. I was extremely upset about this as we felt that information was withheld and she was wanting more so to get rid of these dogs and was overwhelmed rather than handing things upfront, appropriately, professionally, and honestly. We had formed a bond with these dogs we had this puppy potty trained and awaiting a full Vet work up the following week. It was very traumatic for all of us including the dogs. For the this particular breed of dog the only right decision was that he needed more than we could give and we had to take him back. Another very sad emotional day but the right decision for us and the dog. In returning him we were advised that we would not be getting our money back and the blame was then somehow shifted on us. We had bought 3 and 2 of everything and are "again" planning on getting our one remaining Chihuahua a second small Chihuahua companion of which we had planned on all along. Little Trooper Ranch is now (re-adopting selling) this same dog again currently. For the dog's sake this time I hope she puts the time and effort in being honest and completely transparent to the adoption parents in finding the right home and fit for him. I would never promote this place with the experience we personally had. It was heartbreaking all the way around. read more

Little Trooper Ranch - Owner - Animal Shelters Near Me - Penngrove, California

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I was so impressed with Little Trooper Ranch. The owner lives in a beautiful, expansive country setting where where her rescues are free to roam and play all day. I adopted a chihuahua from her ranch last week and we are over the moon! She gets her rescues primo medical care before adoption, but best of all, she loves them. She has volunteers come in to love on the dogs and socialize them. She told me that my dog slept with her in her bed before we adopted him so I know her heart is totally in this for the right reasons. Our family just got back from a trip to Yosemite with our new dog and we couldn't be happier! read more

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What a joy to work with Odessa at Little Trooper Ranch (LTR.) Such a refreshing change from the lack of response, and apparent lack of interest I'd perceived from some other shelters. Due to restrictions imposed by the landlord, my dog had to weigh less than 30 lbs. I adopted my 10 year old chihuahua pup, Daisy, from LTR in March, and we are so happy together. I never thought I'd own a chihuahua - "too small, too hyper, too yappy" but no ........ there's so much affection, charm and mellowness in this little dog, I've completely changed my opinion on the breed! A lot of that had to do with Odessa, her crew, and the loving way dogs are cared for while at LTR. The concern that Daisy and I were a good match, and admonition to get in touch if there were any need for help or advice once we'd settled in, were very reassuring. Visiting Little Trooper Ranch is a pleasure. Such a beautiful setting; the dogs in their care running and playing together in a roomy enclosure, rather than confined in cages. read more

Odessa is a wonderfully caring individual, she is willing doing everything she can to cherish all animals. The ranch is just delightful.

Although we didn't get a puppy from Little Trooper Ranch, I'm writing this review based on my customer service experience. Odessa contacted me almost immediately after I submitted my inquiry. Her tone was a pleasant surprise. I say that because almost every foster or shelter I contacted was either short with me or never replied back, which is sad because I have a lot of love to give & feel bad for the dogs having rude people as their advocate. I found a pup through Little Trooper Ranch named Luke via PetFinder.com & made an appointment to visit Luke. Upon meeting Odessa, she was very down to earth and open to any questions we had. Luke ended up being bigger than we wanted and we almost went home with a Chihuahua named Minnie Mouse, but after careful consideration, we decided to rescue a pup from a shelter. Our decision wasn't based on the experience we had at Little Trooper because we'd love to adopt through her in the future. read more