The Ark of Hope Rescue

About Us

Who We Are

We are a No-Kill rescue, which means there is no time limit that an animal has while it is here. We do not put animals to sleep because:

• They are sick - we get them all the vet care necessary,
• They are old - even the elderly needs love and compassion,
• They are not house trained - we teach them proper "potty rules,"
• They have been here too long - there will never be a "too long!,"
• No one else wants them - the pet will find love here where they have not found it anywhere else!

The only time The Ark of Hope will euthanize an animal is when an animal is in pain and it has been determined its illness is terminal. In other words, when an animal has no quality of life!

The Ark of Hope Rescue, Inc. has the government's 501(c)3 status granting donators a tax deduction for their donations.
We greatly appreciate all donations! Where can you send your much needed donation, your asking...that is easy!

Donations may be mailed or brought to:

The Ark of Hope Rescue, Inc.
13400 Arctic Ridge Lane
Oldtown, MD 21555

Where We Are

The Care Family

Dianne Care

At one time a Vet. tech and now owner and operator of Arctic Ridge Kennels and a member of the Allegany County Animal Welfare Society, Dianne lives her life around her family and pets. For over twenty-five years, the Alaskan Malamute breed has been the breed that has captured her family's hearts. Breeding and raising their magnificent Malamutes has been a thrill that they love to share with others. Boarding, grooming, training and rescuing dogs takes up much of her time. Although rescuing is said to be the most difficult part, "it's all worth it when the tears turn into huge smiles when a pet is placed into a home with a great family and all is happy!" Bobby, Dianne's husband, is the love of her life. They share their home with their 8 Alaskan Malamutes, 5 adopted dogs, and 6 cats! Dianne and Bobby have three grown children. Heather is married and has given them four wonderful grandchildren, Jenna, Jayden and Lauren and a step-granddaughter Tori! Their son, Bobby3 comes home for long weekends to be with the "family" and to help out with the kennel & rescue. Their youngest, Elizabeth is teaching at Allegany College of Maryland, is currently going to Frostburg University and is Dianne's right hand girl! Dianne knows without her family's help and the help of wonderful volunteers the rescue would be impossible for her to do alone. The picture to the left is of Dianne and her German Shepherd "Angel" who was a rescue dog. Dianne is pictured at right with Chance.  Read about Angel in Happy Endings 1 and read Chance's story here.

Bobby

Bobby is the brawn of Arctic Ridge Kennels and the Ark of Hope Rescue. Bobby is one of Maryland's finest, a Maryland State Trooper since 1983. For many years Bobby and Dianne have been raising Alaskan Malamutes because of their love for the breed and found that there was a real need for a Malamute Rescue. And so it began...They did Malamute rescue exclusively. But a few years later they found that there were a lot of other pets that needed their help. When Dianne brought up the subject of building a rescue building for animals that were abused, abandoned or neglected by their owners, right away Bobby started writing a supply list! And there the Ark of Hope Rescue started. Bobby is a wonderful Christian husband, a great father and grandfather. Dianne has said time after time, "If it wasn't for Bobby, his love, encouragement, help with the animals and especially all the hard work he has put into constructing the rescue, none of what we are doing for these animals could have been done." Bobby is a super nice guy which you would know as soon as you'd meet him! Bobby is pictured her with Bailey.  Read Bailey's story here.

Bobby 3

This is Bobby 3, otherwise known as Robert Care, III. Calling him Bobby 3 or B3 is easier! He graduated from Frostburg University with his Bachelor's Degree in 2005. Then May 25, 2007 with his Masters Degree from Towson University. (He was only 22 years old) He wants to teach History at the college level preferably locally at Allegany College. (have any good ideas?) He is currently a Professor at Essex College in Baltimore teaching English. Years ago Bobby had a black lab named "Pepper." He was a great dog, he did everthing with Bobby, Pepper even slept in Bobby's bed. Everyone who knew Pepper loved him, especially Bobby 3! October 30, 2005 we lost Pepper due to an enlarged heart, it crushed the whole family, and again, especially Bobby. He soon learned that he had to put all his love and energy into "Steele" his other dog, an Alaskan Malamute. As you can see by the smile on Steele's face he loves Bobby, lots and lots. Bobby is a great help with the dogs whether at the boarding kennels or the rescue. If he isn't playing with the dogs at play time, he's cleaning pet rooms and yards, working on the building or helping with scheduling. Whatever he's doing you can tell he loves animals. Bobby is a wonderful young man!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth...is a very special young lady! Currently a 22 year old Frostburg University student, she graduated with her brother on May 25, 2007, earning her Bachelor's degree in English. She has started Graduate school, her goal was to complete her Masters Degree in one year being the youngest student from Towson University to graduate with her Masters! Graduation was May 22, 2008! She did it and now is teaching at Allegany College of Maryland but only part time positions are available so she decided to go back to college and get a second Bachelor's Degree this time in Biology then to transfer to Vet School! Elizabeth has a very special way with animals, we haven't found an animal yet that doesn't like her! She comes home from college, not to go shopping or to the movies or out with friends like other girls her age, she comes home to spend time with her family and to help out with the kennels and the rescue. It doesn't matter if the kennels need cleaning, a dog needs grooming or like "Lightning" pictured here, an animal is sick or injured and needs medication or just needs to be held and loved - she's there!

Elizabeth had a yellow lab named "Sandra" who was a rescue dog herself, that she loved with her whole heart. There wasn't anything Elizabeth wouldn't do for Sandra. Sandra was with Elizabeth every minute of everyday and everyone knew that Sandra would have gladly given her life for Elizabeth. The pair was inseparable. Sandra was getting older and slower and at 17 years old she no longer could get up on her own and her old body was failing terribly. Elizabeth sat outside of Dr. Fox's vet hospital on a blanket, in the grass, in the shade of a tree with her Sandra and with Dr. Fox's help, held her until she went to sleep one last time. She loved Sandra so much she couldn't let her suffer any longer. Elizabeth believes that's how every animal should be loved! "Ace" one of our rescue dogs "adopted" Elizabeth! Now she has a "guy" in her life to help her through Vet school! Ace seems to be just the guy to be able to do it!

With everything else Elizabeth has going on in her life she will be starting to work at Western Maryland Animal Hospital in June 2009. If we all had as much love for animals as Elizabeth has, the Ark of Hope Rescue wouldn't be needed, wouldn't that be great?!!!

"I want to thank so many people, I can't print all of their names! I am so blessed to have family, friends and even people that I didn't even know before, to stand beside me and encourage me every day with this, the "Ark of Hope Rescue." Without God's love and His gift of His Son none of this would be happening. He is there for me through every tough time, whether it's a vet bill or my health, He ALWAYS sees me through!! I pray that He blesses you-my friends-as He has blessed me!"

Your Animal Loving Friend... Dianne