Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Reid.
Kristin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
They always said, “if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life.” Well, actually you will work your honey off… But you will lay your head down each night knowing you made a difference. If it were my words, I would say it this way ” if you do what you love, it becomes part of you, and you it. ” I truly feel I am doing what I was created to do. It’s more than my passion, it’s my destiny to help the unwanted, the discarded, the neglected and the forgotten.
Mercy is what it boils down to. I never could walk by someone or something in need without doing something. Especially, animals. Animals have no voice. They depend on their owners for absolutely everything.
Living in a rural area on a farm, the perfect dumping ground for unwanted dogs, my “destiny ” was essentially dropped off at my doorstep. From injured, petrified older dogs to full litters that weren’t wanted, but not prevented. They came almost on schedule, once a week. I would vet them and just add another bed until I couldn’t afford to keep up and space became an issue. It was at this point, about 18 years ago, I got into rescue. I was a foster for a licensed rescue in my county who even allowed me to go “pick one” from the Animal Control in my county. Boy was I in for a shock.
The “Animal Control” in my county consisted of 4 runs, all of which would fit in a 10×20 area or less, all of this was outside. At a landfill. Why landfill? Convenience. I’ll leave it at that. The horror of seeing dogs on top of each other that were all about to meet a horrible fate was almost more than I could take. I wasn’t prepared for this. I told the only AC worker that I wanted every single one in the worst pen. By worst I mean one was missing it’s back paw. Completely gone.
Bone was what he was standing on the dirty concrete with. And he was only a puppy (I would later name him Kickstand). It got worse his littermate drug her front leg and had an obvious open wound that sat in unspeakable filth. Only a puppy. Then there was the “breeder” dog that wouldn’t stay in her pen anymore so the owner took her to the kill shelter. She didn’t produce for him anymore so, dumped like trash. She was almost toothless from lack of care and dental disease. And then there was classic plain brown pit bull puppy with parvo. All in together. I took them all.
They ALL survived and thrived. They ALL stole my heart. From that day forward I have seen so many things I should write a book about each rescue and its story… Maybe one day I’ll have time to do that . But I know with each new horror I encounter, I will right their wrongs. I won’t ask them to be perfect. I will let them show me what they need and who they are. In this process, I will be broken but I will also be healed, and mostly, I will be making a difference one life at a time. This is why we are here. To help those around us who need it.
If I am blessed, it’s not for me to keep, it’s for me to share, and in sharing I get far far more than I could ever give myself back. Fast forward to today, I have my own licensed nonprofit, Reid Rescue Inc. it’s small, but I do what I can for the dogs that I take in. RR is a little over 3 years old and we have several permanent residents as well as a new girl, Mira, who is still being treated medically. We are not breed, ability or age specific. I also assist in connecting families looking to adopt with rescues who have the breeds or type of dog that would suite their lifestyles.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Rescue is always a roller coaster. Whether it is going well or not. High highs and very low lows. Nothing about it is easy, but nothing worth doing is. Anytime you become responsible for a life while at the same time being openly accountable for how you run your operation, there is added stress. How to get one thing funded and then another… The never-ending vet bills. The adoptions that fail and you get dogs back… There is no boring day in rescue, so you better hang on for the ride.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Reid Rescue and Royal Salute Farm – what should we know?
I am a horse trainer/coach by profession. I specialize in teaching dressage and hunters. I own and operate Royal Salute Farm that I built from the ground up… Literally. I have taken my rescue passion into horses and assist with placement in some cruelty cases where ponies and horses have been seized by the county.
I actually, with my supporters, pulled our first pony out of a kill lot and got him to my farm in serious condition. He had given up but we fought for him and he pulled through and has been adopted into the most amazing new home. I am most proud of how, at Royal Salute Farm, we commit to the horsemanship, the care of the horse, just as much, if not more, than the sport in which we compete. The horse really does come first here.
I am also very proud of the level of safety maintained for the riders. Safety of both the horse and rider are paramount here. I have some very fancy horses here but I will likely also have some regular basic types. We love them all the same.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would say that there have been too many supporters over the years to name. I don’t have one role model. I tend to just seek to lead a life that focuses on what really matters. I try to weed out the clutter. I am the stall cleaner, the feeder, trainer, the owner, maintence…
If it needs to be done, it’s most likely me that’s doing it. I personally care for every animal here every day. Dogs, horses or otherwise.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 478-719-3164
- Email: royalsalutefarm@gmail.com
- Facebook: Reid Rescue or Royal Salute Farm
Image Credit:
Alicia Frese Klenk
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
