Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue

Our Mission

Making a pawsitive and lasting impact on communities by rehabilitating souls and creating second chances using the power of the human/animal bond.

Marley’s Mutts rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes dogs from Kern County’s high-kill animal shelters. In addition, we utilize the rescue dogs to transform people’s lives. We empower dogs and people to live healthy, happy and productive lives.

Our Story

Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue, Inc was founded by Zach Skow in 2009 during a pivotal time in his life when he was seeking purpose and healing.  As he worked to rebuild his life, he found strength, motivation and unconditional love in caring for his dog Marley.

Marley's Mutts is dedicated to giving second chances to both dogs and people.  Based in the Tehachapi Mountains located in Kern County, CA, Marley's Mutts has become a well-known nonprofit focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs and also running innovative no-cost community-based programs that promote responsible pet ownership, rehabilitation and growth.

Our Programs

Rescue, Rehabilitation and Rehome Program

Marley's Mutts has rescued 6,000 dogs from local high-kill shelters in Kern County.  Dogs are brought to the Rescue Ranch where they undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our veterinarian and are vaccinated, microchipped and groomed if necessary.  Unaltered dogs are promptly scheduled for spay/neuter surgery.  Dedicated Rescue Ranch Advocates provide meticulous care and start basic obedience training.  When additional medical or surgical treatment is required, it is administered to ensure the dog's well-being.  Following decompression, dogs may be placed in foster home in preparation for adoption or join our Pawsitive Change or Troops N Tails programs.

Mutt Movers-Transportation Program

Rescue by relocation is an initiative by Marley's Mutts designed to network and transport homeless dogs to rescue partners with the capacity and resources to provide immediate foster homes or adoptions.  The program partners and collaborates with rescues across California, Pacific N.W. and other states.  These areas have high demand for adoptable dogs, but fewer dogs enter their shelters.  This program saved 1048 dogs in 2025.

Pawsitive Change-Prison Program

The Pawsitive Change Program is a transformative rehabilitation program that partners with California State Prisons and the Kern County Probation Department to provide hope and opportunity for incarcerated individuals and at-risk shelter dogs.  The program achieves significant outcomes for both participants and dogs.  For the incarcerated, it fosters increased cooperation, self-esteem and basic obedience canine handling skills.  Dogs gain trust, obedience and reduced anxiety and fear, all attributes that lead to successful adoptions.

Troops N Tails-Veteran and First Responder Program

Troops N Tails is dedicated to support veterans and first responders through the power of animal-assisted therapy.  Therapy at the Ranch includes a private space for participants where rescue dogs provide therapeutic support and companionship.  Individual and/or group therapy sessions are led by a licensed therapist.  The program assists with issues like PTSD, anxiety, depression and social isolation.  Participants gain improved communication skills, trust and confidence.

No-Cost Spay/Neuter Community Initiative

Animal shelters across California face a critical problem of overpopulation, thus resulting in euthanizing healthy animals.  Marley's Mutts recognizes that to be part of the solution is to invest in the Kern County community by providing no-cost spay/neuter services.  The objectives are to reduce unwanted litters by decreasing the overall population of stray dogs.  The initiative focuses on assisting low-income pet owners to ensure access to essential services.  We partner with Kern SAFE Animal Coalition, a coalition comprised of rescue groups, shelters and volunteers working together to address and educate responsible pet ownership and implement practices that best serve pets and their owners in Kern County.

Miracle Mutts-Therapy Dog Program

The Miracle Mutts Program is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals through the therapeutic power of canine companionship.  This program trains and certifies therapy dogs to provide emotional support and comfort to those in need, including hospitals, assisted living and educational settings.  The all-volunteer program serves up to 13,000 individuals per year.