Rare Ontario Pit Bull Rescuer Passes Away but Leaves An Important Legacy

"You were a champion to our four-legged friends who were not 'wanted.'"

It is with an unbearably heavy heart the pit bull community come to terms with the loss of rescue advocate and dog mom, Emily Ugarenko.

Emily, 37, founded Ador-A-Bull Dog Rescue in Ontario, Canada – a rescue based on pulling dogs from over burdened shelters in the United States. Emily and her team saved the lives of hundreds of homeless pups, connecting them with their furever families. Many of these families took to social media to express their deepest sorrows.

“Today everything is wrong. The world has lost a person who cares to make a difference. . . “ – Yvette Van Veen

Tragic House Fire Claims The Life of Rescue Advocate, Leaving Beloved Pup Behind

You were a champion to our four-legged friends who were not ‘wanted.’” – Brandon Eedy.

Emily Ugarenko and her two dogs were in her home when it caught fire late Saturday, May 21. Sadly, none of them survived.

Emily was currently in pursuit of one dog, which she had just filed to rescue from the Glencoe Animal Shelter. “Gray Boy,” as she called him, is an older mastiff mix who has tested positive for heart worm. Dogs, who are heart worm positive, are usually euthanized in shelters due to their illness. Being the incredible, wild animal lover she was, Emily couldn’t turn a blind eye to this skinny boy. He needed a home.

Tragic House Fire Claims The Life of Rescue Advocate, Leaving Beloved Pup Behind

Emily was set to have Gray Boy join her pack as a permanent member, but after her passing, his future looked grim. A good friend of Emily’s, Melissa Eston, contacted the Glencoe Animal Shelter and offered to foster Gray Boy herself in honor of Emily. She has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the adoption, transportation, and medical bills. Once he’s settled and on the mend, he will be available for adoption to the right family.

If you would like to honor Emily and her rescue efforts, please donate to the GoFundMe  campaign and share with friends.

Emily is missed dearly by friends, families, and fur kids. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of all the lives she touched during her brief time on this earth.

Tragic House Fire Claims The Life of Rescue Advocate, Leaving Beloved Pup Behind

“You have an incredible spirit and beautiful heart. That’s so rare in this world. I’m so grateful to have had even a glimpse of being able to share in your gifts.” – Bullybabe M.

  1. GoFundMe 2. LFP 3. Ador-A-Bull 4. Emily Ugarenko Facebook 5. Pixabay
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5 Comments

  • This news is just heartbreaking. Emily was an amazing young woman who was always there with a kind word and ready to lend a devastated family a helping hand. Heaven has a new angel.

  • She rescued dogs from Ontario where BSL is rampant. Many of these dogs were on death row in our shelters simply because of their shape, not anything they had done. She spent countless hours, energy, and dollars rescuing these pups and placing them in loving homes in more enlightened provinces where they could live out their days not judged by their physical appearance.

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