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'People are leaving their animals behind': Ruffneck Rescue tackles growing animal crisis in West Odessa
By Gabriella Meza at KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC)
· June 19, 2026
· 1 min read
Ruby Mendez founded Ruffneck Rescue, an Odessa-based nonprofit, to address the animal overpopulation problem in West Texas, providing care for nearly 50 dogs at a time and working to find them homes outside of the area.
Why this matters in The Midland
The growing animal crisis in West Odessa that Ruffneck Rescue is tackling has significant implications for Midland residents, given the shared risks and challenges faced by the entire Permian Basin region. As the City of Homes, Midland's own animal welfare is closely tied to the efforts of organizations like Ruffneck Rescue, which is working to address the root causes of animal overpopulation in West Texas. The fact that Ruffneck Rescue is providing care for nearly 50 dogs at a time and seeking homes outside of the area suggests a broader regional issue that requires a coordinated response. Midland's own city government and police department, as well as the Midland Independent School District, may need to consider how they can support or partner with organizations like Ruffneck Rescue to address the animal crisis and its potential impact on public health and safety in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Ruby Mendez founded Ruffneck Rescue, an Odessa-based nonprofit, to address the animal overpopulation problem in West Texas, providing care for nearly 50 dogs at a time and working to find them homes outside of the area.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabriella Meza at KMID ABC Big 2 / YourBasin (Permian Basin ABC). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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