Our Mission & Story
Ordinary Dogs, Ordinary People,
Extraordinary Survival™
Ruff Rough INC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in San Antonio & SE Texas — recognizing the heroic acts of dogs and the people who rescue them.
Mission Statement
To recognize, celebrate, and support the heroic acts of K-9 rescue — honoring heroes with awards, deploying Drones4Dogs to find lost dogs, and standing alongside disaster-response teams when every minute counts.
Our History
Born from Hurricane Katrina, 2005
Founder Kaye Cruz spent decades covering natural disasters for national news outlets. After Hurricane Katrina struck Gulfport, Mississippi in 2005, Kaye and his media colleagues found dogs dying on the beach — dehydrated after drinking saltwater in their search for survival.
What began as an emergency rescue effort became a movement. The Ruff Rough group worked alongside federal, state, and local agencies to coordinate rescues for animals and people alike — a turning point that revealed the urgent need for organized K-9 disaster response.
Today, Ruff Rough INC continues that legacy: honoring heroic dogs and handlers, deploying drone search teams for lost dogs, and supporting communities when disaster strikes.
Our Impact
Years Since Katrina
Registered Nonprofit
Volunteer-Driven
Drones4Dogs Response
What We Do
Honor K-9 Heroes
We recognize and award the dogs and handlers whose courage saves lives — through national press, ceremonies, and our Heroes program.
Drones4Dogs
Our drone search-and-rescue program deploys thermal imaging and aerial tech to locate lost dogs across South-East Texas — fast, free, and family-focused.
Disaster Response
When hurricanes and floods hit, we mobilize alongside emergency teams to rescue, shelter, and reunite displaced animals with their people.
Stand With Us
Every rescue takes fuel, equipment, and ready hands. Donate or volunteer to help us answer the next call — together.