Our Mission — Fighting for Paws
Saving lives. Building second chances. Fighting together.
At Fighting for Paws, our mission is simple: to give dogs the second chances they deserve, no matter where they come from, what they've been through, or how much work it takes to get them there.
Based in the mountains of Nevada City, California, we are a family-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to saving dogs from overcrowded shelters, euthanasia lists, abandonment, neglect, and situations where they have nowhere else to turn.
But our mission is about so much more than pulling dogs from shelters.
It's about rehabilitation, patience, trust, and giving every animal the opportunity to feel safe and loved. Through rescue networking, transportation, veterinary care, training, fostering, adoption, and the continued development of our sanctuary, we work to create a better future for the animals who need us most.
We believe rescue is a team effort. Every life saved is the result of people coming together, working long hours, making impossible things happen, and refusing to give up.
We don't do this for recognition. We do it because their lives matter.
And together, we will keep fighting for paws, one life at a time.
The People Behind the Paws
Fighting for Paws was built on a whole lot of love, determination, sleepless nights, and the belief that every dog deserves someone willing to fight for them.
What started as a passion for saving animals has grown into something bigger than we ever imagined.
Founded by Jullaney McKee in Nevada City, California, Fighting for Paws is truly a family effort. Alongside her husband Tyler, their son Gio, and her best friend Rachael, this rescue has become a shared mission that reaches far beyond their own backyard.
And when we say we do this together, we mean it.
Rachael isn't just someone who helps out. She's an essential part of Fighting for Paws and one of the reasons we're able to accomplish what we do. From networking dogs in desperate situations to helping coordinate rescues, connecting with people, solving problems, and doing whatever it takes to save another life, she is right there fighting alongside us.
The truth is, we couldn't do this without her.
Together, we spend countless hours networking, communicating with shelters, finding fosters and adopters, arranging transportation, raising funds, and figuring out how to help the next dog who needs us.
Some days that means driving across the country. Other days it means caring for the dogs at the rescue, making phone calls, coordinating volunteers, or working late into the night to save an animal running out of time.
Our son Gio is growing up surrounded by rescue dogs and learning firsthand what compassion, responsibility, and standing up for those without a voice really mean. Tyler helps make this crazy, beautiful mission possible, and Rachael is the kind of friend who has become family through everything we've faced together.
We all bring something different to the table, but we share the same heart.
We laugh together, cry together, celebrate every adoption, and carry the weight of the ones we couldn't save. We know that rescue isn't always pretty. It's exhausting, emotional, expensive, and sometimes completely overwhelming.
But then a dog who was once terrified learns to trust again. A dog who was hours from euthanasia gets adopted. An animal who had nothing finally has a family.
And suddenly every difficult moment is worth it.
Our dream is to continue growing Fighting for Paws into a beautiful, safe sanctuary where dogs can heal, learn, play, and have the time they need to find their forever homes.
This isn't just a rescue. It's our lives, our family, our friendship, and our promise to keep showing up for the animals who need us.
We are Fighting for Paws.
And we are stronger because we do this together. 🐾
Thank you for your support!
Every Dog Deserves a Fighting Chance
Fighting for Paws is a family-run nonprofit rescue and sanctuary in Nevada City, California. We rescue, rehabilitate, foster, rehome, and provide safe ground transportation for dogs throughout the United States and Canada.
Fighting for paws
Fighting for paws
Together we can make a difference
Granola
Help Us Give Dogs Like Granola a Fighting Chance
At Fighting for Paws, our mission was born out of love and the will to save lives. It all started with Granola—our brave mascot and the dog who inspired it all. Granola was found abandoned, beaten, shot in the arm, with her tail cruelly chopped off. She was days away from death when we rescued her from a field. But thanks to care, compassion, and determination, Granola made a full recovery and became the heart of our rescue.
Her story represents countless dogs out there, waiting for their second chance. With your help, we can give them the love and care they need to recover, heal, and find their forever homes.
By donating to Fighting for Paws, you’re not just giving money—you’re saving lives. Every dollar helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome dogs who, like Granola, deserve to live in a world filled with kindness and hope.
Join us in making a difference. Donate today and be part of a movement that gives dogs like Granola the fighting chance they deserve.
Contact Us
As a registered nonprofit corporation (Entity No.: 6343691) and a Public Benefit organization, we rely on community support to continue our mission. Join us in changing the lives of these deserving animals.
Contact Us:
Located in Northern California
Phone: 530-388-6466 | 530-338-9171
EIN: 99-4835539