Gatekeeper K9 Rescue

Home
United States
Baldwinsville, NY
Gatekeeper K9 Rescue

The rescue operates within the greater Syracuse area of NY state. We do not charge for services. Box 826, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.

Gatekeeper K9 Rescue is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal rescue dedicated to saving lost and stray dogs, as well as educational outreach aimed at preventing dogs from becoming lost. The mission of Gatekeeper K9 Rescue is to prevent dogs from becoming lost by educating dog owners and caretakers and to bring dogs who are lost to safety through careful, dedicated search and rescue. If someone claims to work with the rescue and asks for money, they are lying and trying to scam you. Do not send them any money and discontinue communication immediately. Donations can be made on our page or through our website at gatekeeperk9rescue.org/donate. Our website accepts cards, direct bank transfers, PayPal, and Venmo. Donations can be made directly through PayPal at PayPal.Me/gatekeeperk9rescue or through Venmo by finding us . Checks made payable to Gatekeeper K9 Rescue can be mailed to P.O.

09/26/2026

Twyla's story ....

In early July 4 dogs showed up to a house on the Onondaga Indian Reservation. With no dog control or rescue organization, finders are on their own when encountering a loose dog.

Luckily for these 4 they chose the best possible yard to take up residence in. Of the 4, one was a puppy only weeks old, 2 had porcupine quills in their face and one appeared to be physically fine.

Friends Forever graciously accepted the puppy into their adoption program. One of the quill dogs passed away due to advanced infection. The other quill dog, now knows as Rocky was taken in by RescueLove and still needs further surgical care to remove the remaining quills.

That left Twyla on her own. As the weeks passed she would become more comfortable with her chosen dad, Warren and his pack of 4 that also showed up to his door in years past. But she simply would not allow a leash. Her well being became more urgent as she developed an Injury to her back that was in the beginning stages of fly strike.

Once again RescueLove stepped up to take Twyla on and address her emotional and physical needs. In the days since her capture she has begun to heal her mind, and body.

Should you feel inclined please support RescueLove in their efforts to bring both these innocent creatures back to health.

I envision a world where every dog is for their entire lives.

Thank you Warren for being a voice for so many. You are the reason these 3 dogs get to have good lives.

Always remember

08/15/2026

It's been quiet here .... I've been quiet..... lost dogs are the the best way to find yourself in my opinion.

This is Orie's story.

The day after moving to his foster home Orie would escape his crate and the house and spend the following week traveling the 3 rivers / Lamson area of Phoenix. Even traveling as far north as the old Club 48 on one occasion.

His routine was pretty typical utilizing logging roads and long driveways. One of those long driveways belonged to Jenna and Jesse who were so gracious to allow me access to their yard for feeding stations and ultimately the trap that would bring him to safety.

After finding his feeding station and planning a return 24 hours later, he decided to make me wait 8 long hours of truck sitting, in true rescue fashion, finally waltzing In at midnight.

We then took a ride to camillus where Kristen Basko met us at 1am to give him a safe place to rest and hang until his forever can be found. Thank you Kristen for always stepping up.

A few folks have asked if I'm still here. The answer is yes. After saying goodbye to 3 dogs in 7 months I haven't really known what to say here so I've kept the stories of those I've helped to myself as I did at the start of this journey 6 years ago. Loosing Ginger who is the reason this organization exists left me somewhat lost and shocked and forced a lot of reflection years before I ever expected it.

While we've been able to keep helping dogs these last few months,the funds to do so are dwindling.

Thank you for your support as always. The dogs thank you !

If you prefer to support with something tangible, our 10 cameras have eaten batteries like candy these past few months and we could use a restock of them. They can be found here on our Amazon wishlist along with other donation options.

Donate — Gatekeeper K9 Rescue https://share.google/8HbXfGbvZdZUcqHS2

Thanks so much everybody ! Choosing to spend your hard earned money to support this mission means the world to me..... and the dogs more importantly.

Welcome back Orie.

04/04/2026

I've thought about what to say in this post over a month now and just cannot find the words... I wasn't ready.

January 8, 2020 a Golden Retriever named Ginger was newly adopted and quickly jumped her fence. She put miles on quickly traveling all over O Hill, Fairmount, Camillus, Warners before finally being captured in Camillus Park on January 30, 2020.

Ginger is the reason this organization exists.

After loosing my first Ginger of 13 years I felt compelled to help this Ginger. When I went out in that snowstorm that first night looking for her I had no idea the impact she would have on me or so many others.... or the absolutely insane amount of work, frustration, and exhaustion every lost dog recovery is.

February 23 I had to say goodbye to Ginger after an unexpected and highly aggressive case of mast cell cancer. In 3 short weeks she was gone.

I still haven't processed it yet. I always thought I'd have more time for walks and cuddles.

Ginger was always accepting of anyone 2 or 4 legged. Always patient with Arnie bumping into her..... I like to think he is able to see her now.

Annie who just joined us absolutely loved Ginger. Every time I let her smell Ginger's collar her tail practically wags right off. A testament to the impact Gingers quiet, calm and stoic energy had on everyone around her.

Thanks to Stillwater Vet Services Ginger was able to pass peacefully right in her spot on the couch allowing everyone to say goodbye and understand where she went. Watching Annie grieve was the worst part of the entire process.... Dogs are amazing.

Ginger lived for snow and I was so grateful she spent her last 30 minutes on Earth in the snow. It was a beautiful book end to her story after first rescuing her in the cold and snow 6 years ago.

I'm sorry it ended this way Ging. Thank you for trusting me. I hope you now understand where I was so many hours away from home, helping dogs just like you. Take care of Arnie for me,I miss you both profoundly.

Here is a link to Ginger's page I created when she was out on her first adventure 6 years ago... before I learned all I have about lost dog recovery. I spent some time reminiscing today.

https://www.facebook.com/share/19WTz3UH8K/

I love you Ging.

01/04/2026

Necessity is the mother of all invention.

In March of 2020 I ventured out on my very first dumped dog in Constantia NY. A blue heeler now named Jake testing my patience on a daily basis. He wouldn't entertain any trap but this one. Since then it's brought about a dozen more dogs to safety.

In late October I was contacted by a wonderful husband and wife team (Dave and Joanne) doing big things in Herkimer County area. They had been working on a lost dog for months and wondered what other ideas I may have. After hearing the details I felt the drop trap was the way to go. So I dusted off my custom built drop trap and hit the thruway to set things up and condition this sweet boy which normally takes 5-7 days.

He loved his marrow bones from the butcher so everyday he got one on every visit thanks to Joanne keeping him fed and supplied.

Generally, the longer a dog is out and the more experiences they have the harder they get to trap. Not always, but often. Walker was no different but his bone obsession would be his demise.

This trap runs on an electric magnet which releases when the laser beam is broken. (Sim to a garage door safety sensor).

In walkers case the reflector was attached to his beloved bone. He was at his most vulnerable when grabbing his bone. As he lifts his bone the laser beam is broken, the magnet releases and the trap falls.

After at least 3 months on his own he was finally safe again, and so thankful to be.

Walkers story as we know it is that he was purchased from PA to be a hunting dog and upon arriving to NY bolted in fear. His new owner had no interest in taking him back as is so often the case.

Thank you to Herkimer County Humane Society for taking this sweet boy in and finding him a perfect home.

Thank you Dave and Joanne for never giving up. Walker is a loved family member thanks to you.

Stop treating pets as a commodity. They can still have a job and be loved and cared for properly.

May you forever be Walker.

Always remember

12/07/2025

Grief is the price we pay for love.

Anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to a dog that loves them will tell you the pain is like nothing else.

November 8th I said goodbye to my boy Arnie after almost exactly 8 years. I love all dogs unconditionally but I never understood the term soul dog until Arnie. I was his eyes and he was my purpose. We had a bond that words will never touch.

While trying to be home as much as possible to spend my final weeks and days with him i was in contact with Syracuse Dog Control regarding Annie who had immediately escaped following a private rehome situation.

One day I saw a sighting post of her and the resemblance to Arnie hit me so hard. I thought to myself, I think she's supposed to be with me.

A few days later she was fast asleep in a warm crate decompressing in the same house that had protected Arnie for the past 8 years.

My existing pack of misfits welcomed her home and just like that I'm back to 4.

The supply of unwanted dogs is only getting worse. Please help us continue bringing these lost souls to safety.

Please visit our website for other donation options in addition to FB.

https://www.gatekeeperk9rescue.org/donate

I love you buddy and I'll see you when I get there.

Arnie and Annie will both be forever ..... just in different ways.

Address

Baldwinsville, NY
13027

Website

http://gatekeeperk9rescue.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gatekeeper K9 Rescue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.