Shorty's Rescue, Inc.

Shorty's Rescue, Inc. It's the personal home and sanctuary of Shorty Rossi Shorty's Rescue, Inc. We offer monthly free veterinary care to low-income individuals and families.

Shorty's Ranch (also called Ranchito de Shorty) is a private mini ranch in La Mision, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, about 50 miles from the California border. Because Discrimination Bites

OUR STORY – OUR MISSION

Shorty’s Rescue started in Los Angeles in 2001 and our headquarters are in San Diego, California and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Our goal is to bring awareness of our bully breeds an

d fight for their rights, fight against dog fighting and fight against breed specific laws (BSL) throughout the United States and Mexico. Shorty’s Rescue has several other programs including Geisha’s House and Hercules Mobile Clinic. We provide free monthly dog obedience training classes to low-income individuals and families. Rescue, rehabilitate, train, and re-home bully breeds through our Geisha’s House Foster Program. We offer free spay and neuter clinics to low-income individuals and families with Hercules' Mobile Clinic Motorhome. Participate in Keynote Speaking Engagements. Enlighten Bully Breed Breeders regarding their contribution to the homeless Bully Breed Population. Pet Owner Support Program to keep our Bully Breeds where they belong by providing food, veterinary care, and training to qualifying individuals. Education Resource for responsible Breed Guardianship, Breed Awareness, Animal Rights, and fighting against BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) laws. Creating a strong voice against stereotyping and stigma—we do not seek your pity and don’t appreciate your prejudice. We are here to help one discrimination case at a time through education, enlightenment and to fight, if necessary, for the underdogs of the world.

Today I took the important step of moving into the house I built for our father. It was a hard decision, but one I neede...
06/26/2026

Today I took the important step of moving into the house I built for our father. It was a hard decision, but one I needed to make. Juan will be moving into my trailer after we celebrate our father’s life on July 11.

In an earlier post, I mentioned he had two kids. I was wrong—he had three. Michael was born in 1962 but passed away at just two months old. Janet was born in 1963, followed by me in 1969. He is survived by two grandchildren, Stephanie and John, and four great-grandchildren: Emma, Gianna, Blake, and Vincent.

As I sit here in the living room, I think of all the days I spent with him—talking about life, watching TV, and sharing beer and wine. He spent a year in Arizona with my sister and nearly a year with me here on the ranch. He was able to spend his final years with both of his surviving children. We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting Janet and me during this time. I can’t wait to see her when she comes to Mexico for our father’s celebration of life.

After a morning of being a bulldozer and destroyer, Augustus does not have a care in the world.
06/24/2026

After a morning of being a bulldozer and destroyer, Augustus does not have a care in the world.

06/23/2026

We had to run some errands in Ensenada and we came back Matteo was at the ranch to bring everybody some entertainment.

Come celebrate our father’s Celebration of Life with his two kids and friends at Shorty’s Ranch (Ranchito de Shorty) in ...
06/23/2026

Come celebrate our father’s Celebration of Life with his two kids and friends at Shorty’s Ranch (Ranchito de Shorty) in Mexico 🇲🇽. Please RSVP if you plan on attending.

Ven a celebrar la celebración de la vida de nuestro padre con sus dos hijos y amigos en Shorty’s Ranch (Ranchito de Shorty) en México 🇲🇽. Por favor, confirme su asistencia si planea asistir.

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06/22/2026

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Melvin Louis “Sonny” Rossi1936 – 2026Sonny Rossi, 89, of La Misión, Baja California, Mexico (formerly of San Antonio, Te...
06/21/2026

Melvin Louis “Sonny” Rossi
1936 – 2026

Sonny Rossi, 89, of La Misión, Baja California, Mexico (formerly of San Antonio, Texas and Arizona), passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026.

Born in 1936 in San Antonio, Texas, Sonny had a lifelong passion for cars and speed. At a young age he built himself a 1930 Model A, and at just 14 years old he got his driver’s license and drove a 1932 Ford out to California. He immediately went to work for an aerospace firm, where he spent over 30 years. Because of his small stature, he was able to fit into tight spaces no average-height person could reach. He was proud to have helped build the legendary Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird.”

While working, he married, raised two children, and built hot rods in his spare time, racing cars and motorcycles.

Later in life, Sonny moved back to Texas to retire, but he couldn’t sit still. He worked another 10 years for an aircraft company refurbishing 747s. Even after “retiring” again, he continued building cars in one of his three garages. That’s when he caught the bug to build a car for the Bonneville Salt Flats. The first car he built there set a land speed record, earning him induction into the Bonneville Salt Flats Hall of Fame.

In addition to his legendary car building, Sonny wrote approximately 30 articles for books and magazines about do-it-yourself tools. His work is preserved in museums across the country: a three-wheel Suzuki motorcycle is in the Don Garlits Racing Museum in Ocala, Florida, and a race car, fire suit, bar stool, and motorcycle are in the Speedway Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In June 2024, his son Shorty, daughter Janet and her husband Greg traveled to San Antonio and convinced Sonny it was finally time to retire and move closer to family in Arizona. In August 2025, he moved to Shorty’s Ranch in La Misión, Baja California, where he spent the rest of his life with his son Shorty and the over 120 animals on the ranch.

Sonny is survived by his son Luigi “Shorty” Rossi, his daughter Janet and her husband Greg, his two sisters Marjorie and Janice, and many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends, and the extended “pack” at Shorty’s Ranch.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Shorty’s Ranch in La Misión, Baja California. All are welcome.

You’re invited to join us in celebrating the life of our father, Sonny Rossi, at Shorty’s Ranch in Mexico on Saturday, J...
06/20/2026

You’re invited to join us in celebrating the life of our father, Sonny Rossi, at Shorty’s Ranch in Mexico on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Estás invitado a unirte a nosotros para celebrar la vida de nuestro padre, Sonny Rossi, en Shorty’s Ranch en México el sábado 11 de julio de 2026, a las 2:00 p. m.

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Deadwood, SD
57732

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