We had the good fortune of connecting with Shaland Leach and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shaland, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For the past eight years, rescuing animals has been more than just a passion—it’s been my life’s purpose. What began as a spontaneous act of compassion turned into a calling I could not ignore.

It all started in 2017, when I found a litter of six kittens in desperate need of help. Despite having no experience with cats, I brought them home, nursed them back to health, and found loving homes for each one—keeping one kitten who stole my heart. That experience showed me how powerful rescue work can be—not just for the animals, but for the people whose lives they change for the better. I felt an overwhelming sense of purpose, and from that moment on, I knew this was the work I was put on this earth to do.

After six years of rescuing independently, I realized I wanted to do more. With millions of animals euthanized every year simply because there aren’t enough homes, I felt a deep responsibility to expand my efforts and create something with the potential for greater, lasting impact. That’s when I founded Rescue Bae—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to saving lives, building a compassionate and reliable network of fosters and volunteers, and raising awareness about the urgent animal welfare crisis we face every day. Our organization has saved over 500 dogs and 1000 cats.

Creating Rescue Bae was my way of turning passion into lasting impact. What started as a one-woman mission has grown into a community-powered movement committed to giving animals a second chance—and working toward a world where no animal is left behind. As our rescue evolved, so did our vision. With our continued growth, this year we rebranded Rescue Bae to become The Ruff Project—a name that better reflects our mission, our community, and our commitment to being a voice for the voiceless. We call it a project because our work is never done. Every day, we fight for the animals who have no voice, no choice, and no safe place to land. Today, The Ruff Project is more than a rescue—it’s a collective effort driven by love, compassion, and the belief that every animal deserves a chance at a better life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
As the fifth generation in my family’s foundry business and now serving as President, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to learn the ins and outs of running a company from a young age. Under my father’s guidance, I gained firsthand experience in leadership, operations, team building, and the importance of resilience—especially in a demanding and ever-evolving industry.

These skills have been instrumental in the growth and sustainability of my nonprofit dog rescue. Leading The Ruff Project requires the same level of dedication, strategic thinking, and people management I’ve honed in the foundry. From building a reliable network of volunteers to managing logistics and fundraising, I’ve carried over the mindset that no detail is too small and no challenge is too great when you’re committed to your mission. While the two worlds may seem vastly different, the core principles of leadership, purpose, and impact connect them—and I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to serve both my family’s legacy and the animals who need us most.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dog PPL in Santa Monica!

Dog PPL is honestly one of the coolest spots in LA for dog lovers. It’s not just a dog park—it’s a full-on social club where both dogs and their humans can hang out, relax, and have fun. The space is super clean, the staff (aka “rufferees”) are always keeping an eye on things, and the vibe is just really welcoming.

What I love most is the sense of community. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee, catching up with friends, or heading to one of their events—like trivia night or dog yoga—it feels like everyone’s there for the same reason: to connect and enjoy time with their pups. Dog PPL has totally redefined what a dog-friendly space can be, and it’s such a great place to meet people who share the same love for animals.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Sister- Shelby Leach! Shelby and I have owned & operated separate rescue organizations for the past 8 years, but have worked together consistently. She is absolutely incredible & is responsible for saving hundreds of dogs & cats with her own nonprofit, Paws of Redemption.

I can confidently say that I would not be where I am today without Shelby!

Website: https://theruffproject.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rescue_bae/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescuebae/

Other: We are rebranding from Rescue Bae to The Ruff Project->

Previous Website for Rescue Bae: https://rescuebae.com/

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.