Timeline

SEPTEMBER 2025: Social media efforts continue in opposition to Ruff House Rescue, Inc. A new blog article highlights the ongoing failure of Suffolk County officials to take action against Diane Indelicato, raising serious concerns about animal welfare and legal oversight.(blog)  The campaign “Shut Down Ruff House” launches both a Facebook page and a dedicated website: (website)  Additionally, a Reddit user creates a subreddit to share updates and discussions: (/r/longislandrescue)

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SEPTEMBER 2025: The next court appearance in Diane’s criminal case is scheduled for October 9. She has now brought on a new criminal defense attorney, a move that signals intensifying legal trouble and a mounting defense effort. Appearance dates can be confirmed through the New York eCourts system: Web Crims (for Diane Indelicato). (screenshot)  (screenshot 2)  (screenshot old)

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SEPTEMBER 2025: Inspector Bark has a podcast episode planned for September 10 on podbean to speak about "Pulling Back the Curtain On Imposters Within the Animal Rescue Community" (podbean)​

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AUGUST 2025: The Ruff House Rescue Accountability Project—which has been highly effective in exposing the harsh realities behind RHR's operations and the animals harmed in the process—has now been shut down by Meta (Facebook and Instagram), presumably over a trademark claim involving NY trademark #S23927. Given RHR's long-standing pattern of silencing critics and dodging accountability, one has to wonder: will this website be next? If you're disturbed by this ongoing effort to bury the truth, we urge you to explore alternative ways to participate and receive info. See our "Take Action" section.

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AUGUST 2025: NY Newsday and a blogger have each written about Ruff House Rescue facing eviction by the end of the year. (Newsday article)  (blog)  Quora users discuss recent events. (Quora 1) Animals 24-7 reports on Diane Indelicato's legal troubles. (article)

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AUGUST 2025: A "for sale" sign is seen on the Ruff House Rescue van. (image1) (image2)

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AUGUST 2025: Ruff House Rescue agrees to a court-approved settlement in their eviction case. The agreement includes a judgment of possession and a warrant of eviction, enforceable after December 31, 2025. They must vacate the property by that date, stop using the second floor by September 30, and pay $10,000 in legal fees. If they fail to comply, eviction can happen sooner. (page1) (page2) (page3) (screenshot) (pdf file)

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AUGUST 2025: According to NY Newsday, new complaints have been filed against Ruff House Rescue. (article)

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JUNE 2025: Operations have slowed. Banned from Long Island pet stores and dropped by many venues, Ruff House Rescue occasionally appears at street fairs. Fewer dogs seem to be housed at the kennel, though new arrivals still come in. Foster activity has declined, with most posts in the foster group coming from Diane and showing little engagement. Main social media pages are also quieter, suggesting reduced volunteer involvement.

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JUNE 2025: Despite growing public concern, Ruff House Rescue maintains a broad online presence: 387k followers on its main Facebook page, 31.3k on Instagram, 3.4k members in its public foster group, 6.8k in its private foster group, and 3k on the alumni page, along with TikTok and YouTube accounts. They remain active on Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet, and maintain a Chewy wishlist. Though they’ve blocked individuals for asking legitimate questions, we’re still including their platforms here. Their public voice remains louder than ours — and louder than the animals'. (Facebook screenshot) (Foster screenshot) (Fosters screenshot) (Instagram screenshot) (Chewy1) (Chewy2) 

 

JUNE 2025: Some dogs are listed at the ranch, including a 4-month-old puppy. On Adopt-a-Pet, adoption fees are listed as high as $800, despite lower amounts shown on the RHR website. (screenshot) (screenshot) (screenshot)

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MAY 2025: The Suffolk County News publishes an article revealing key details about Ruff House Rescue. (link to article)  (pdf of article)  

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APRIL 2025: The landlord files an eviction case against Ruff House Rescue. It is a holdover case, which likely means RHR violated the terms of their tenancy. (screenshot)  June 2025: Diane comments about the landlord. This (video clip)  shows the part of the video where she talks about him.

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MARCH 2025: Diane Indelicato, founder and director of Ruff House Rescue, is arrested and charged with animal cruelty.  (screenshot)  (Newsday article)  (Patch article)

 

2024-2025: Ongoing transport of dogs from TX and S. Korea.​ (screenshot)

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OCT. 2024: Incident occurs that sets the stage for the arrest of Diane Indelicato in March 2025.  (FB link)

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JULY 2024: The current Board of Directors are: Diane Indelicato, Joanne Tully, and Cathleen Makridakis. (GuideStar screenshot)

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JULY 2024: Ruff House Rescue mentions transporting cats but does not indicate whether they are from out of state. If so, Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) would be legally required, making the lack of detail potentially significant. (doc)

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APRIL 2024: Reports of unauthorized adoption events at PetSmart and Petco. (FB link)

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MARCH 2023: Animal control officers rescue two mother dogs and their puppies from horrific conditions at the Ruff House Rescue ranch and bring them to Palm Valley Animal Society. (FB link)

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2022: This year is marked by a noticeable spike in small claims filings — a banner year for litigiousness. (screenshot)

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FALL 2022: Ruff House Rescue animals are relocated to Suffolk County, NY. A new lease is signed for 467 Higbie Lane, West Islip.  (Waze screenshot)

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SEP. 2022: Without a building to house dogs, they are being kept in the adoption vans. (See More Issues.) (FB link)  (FB link)

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AUG. 2022: Fined $6, 600 and ordered to vacate Island Park. (FB link)  Info about the prior continuances:  (FB link)

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AUG. 2022: The Rescue Ranch is restricted from taking in animals. A large sign, posted by the Hidalgo County Health Department, is attached to the front gate, stating that the facility is no longer accepting animals. (FB link)

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SUMMER 2022: Hollywoof in Freeport remains active as a foster home for cats. (doc) (doc) (doc)  

 

MAY 2022: Ruff House Rescue executes a $745,000 deed of trust on its Mission, TX ranch to secure an SBA loan. The filing was required because the organization had exceeded $500,000 in SBA loans, triggering the need for real estate collateral in addition to business assets. (page1)  (page2)  Search the full document here. (screenshot)  (SBA loan)

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2021-2024: Ongoing reports from advocates and workers in Texas allege animal neglect, horrific conditions, and dogs dying at the "ranch."   (See Properties.) 

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2021: Ruff House Rescue is reportedly banned from holding adoption events at pet stores like PetSmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus.

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SPRING/SUMMER 2021: As concerns grow, the organization begins to unravel from within. Seasoned team leads—overseeing everything from fosters and adoptions to fundraising, social media, and maternity care—resign in large numbers. Many had been with RHR for years, but as more comes to light, they step away. The decline in engagement across their social media pages and foster groups speaks volumes. (screenshot)

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MAY 2021: Protesters gather outside Ruff House Rescue to demand immediate action from officials, after years of ignored complaints alleging animal abuse, neglect, and misconduct tied to the organization. (FB link)

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APRIL 2021: Kentucky raid makes headlines, with animals being housed in dangerous conditions. Guardians of Rescue steps in. (See Properties.)

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APRIL 2021: Poster dog Kona is transported from New York to the Kentucky property. (See Remembered.)

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MARCH 2021: Thrifty Pawz thrift store moves to 2438 Grand Ave., Baldwin, NY. (It has since closed.) (LI Herald article)  (screenshot)

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MARCH 2021: Luisa Montalvo, Ruff House Rescue transporter and registered agent in Texas, arrested for (and later found guilty of) animal cruelty. Search agents. (See More Issues.) (screenshot)  (LI Herald article)​

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2020-2022: Dogs in stacked crates at 4140 Austin Blvd., Island Park, NY. The public is not permitted inside. Multiple fines over the years for town code violations. According to the County Clerk's office Ruff House Rescue paid fines including, but not limited to, $750 and $1500. (doc)

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OCT. 2020: Texas issues an arrest warrant for Diane Indelicato over harassment. (doc) 

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JULY 2020: Ruff House Rescue buys a house in Freeport, NY that isn't zoned for animals. Just what every animal rescue dreams of — a pet-free sanctuary. (See More Issues.)  ​(deed)  (screenshot)  (Search deeds) (Search land records)

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SPRING 2020: Adoptions are taking place on the street during COVID social distancing. (News12)​

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SEP. 2019: Ruff House Rescue purchases 5 acres of land in Hidalgo County, TX.​ Search the deed here.  (page1)  (page2)

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MAY 2019: Ruff House Rescue sues a Texas partner for neglect—after allegedly abandoning their own animals on borrowed land and skipping the bill. (FB link)

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2019-2021: Foster network thrives, driven by a steady flow of dogs, enthusiastic volunteers, and regular updates in the foster groups. 

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2017-2020: Dogs crammed into closely placed crates at 4413 Austin Blvd., Island Park, NY. Public not permitted entry. See the letters from the landlord. This address is also linked to Ruff House Rescue in building permit application records, specifically permit #18-9964. 

(Search here).  (screenshot)  (letter1)  (letter2)  (letter3)  (letter4) 

 

DEC. 2017: A viral story about a Long Island man and his dog helps secure a Petco Foundation grant. (Newsday article)

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AUGUST 2017: Ray Romano supports Ruff House Rescue. (LI Herald article)

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JAN. 2017: Ruff House Rescue's thrift store, Thrifty Pawz, has recently opened at 4A Centre Ave., East Rockaway. They are seeking volunteers. Dogs were once kept at this same location. (doc)  (doc)

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2016-2021: Ruff House Rescue utilizes the cat habitat inside the Oceanside Petco to house cats available for adoption. (screenshot) (screenshot)

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NOV. 2016: The kennel in Nassau County, NY has already moved many times since it first opened.  (LI Herald article)

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OCT. 2015-2017: Dogs are housed at 262 Woodcleft Ave. Freeport, NY. Ruff House Rescue is widely known for holding events on the Nautical Mile. The zoning board denies their appeal for a permit to allow animal boarding.  (link)  

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JUNE 2015: 122 S. Long Beach Rd., Rockville Centre, NY. (Newsday article) ​ The "dog rescue and adoption center" is located on Davis St. in East Rockaway.  (LI Herald article)

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JUNE 2015: The organization changed its legal name from Dog Rescue Inc. to Ruff House Rescue Inc. by filing a Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation with the state. (doc)

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2015: A post states that Ruff House Rescue is no longer a NYC Animal Care Center rescue partner. (link)  To confirm they are not currently a New Hope partner, see here.

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APRIL 2015: Long Beach-based Ruff House Rescue is facing a lawsuit over allegations it failed to disclose a dog’s bite history prior to adoption. (article)

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MAY 2014: 4 Centre Ave., East Rockaway, NY. (screenshot)

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2013: "East Rockaway-based organization." (Newsday article) 

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2010-2011: 3208 Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY. (LI Herald article)

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NOV. 2010: Ruff House Rescue, Inc., known at the time as Dog Rescue, Inc., is officially designated as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (link)​  (doc)

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SEP. 2010: Amended board meeting minutes and updated bylaws are created. (doc)

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SEP. 2010: Diane Indelicato is arrested and charged with criminal possession of stolen dogs. (LI Herald article)  (LI Press article)

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2010: Ruff House Rescue operates out of Diane Indelicato's hair salon in Rockville Centre, NY.  (Patch article)

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2009: Ruff House Rescue is founded by Diane Indelicato.