Be Remarkable: Washington County nonprofit has been helping animals for more than two decades

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – For more than two decades, Melanie and Dale DeAeth have dedicated their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating animals through their non-profit organization, True Blue Animal Rescue. This rural Washington County couple has made a remarkable impact on the lives of hundreds of animals in need, and their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Melanie DeAeth, one of the co-founders, has been honored as the latest recipient of the “Be Remarkable” award.

The journey of True Blue Animal Rescue began over twenty years ago when Melanie and Dale decided to create their own no-kill animal rescue. “We fostered for different organizations, and then Dale and I decided that we wanted to start our own organization,” Melanie shared. Their mission was clear: to provide a safe haven for animals in distress.

True Blue Animal Rescue specializes in rescuing a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. Unlike many shelters, True Blue does not operate a public facility. Instead, all rescue operations take place on the Daeths’ private property, with the support of numerous volunteers and foster families. “Foster homes are a huge way to help because there are never enough foster homes,” Melanie explained. “We are a foster home, basically, but a large foster home, so we maintain probably about 20 dogs and about 30 horses right now.”

The non-profit collaborates with law enforcement and other organizations to rescue abused, neglected, or abandoned animals. They focus on rehabilitation and finding new homes for these animals. “We work with Brazos County, Grimes County, Washington County, Burleson County—all the surrounding counties. The biggest thing we’ve helped them with was taking in horses when there was nowhere else to put them,” Melanie said.

True Blue Animal Rescue operates solely on donations and grants, which are used directly for veterinary care, rehabilitation, and feeding the rescued animals. In addition to their rescue efforts, the organization offers educational programs for children, inspiring the next generation of animal advocates.

One such advocate is Antonella Ochoa, who nominated Melanie for this week’s award. Her admiration for the DeAeths’ dedication and hard work highlights the profound impact they have on the community and its four-legged inhabitants.

To learn more about the organization or to volunteer or donate click here.

The “Be Remarkable” award is a joint initiative between KBTX-TV and Daniel Stark Injury Lawyers.

If you have someone you want to nominate for our Be Remarkable campaign click here!