Finding Safe & Happy Forever Homes
By Susan Spisak
Sue Richardson, President of the southern-Maine based Lucky Pup Rescue, said that the 501(c) (3) nonprofit was founded in 2007 by her friend and colleague, Janet Wendle. Shortly after, several of her work colleagues came on board, including Sue. That amazing team carries Lucky Pup in the present.
This foster-based nonprofit takes in about forty percent local surrenders for a variety of reasons. “Changing life circumstances would be a good summary of the most frequent reasons given; moving somewhere where they can't take the dog, having a baby and financial concerns…Sometimes a family member has to go to assisted living or passes away and none in the family can take the dog.”
In addition to local strays, they have multiple rescue and shelter partners in the southern US, including their original partners in Arkansas. They have newer partners in Mississippi and Puerto Rico as well. They’ve rehomed 2276 dogs, “There is no one breed more than another. Mixed breed dogs such as lab mixes and hound mixes are popular, but we do get pure-bred dogs through the rescue.”
Sue, who works as an occupational therapist at RSU21 in Kennebunk, said they have over one hundred volunteers who perform a variety of jobs from reference checks to attending adoption events, planning fundraisers, and transporting dogs.
A big volunteer need is fosters--they have ten to fifteen but that’s fluid. “The number of active foster homes changes all the time. We have quite a few teachers that take a break at the very beginning of the school year, families who travel, or play sports in a specific season. Sometimes a foster family falls in love and adopts a dog, so they take a break from fostering.”
“Foster families are the backbone of our rescue, and we can only save as many dogs as we have fosters for. It's one of the few times when you can actually be a life saver. It's free to the family, and we support you through the process.” She added she’s fostered forty-four dogs, with just three ‘foster failures.’
The community supports them, “We are grateful for our doggy daycare partners such as A Dog's Tale in Kittery, and to Super Dogs and Cats in Biddeford who support us through fundraising and hosting events. “Our veterinary partners help us exponentially; Southern Maine Veterinary Care in Lyman has been with us since day one of the rescue in 2007. We have so many businesses and individuals who help us through the day-to-day operation of the rescue. It truly takes a village!”
Lucky Pup has been there for many people and pets. They had a pup come in with a severely injured leg and had it amputated. In walks a potential adopter who requested a special needs pup! That beautiful pup, Gracie, lived a long and happy life using her wheelchair on Maine beaches and spread joy with her incredible howl. Another unusual but sweet story, a CT family visiting Kennebunk saw a beautiful Lucky Pup dog being walked by its foster downtown and stopped for a chat. Long story short, they ended up adopting the pup!
For all info, to see their “Wish List,” and to donate, visit luckypuprescuemaine.org/. Watch their socials for details on the upcoming Adopt-a-Tree Festival.
SNOWY & MOSES
4 year old and 8 year old, Shih Tzus
A handicapped 4-year-old Shih Tzu, Snowy and her black and white best friend, 8-year-old Moses, were abandoned at the groomer! Snowy has incontinent issues but has pants to use, it seems to be more of an issue when she is excited or playing. They are sweet dogs and have had a rough life until they were rescued recently. We realize this pair will take a very special adopter. We are sure the love and joy they will provide to their new family will be well worth it. The adoption fee for these furry friends is $500.
GEORGIE
Beautiful Georgie has been in her foster home now for several weeks and is slowly but surely coming out of her shell. Her foster mom works from home, so Georgie is lucky to have very little alone time, and a canine brother who has become her buddy. Georgie's biggest needs will be a family that can work on building her confidence as new experiences are still a challenge for her. Her foster mom says, " I love how sweet and gentle she is. She has this cute little face, and she has one ear the points straight out to the side and the other flops over. She loves affection…she's such a good girl!
KOVU
9 years old, MIXED BREED
Kovu is a sweet love and approx. 45 lbs. Kovu was returned to our rescue 7 years after adoption due to changing family circumstances. He is working with our friends at Kompletely K9 Dog Training and Rehabilitation to gain some assessment and training under his belt. Kovu had a canine sister in his former home, and they would hang out together while their mom was out of the home for work. Kovu exhibits some signs of separation anxiety, so he may benefit from a family who has someone home more than not.