The LuvPug Foundation

01/12/2025

01/11/2025

Two of the founding members of Locks 4 Paws are in the LA fire area. One reason we started Locks 4 Paws was to be able to help people during natural disasters feed their pets. People have lost everything and their pets are all they have. Something as simple as providing pet food can give them hope. Tomorrow we will be visiting the Pasadena Humane society, spcaLA and Pet Food Express to deliver pet food. If you would like to help us so we can deliver as much as possible you can donate through PayPal or Venmo .

(NOTE: please confirm last 4 digits are 0042 on Venmo as someone is copying our account…it is with NO - (dash) after it. It is a business, not a person)

01/07/2025

The accuracy

12/13/2024

It takes a village…

Who doesn’t need a Friday the 13th ‘Feel Good Friday’ story?

Last Sunday, Dedham Firefighters responded to a house fire on Turner Street.

Not only was the homeowner pulled to safety, but firefighters also rescued his two cats - ‘Tuck’ and ‘Daisy’- from the home. And according to the veterinarian who first treated the pair for smoke inhalation, the on-scene oxygen that firefighters administered to the cats, had a substantial impact on their recovery.

There is a reason we keep pet oxygen masks on board our fire trucks.

Acts of heroics and compassion didn’t end on scene at this fire.

Not only were these cats admitted and cared for ‘round the clock, for several days, by our good friends at Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Newton, but this extraordinary hospital team, who’s partnership we cherish, has made arrangements to cover the cost of the medical care they provided to the cats, so that their owner can focus on his own displacement’s financial impact.

We’ve been talking with the owner of these cats, Jim, from his hospital stay after the fire, and daily, throughout this week, since his discharge.

We’ve been focused all week on our promise to try to find foster care for his cats, while he is staying in a local hotel, awaiting insurance estimates and a restoration plan to hopefully, eventually, be able to return to his home, which was seriously damaged during the fire.

Finding foster care is not easy, with animal shelters and foster care networks filled to capacities with unwanted, stray, and animal homelessness ceaselessly on the rise.

We are however, pleased to report that our efforts paid off, and an hour ago, we picked up the cats from VEG and transported them to another one of our good friends/rescue colleagues, Angela Chansky, who is selflessly providing these two cats with a temporary foster home.

Jim is filled with gratitude for what we’ve been able to coordinate on his behalf and for how much devotion our ‘team’ of responders, caregivers and friends have provided to him - at a time - and during a time (of year) - when the act of giving means so much.

We, too, are so grateful - to have colleagues and resources that enable us to go above and beyond for our residents. We can’t wait for the day when Jim, Tuck and Daisy can be reunited in their Dedham home!

[Photo: Tuck and Daisy-inside a pet carrier as we readied to transport them from VEG to foster]

12/10/2024

As a foster for animals, it is such a tremendous joy when a sick one starts responding to treatment and makes progress.

Shelters and rescues are over full everywhere and they rely on fosters so they can help save more animals in need.

If you are thinking about adding a new pet to your home, maybe try fostering first. The goal of fostering is to find the perfect match for the pet, and it might just be you!

11/08/2024

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

11/06/2024

10/24/2024

The horrific reality of when people buy pets

10/04/2024

10/04/2024

You all have VERY important questions. We are going to do our best to answer all of them. Some of the answers are hard for us too. Thank you for your patience as we redistribute some of our resources back to strengthen our communications. Please know we are doing everything in our power to support our animals, your animals, and our greater community.

1. How can I help?

We have 2 primary needs:
Monetary Donations - we are facing unprecedented challenges. Your donation helps us care for these animals, even in the most difficult circumstances. You can donate at our link in bio or by following this link: https://tinyurl.com/AshevilleHumaneDonate

Gas! Gas allows us to transport our animals to safety, ensure our caretakers can make it to the shelter, and launch our outreach team into the community. You can bring gas to 14 Forever Friend Lane in exchange for LOTS of gratitude.

2. Do you need fosters?

Currently we cannot accept new fosters. If you have fostered with us in the past we would love to hear from you! If you are looking to support amazing organizations through fostering, we encourage you to contact Madison County Animal Shelter, Brother Wolf, and other shelters in your area to find out their needs.

3. Where can I find dog/cat food?
Many of the local food distribution centers including the official FEMA Shelters are passing out animal food in addition to supplies for people. Several pet stores are opening on a limited basis to provide the opportunity for pet owners to access the resources they need (please find resources in the document below.)

4. Do you need volunteers?
This is tricky. Sometimes - yes, desperately. Other times it’s “hurry up and wait.” If there is a specific need for volunteers we will broadcast it here and accept your support! You can also join our volunteer facebook group for the latest updates on our needs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/628322180575286/

5. I found an animal! What do I do?
Out of an abundance of caution we cannot cannot accept animals at this time. Without running water, there is no safe way to shelter more animals. We encourage you to shelter the animal if possible and provide food and water. If you require resources, please refer to the resources we have provided, government issued announcements, and the resources shared by your community. As soon as we are able to accept animals we will let you know!

6. How are the farm animals?
The farm animals are cared for at the Buncombe County farm, and we are hoping to connect with them as soon as possible. We will be sure to provide updates as we receive them.

7. Where can I find veterinary support?
Currently, several emergency vets operating on emergency basis only. We have provided a list of resources shared with us. Please call them to verify their current operating status prior to traveling to their location. If you have non-emergency needs we encourage you to consider a vet consultation app such as Just Answer, Pet Coach, or Chewy’s vet support (please note we have no relationship with these companies)

8. How can I best help the animals in my community?
Bringing pet food to distribution centers, checking in on your furry neighbors, and sheltering strays, if able, are the most important community needs. The shelters, rescues, and community in this area are a team. When in doubt, reach out. There is so much need and we are grateful for your efforts.

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Here’s the deal, team. We are going through unprecedented challenges as a community. Taking care of each other is the only way forward - and that includes chipping in to care for our animals. Please share (verified) resources below. Let us know where the gas is, what distribution centers have pet food, and what shelters are accepting animals. Thank you for supporting each other. Thank you for supporting us.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/154hYrmMKWNKWIwcTkUP8GhcAn4z4LXnFr2AKMgv3Qik/preview =h.6uj98onhfl96

10/04/2024

Sad loss, thankful for ACO’s…

10/04/2024

Please stay committed to your senior pets 🐾

There's something I need to talk about, and I'm going to try to address it as sensitively as I can.
Our sanctuary was established as a safe haven for senior dogs who have found themselves in unavoidable situations, facing health crisis or homelessness in their twilight years. We have taken in dogs from shelters, strays, owners who are unable to care for them due to their own health, or sadly at the time of their own death.
Owners who would absolutely do anything to change the circumstances so they could keep their dog, but are in unavoidable turmoil and situations outside of their control and the choice has been taken from them.
We have provided sanctuary to dogs who need us, because they have nowhere else to go.

Recently, there has been an uptick in owner requests from people who are missing the point of what we do. We have had requests to surrender nine dogs in the last forty-eight hours. If you have a dog, that you have loved and cared for their entire life, and now just can't bring yourself to handle the inconveniences that come with your dog being a senior...we are not the answer. I don't know how people can forget the faithfulness their dog has provided its entire life, and as their body starts to fail and they need their people the most, they would choose to simply surrender their dog instead of supporting them to the end.

As dogs age, as with any living being, their body starts to deteriorate. Organ function, potty function, vision, hearing, mobility...every life has an expiration date, and as they draw nearer to the end, things just don't work like they used to. At absolutely no fault of their own, you have to consider how the dog is feeling after years of "doing the right thing", that first time they don't make it to the door to potty. Will your dog's "accident" be met with kindness and understanding at that time? Or will you be so tremendously inconvenienced that you decide your dog can't live with you anymore?

I don't think people realize what a dog goes through when they are rehomed after years and years with their family. I can tell you that I have cried, many times, for a dog who sits at the window watching for their family and wondering what they've done wrong to make them lose their home. They do not understand. In their deepest time of need, they just want the same support that they've given their humans all these years.

Another misconception that people have, is that we can do anything differently than they are already doing in their power, to provide anything other than a dignified end when it's time. We get messages, "I have a 15 year old dog who is blind and deaf, he has trouble walking and isn't eating well, and can't control his bowels." There comes a time where people think there's something we can do, and time isn't anything I can battle and win. The kindest and most merciful thing anyone can do for their dog is consider their quality of life and be right by their side when you offer that final gift of mercy. It's very difficult to manage these situations where I feel confident a dog might need to meet Jesus instead of me.

More people need to stay committed to their senior pets, I really don't know how else to say it. Offloading the inconvenience of an old dog is not the answer. People just need to do better. Love your old dogs until the end. They need you.

10/04/2024

Yay!!!

Nibi has captured the hearts of people in Massachusetts and around the country — including mine 🦫💕

I’m happy to report that we have issued a permit for Nibi to remain at a wildlife rescue as an educational beaver and inspire folks to protect our natural world.

09/23/2024

Call your friends! The cutest pug ever is available for adoption! pugrescueofnewengland