Dear Lucky Dog Family,

Summer in DC is tough. Between the incredible heat and the even more incredible traffic, it's no wonder that people flee the city for cooler temperatures and calmer streets.

Summer is tough in the rescue world for different reasons. No matter where you are in the U.S., shelter intakes rise in the summer. Regardless of the cause: people hit hard times and can't care for their pets, go on vacation and don't arrange pet care, or leave their pets in unsecured yards, the outcome is the same: more and more dogs and cats end up in the shelters. Our shelter partners are no exception.

Here comes the bigger challenge: just as intakes are rising and capacity is stretched in the shelters, our own fosters go out of town for much needed escapes. And, that means we have less room to bring dogs in. Less ability to save the lives stacking up in over crowded shelters.

This is never a good situation. There is never a "good time" for shelters to be full and considering euthanasia for space. But, it seems particularly unfair for this to happen around July 4th. Around Independence Day.

Independence Day celebrates something truly amazing in this country. The birth of a nation. The start of a new life. The chance for our forefathers to leave behind lives of oppression and start living in freedom. Independence from the shelter is something we wish for every Lucky Dog and Cat. Is what drives us to work harder and longer each and every day, fighting for their lives. The chance to start a new life free from fear, oppression, abuse and neglect. The chance to start a new life with people like you.

So, how can YOU help? Consider fostering or volunteering. Whether you overnight foster a dog off transport, full-time foster a dog or cat until adoption, help transport our animals to events or handle them while there. Even if you can spread the word about our adoptable animals. ANY BIT HELPS. Any chance you have to volunteer can and will save lives.

Join our Strut Your Mutt Team. Sign up to raise money to help our Lucky Dogs and Cats. Get your friends and family involved and build awareness for the lifesaving work we do.

Donate. Every dollar you give helps us save more lives. Helps us pay for boarding when we are out of all other options. Gives a Lucky Dog or Cat a little bit of help they need when the going gets tough.

Thank you on behalf of all our Lucky Dogs and Cats!

Mirah Horowitz
Executive Director and Founder
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

June Lucky Tails By The Numbers! 

Last month, Lucky Dog saved 200 dogs & cats from high-kill shelters AND found homes for 158 dogs and cats! THANK YOU to all our amazing volunteers who helped so many happy tails come true!

We Are Excited To Save More Senior Lucky Dogs!

Thanks to the generous grant from The Grey Muzzle Organization, Lucky Dog will be able to give senior dogs like 8-year old Queenie the veterinary and dental care she needs so she'll be ready to go to her forever home. No one is more grateful or loving than a senior dog, and we're looking forward to helping more senior dogs get the second chance they all deserve.

Join Lucky Dog for Summer Fun!

It's summertime and there are so many ways to have fun and help Lucky Dogs and Cats at the same time. You can purchase beauty, health and wellness products from Arbonne independent consultant Stephanie Erwin, and she will donate 50% of your purchase to Lucky Dog. Make your purchase July 25th-28th to save lives. Also, you can enjoy 15% off spa services from ARIA Medispa during the month of August and 10% of the purchased services will be donated to Lucky Dog when you use code "LDR15." There are many enjoyable happy hours and exciting events for you to be a part of -- like Arlington Cornhole at the Energy Club on August 3rd from 1:30-3:30PM and the Old Town Beer, Wine and Dog Festival on August 17th from 12-2PM. Please click the link below to see our many other events.

Volunteer Spotlight: Jonathan Korsen, Home Visit Volunteer and Foster

I do home visits and foster for the same reasons ... to help free up resources for other animals in need, gain background on the dog and to give them time to regroup and recover from their time in the shelter. I am proud to give these Lucky Dogs a place to lay their heads in peace, comfort and safety ... where basic food and water, love and happiness isn't a dream but a practice.

Share the Luck: Fiesta and Pearson!

Have you met Fiesta and Pearson? These two curious and active Lucky Cats are both about 2-years old, and are both looking for forever homes where they can explore and have fun. They are counting down the days until they go home -- for forever! Could yours be the one?

This Month On The Lucky Dog Blog:

Lucky Dog foster and office manager Kate Miller shares the story of her journey into rescue.

Trainer's Corner:

Children and cats can be wonderful companions for each other, but it is crucial to prepare, educate everyone, and set up an environment that is both kid and cat-safe. Continuous education and supervision is key.

Pet Health and Safety:

More dogs and cats are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. Follow these tips from Friendship Hospital for Animals to keep your pets safe and calm over the holiday.