When Larissa Gavin found a litter of abandoned puppies under a house, she knew she had to do something. Carefully, she took the puppies home, bathed each one, put bows on their heads, and drove them to her boss’s house. Her boss and his family were looking for a new puppy to adopt, and Larissa hoped she could help at least one pup find a forever home. She did. The family chose a puppy from the litter and named her Lola. Larissa likes to say it was Lola’s lucky break in life going from living under a house to a loving family with children. Since then, Larissa and her team have rescued more than 7,500 dogs from desperate situations. Her group, now the non-profit Lola’s Lucky Day, focuses on preparing homeless dogs for adoption and transporting them to new owners halfway across the country .
While most animal adoption efforts are focused on re-homing pets locally, Larissa, a Wisconsin native, helps place dogs in Wisconsin cities where animal overpopulation is not as severe. Wisconsin shelters approve adoptions while Larissa’s team focuses on rehabilitating the dogs.
“We just kind of say ‘it’s your lucky day’ when the dogs come into the program,” she says. The lucky dogs get much-needed vaccinations, spaying or neutering, microchipping and medical treatments before their journey to placement shelters. Then, a team of volunteers shuttles the dogs halfway to Wisconsin. They stop in Pocahontas, Arkansas where a team from Wisconsin picks up the pups for the final leg of their journey. Soon after, dogs arrive at shelters where pre-approved owners await.
“People are just so excited and so happy,” Larissa says. “They are anxiously awaiting these dogs.”
Lola’s Lucky Day is completely volunteer-led, runs entirely on donations and these days is busier than ever. Daily, overcrowded animal shelters email Larissa begging her to accept dogs slated for euthanasia. Other times, residents ask her to take in strays. Those wanting to help Lola’s Lucky Day can donate online or volunteer.
SIDEBAR
Tiny Paws – Rescue for tiny dogs TinyPaws.org
Hooves and Paws Animal Rescue – HoovesAndPaws.org
Friends of Montgomery County – HumaneSocietyofMontgomeryCounty.org
Montgomery County Animal Shelter – MCASpets.org