Lucky Dog Refuge
A Refuge for Second Chances
Lucky Dog Refuge is more than just a rescue; we are a dedicated safe haven committed to giving dogs the beautiful, happy lives they truly deserve. We focus our efforts on providing hope and healing to those most in need, including dogs who have faced abandonment, injury, or neglect.
Our Roots and Mission
Our journey began with a resilient puppy named Lucky, whose survival against the odds inspired our family to create a sanctuary for dogs needing a fighting chance. Since our first official adoption in 2020, we have saved hundreds of dogs, ensuring that each one receives the medical care, rehabilitation, and extra doses of love required to thrive.
How We Care for Our Dogs
Whether at our comfortable facility in Stamford, Connecticut—which features home-like spaces and scenic play yards along the Mill River—or placed within our compassionate foster network, every dog is treated as family. We provide comprehensive vetting, training, and housing to ensure every animal is prepared for a successful transition into their forever home.
Finding Your Perfect Match
We believe that every adoption is the start of a joyful, lifelong partnership. Our thoughtful process focuses on understanding your lifestyle and needs so that we can help you find a companion who will be a perfect addition to your home. We are committed to transparency and support, ensuring both our adopters and their new canine family members are set up for lasting success.
Join Our Mission
Are you ready to welcome a new friend into your life? We invite you to explore our adoptable dogs, learn about our volunteer opportunities, or reach out to our team to discover how you can become part of our growing community of supporters. Together, we can ensure that every dog gets the happy life they deserve.
Trust Assessment
BronzeRated Sep 11, 2026
NonprofitVerifiedOperating 5+ years
FinancesOnline Review Highlights
- Staff dedication and compassion
- Strong volunteer and foster community
- Medical documentation disputes
Coverage We Reviewed
Yahoo Life
Improves Trust
6/4 - Connecticut rescue puppies to compete in LG Channels' World Pup tournament
Two Connecticut rescue organizations will have their dogs participate in World Pup, a new soccer puppy show on LG Channels.
CT Insider
Improves Trust
6/4 - Connecticut rescue puppies to compete in LG Channels’ World Pup tournament
Two Connecticut rescue organizations will have their dogs participate in World Pup, a new soccer puppy show on LG Channels.
Greenwich Free Press
5/21 - Greenwich 8th Grade Capstone Project Highlights Benefits of Pet Rescue
If you are not currently in a position to bring a pet into your home, you can still play a vital role in contributing to these wonderful organizations. Consider reaching out to these shelters to discuss temporary fostering opportunities, which get animals out of kennels and into a home environment. Additionally, these nonprofits rely entirely on financial donations, volunteer kennel assistance, and supplies from their public wish lists to keep their doors open. – Ava Caroll
Stamford Advocate
Improves Trust
5/19 - Fund created for Stamford volunteer killed in Potomoc crash helps dog rescue pay rising vet bills
“The Chris Collins Legacy Fund has really been a safety net for us,” said Kirsten Mende, co-founder of Lucky Dog Refuge.
Recent Videos
10/14 - It’s been a BIG week at the vet, and it’s only Wednesday! @vcadarien Our pups have been keeping the vet busy this week! 🐶 Domino arrived with a wound on her foot and is getting it taken care of today. 🐶 Raggedy Anna was spayed and had a gastropexy (stomach tacking). ❤️🩹Terra went back to see @thevetcardiobro for her follow up echocardiogram and got the all clear- she’s looking great after her heartworm treatment. @vcavrec 🐶 Lando had a checkup for his skin. 💩 Lots of fecal tests for our crew! 🐶 Tiny Hunter got neutered. 🐶 Cinderella got up to date on her vaccines. 🦷 And Lenny is at the vet today for a dental! We’re so grateful to be able to get every dog the care they need and deserve, but you can probably guess what all of this means… 💸💸💸 Our vet bills are adding up FAST! ❤️ Can you chip in today to help us cover these medical expenses? Every dollar makes a difference, and no donation is too small! Can’t donate right now? You can still help in so many ways! 🐾 Share this post 🐾 Comment and help us spread the word 🐾 Repost to your stories 🐾 Volunteer your time 🐾 Apply to foster and help us save even more lives! Every vet visit, every procedure, every little step toward healing is possible because of YOU. We never want finances to stand between a dog and the care they need. From all of us at Lucky Dog Refuge, THANK YOU for making this work possible. We couldn’t do it without your continued love and support! 🐾❤️ #LuckyDogRefuge #RescueDogs #VetBills #DonateToday #RescueSavesLives StamfordCT
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10/13 - The sun was shining, the weather was great and the pups were out in full force!! This past Saturday at LuckyPawLooza was what dreams truly are made of. We were so incredibly lucky for the gorgeous weather but even luckier to be surrounded, supported and loved by so many. From the alumni to the new friends we got to see, pet, scratch and receive kisses from hundreds of dogs. One day of fun fundraising making a difference for the lives of so many dogs in need. We cannot thank our team, volunteers, community, adopters, friends, family and all who traveled near & far enough for making the day so successful!!! So enjoy this boop cam, it’s quite a few dogs, over 10minutes of cuties and probably not even half the dogs and puppies who attended. Thank you thank you thank you from the bottoms of our paws to the tips of our wagging tails for the love. We can only continue our life saving mission with your support and every time you show us you’ll be there. Forever grateful, entirely humbled and truly so very lucky to have the best community anyone could hope for. 🐾 #luckydog #adoptdontshop #rescuedog #dogsofinstagram
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10/11 - heart (and camera roll) is FULL. 🥹🐾❤️ What an incredible day surrounded by some pretty incredible people (and dogs obviously) A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to support Lucky Dog Refuge! From friends, the volunteers, and some of my favorite alumni who made special guest appearances, truly couldn’t have asked for a better day. There’s something so special about seeing so many people come together for one common cause — giving rescue dogs the second chances they deserve. Seeing our alumni thriving with their families, meeting people who believe in the mission, and watching this community continue to show up for dogs who need us most is a reminder of why Lucky Dog does what they do. Rescue isn’t always easy, and it certainly takes a village. But MAN, does Lucky Dog have a village and I am so grateful to be apart of it ❤️ Signing off for Luckpawlooza 2026 🐾❤️ Signing on for Luckypawlooza 2027 🤪
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10/11 - 🎉🎟️ WE HAVE TWO LUCKY WINNERS! 🎟️🎉 The results are in, and we're thrilled to announce the winners of our Luckypawlooza raffles! 💰 50/50 RAFFLE: Congratulations to Elizabeth Kaplan, who is taking home a whopping $1,775! 💸🐾 🎤 HARRY STYLES RAFFLE: Congratulations to Nancy Gernert, who won TWO PREMIUM TICKETS to see Harry Styles LIVE at Madison Square Garden on October 16! 🍉✨ 🏆 WINNERS: Please email km@luckydogrefuge.com to claim your prizes! We hope everyone had as much fun at this year's Luckypawlooza as we did! There is nothing quite like seeing our community come together for a day of fun, friendship, and festivities, all in support of the dogs who need us most. 💕🐶 A HUGE thank you to everyone who purchased raffle entries and supported Lucky Dog Refuge! Whether or not you walked away with a prize, you've helped make a difference in the lives of rescue dogs who need us most. And that's a win worth celebrating! (Is it too early to start planning next year's Luckypawlooza festival? Asking for a friend 😅.)
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10/11 - I couldn't record the scene but it was pretty funny when a very nice photographer was trying to get a picture of my deaf blind boys at the Lucky Pawlooza event today. Photographers make squeaky noises and wave their hands to get kids and dogs to look at them during photo shoots. It's an ingrained habit that works most of the time. Even when they know Piglet and Georgie can't hear or see them, they continue to use those methods. And they do not work! So how do we get Piglet and Georgie to pose for pics? How do we get pics of them "looking" to the camera? First off- a lot of patience. I take lots of pictures and videos waiting for them to look. I have a tap signal that works really well with Piglet. Once he focuses, he goes right into pose mode. Here's how it works- when Piglet was young, when he looked at the camera I would immediately give him a treat. At first i didn't even realize how he interpreted the treat but my timing was so amazing i inadvertently taught him to look at the camera. I added a tap signal and he put it all@together bc he truly is that smart and amazing. Thanks to @luckydogrefuge for the beautiful event today.
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10/10 - Well done @luckydogrefuge What a turnout!! A great day at Luckypawlooza 🐾 Please check their website for adoptable dogs. More photos from the event coming soon 🐾 . . #luckypawlooza #stamfordct #adoptdontshop
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10/10 - Blueberry!!🫐. I finish this painting of Lucky Dog Refuge’s Blueberry last month, but I have been waiting to post it until today’s Pawlooza Event! We will have it at the Crafty Cre8tions table for all to see and it will be given to Lucky Dog for their use! Hope to see you at Mill River Park from 12-5pm today!
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10/9 - We can’t wait for Saturday! 🐾🎉 Join us for our annual festival and fundraiser, **LuckyPawlooza!** It’s Stamford’s biggest celebration of dogs! 🐶 📍 @millriverpark 📅 Saturday, October 10 ⏰ 12–5 PM Get ready for a day packed with adoptable dogs, amazing rescue organizations, local vendors, food trucks, live animal presentations, K9 demonstrations, a lure course, agility demos, and SO much more! 🎈 Bigger and better kids' activities, including inflatables, FREE face painting and glitter tattoos, and a touch tank from the Maritime Aquarium! 🎟️ **Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for kids!** Best of all? Every ticket supports the lifesaving medical mission of @luckydogrefuge, helping us give dogs with the greatest needs the second chances they deserve. ❤️ Bring your family, bring your friends, and OF COURSE, bring your (on leash, friendly) dogs! 🐕🐾 **See you Saturday, Stamford!** #StamfordCT #MillRiverPark #DogFestival #AdoptDontShop #RescueDogs
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10/8 - Two years ago at LuckyPawLooza, Sammy the beagle pulled hard on every walk. By the end of our demo he was walking on a loose leash next to his owner. Her words: "He's never done that." We're back this Saturday, Oct 10, 12–5 PM at Mill River Park in Stamford. Bring your dog and come find the Sit Means Sit booth. Can't make it Saturday? Book a free consultation at sitmeanssitctny.com (link in bio). #LuckyPawLooza #StamfordCT #MillRiverPark #DogTraining #LeashPulling #FairfieldCounty
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10/8 - 🎟️🐾 50/50 RAFFLE AT LUCKYPAWLOOZA! 💰 (Link in bio) We asked some of our Lucky Dogs what THEY would do if they won the lottery… and let’s just say, they have some pretty big dreams! 😂🐶💭 Now it’s YOUR turn to dream big! We’re hosting a 50/50 raffle at LuckyPawlooza, where half the jackpot goes to ONE lucky winner and the other half goes directly to Lucky Dog Refuge to help save dogs in need! 💰 The more tickets sold, the BIGGER the prize! 💕 Can’t make it to LuckyPawlooza? You can still enter to win from afar! You don’t have to attend to take home the jackpot, and every entry helps us give rescue dogs the second chances they deserve. 🎉 One lucky winner gets the cash. Our Lucky Dogs get a brighter future. Everyone wins!
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10/6 - Happy Birthday to Lucky Dog fan favorite, Audrey! 🎉🐾 Audrey has been with us for so long that it feels like she should be turning 35 instead of 25! 😉👵 She joined the Lucky Dog family at just 19 and has celebrated so many milestones with us since — late night term papers, college graduation, her 21st birthday at Luckypawlooza, a gap year, and now vet school! No matter what phase of life she’s in, one thing never changes: Audrey always shows up. Weekends, school breaks, holidays — if she can be at Lucky Dog, she is. ❤️ Along the way, she adopted one of our spicy seniors and has given her the absolute best life, while her family has opened their home to two very lucky pitties of their own. Rescue clearly runs in the family! Audrey is basically our real-life Rory Gilmore: smart, driven, dependable, an old soul, and somehow always juggling approximately 47 things at once. Just waiting for science to catch up so we can clone her.👭👭👭 Happy Birthday, Audrey! We are so lucky to have watched you grow from a 19-year-old college student into the future Dr. Audrey Sharp DVM! Today, we wish you nothing but the absolute best — and we’ll even refrain from hoping that you quit vet school and come back to Lucky Dog full-time. ...but JUST for today. 😉
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10/1 - We have some amazing adoptable puppies at the Refuge right now! 🐾 Meet some of the adorable puppies currently looking for their forever homes! 🤎 🐕🦺 Raggedy Anna — a beautiful Giant Schnauzer puppy. (An experienced adopter is required for this breed.) 💙 The Blue Litter — a group of adorable mixed-breed puppies ready to find their families! Available: Celeste Azul & Cornflower 🐾 Macy & Martin — two little singletons who were found on their own and are now looking for forever homes. 🦇 Batman — a sweet boy found in West Va who needed a safe haven. We believe he might be a hound mix? If you’re ready to add a puppy to your family, apply today at luckydogrefuge.com! Once we receive your application, we’ll reach out to you to schedule a meet & greet at the rescue. We can’t wait to help these babies find their forever homes! ✨
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