Introducing the Lucky Cat Adoption Program

Earlier this year, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue undertook a new effort to find homes for cats and kittens. We spoke with Amanda Gestl, Lucky Dog’s Cat Team Coordinator, about the new cat adoption program and how animal lovers can lend their assistance.  

Why did Lucky Dog decide to include Lucky Cats in its work?

Amanda: Lucky Dog has rescued several cats over the years, but has recently made the decision to build its cat program. Cats have an extremely high euthanasia rate at shelters across the United States. However, in a volunteer-based organization and with a limited number of staff, it can be extremely difficult to create something totally new. As a three-time cat owner, I felt uniquely positioned to help other cats. I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer as the Cat Team Coordinator. Thus, the cat program began!

What successes have you seen so far?

Amanda: Each and every adoption is a success story, but I am super excited that we had 27 cats adopted in the first two-and-a-half months of the cat program. To put this in context, 29 cats were adopted from Lucky Dog in the first six months of the year [before the cat program was in place]. In a short period of time, we nearly matched the number of adoptions that we had in the first half of the year!

Another recent success is our second store partnership. In addition to Dogma Bakery in Arlington, now Ally & Indy in Alexandria will foster some of our Lucky Cats in a cat condo as they wait for their furever homes. Store partnerships are a great way to give some of our Lucky Cats extra exposure in hopes that a customer will come by and meet their next family member. 

How can people help?

At this point in building the cat program, we are in need of everything—fosters, adoption coordinators, volunteers at cat adoption events, etc.! If you're wondering how you can help, please reach out to me at [email protected].

In addition to needing fabulous volunteers, we really need to get the word out that Lucky Dog also has Lucky Cats for adoption. Most people probably wouldn't think to look for a cat at Lucky Dog, but we can change that through word of mouth! 

Finally, many people believe that a person is either a cat person or a dog person. Dear everyone: These two loves are not mutually exclusive! It’s possible to help both our Lucky Dogs AND our Lucky Cats. You can make the choice to save them all by volunteering whenever you are able, for whichever animals are in need. Even as Cat Team Coordinator, I am still an adoption coordinator and a foster for dogs.

What are your plans moving forward? 

I'd love to have more regularly scheduled adoption events and other special events because these kittens need exposure to find their furever homes. Adding more store partnerships would also be an amazing way to continue to grow the program. I'm excited about so many potential opportunities for these cats, and I'm open to hearing any suggestions all of you may have! 

Written by Kim who is a Lucky Dog volunteer. She is an editor and writer at a nonprofit education association by day and a crazy dog lady by night. Kim and her husband share their home with a black fluffy mutt named Missy.