Historical Perspective: 2023 - 2025

To give clear context for where Lucky Dog is today, we want to look at the past three years side by side. Each year brought different challenges, responsibilities, and accomplishments — and together they tell the story of how Lucky Dog has evolved.

Dogs & Capacity

2023 – Growth & Expansion

• 58 dogs taken in

• 59 adoptions

• 11 dogs adopted out of the area (NOB)

• Average monthly census: 26.8 dogs

• High intake and placement volume

• Significant infrastructure expansion

2024 – Community Safety Net

• 28 intakes

• 30 adoptions

• 2 NOB (Nick, Gracie)

• 5 fosters

• 2 foster fails

• 33 spay/neuter surgeries

• Average monthly census: 26.8 dogs

In 2024, Lucky Dog stepped in when two local shelters closed:

• Scruffy Doggie Oasis (Flower Fowler): Tiger and Brennan

• Bone Voyage Rescue: Jay and Daisy

This year focused on continuity of care for the Lakeside community during shelter closures.

2025 – Stability Under Strain

• 23 intakes

• 23 placements through adoption or transfer

  • 1 U.S. transfer (Teo)

  • 4 adoption returns (2 later re-adopted)

• 13 puppies cared for

• 15 spay/neuter surgeries

• Average monthly census: 28.8 dogs

• Intended capacity: 22 dogs

• 30 dogs for four months, the highest population in Lucky Dog’s history

Although intake was lower in 2025, the sustained over-capacity population significantly increased daily workload.

Veterinary Care

2023

• Highest veterinary expenses

• 50+ spay/neuter surgeries

2024

• Average veterinary cost: ~7,000 pesos per month

• Included vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, and routine medications

2025

• Veterinary costs averaged ±7,000 pesos per month, lower than prior years due to fewer intakes and surgeries

• Emergency or crisis care not included

Expenses Snapshot

2024 (for reference)

• Rent: 10,000 pesos/month (increase of 3,000 pesos)

• Employee salaries: 16,000 pesos/month

• Dog food: ~7,000 pesos/month

• Veterinary care: ~7,000 pesos/month

Food and veterinary care remain two of Lucky Dog’s largest ongoing expenses.

Fundraising & Donations

2023

• St. Pawtrick’s Day, Garage Sale, Drag Bingo

• T-shirts/merchandise: ~25,000 pesos

• PayPal averaged ~20,000 pesos/month

2024

• St. Pawtrick’s Day: 50,000 pesos

• Garage Sale: 60,000 pesos

• T-shirts/merchandise: 25,000 pesos

• PayPal averaged 18,000 pesos/month

• Christmas wishlist: 5,000 pesos

2025

• Open House: 50,000 pesos

• Garage Sale: 63,000 pesos

• T-shirts: 15,000 pesos

• PayPal averaged 22,000 pesos/month

Volunteers

2023

• 65+ active volunteers

• 25 new volunteers

• 4 new shift leaders

2024

• 24 new volunteers

• 20+ volunteers departed

• Volunteer events: January cleanup day, September cookout

2025

• ~35 new volunteers

• ~30 volunteers committed to weekly shifts

• 2 new shift leaders

Outreach & Visibility

2024

• New website launched (June 2024)

• 1,990 website visits

• 41 email inquiries

• Facebook averaged ~20,000 views per month

2025

• Website sessions increased to 2,595

• Unique visitors: 1,666

• Email outreach increased by 84%

• Facebook followers grew to ~3,500

Big Picture

• 2023: Growth and expansion

• 2024: Community responsibility and continuity of care during shelter closures

• 2025: Stability under strain, operating above capacity for extended periods

Lucky Dog remained operational through all three years because volunteers, donors, and supporters continued to show up — even as the work became harder and more complex.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for Lucky Dog and the dogs who depend on us.