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As many of you know, the Lucky Dog Operations Team (Shift Leaders and Leadership Teams) has been working to develop a more effective organizational structure to better meet the needs of the dogs in our care and our community. To move forward, we’re looking for volunteers to help in a few key roles. These positions can be filled by individuals or small teams. 🔹 High Priority Treasurer (approx. 5–8 hours weekly) Monthly meeting with accountant Payroll and banking oversight Online banking and monthly reconciliation Helpful skills: spreadsheets/Excel, online banking, problem solving (requires Permanente residency) President (approx. 20–30 hours monthly) Strategic and fundraising planning Approving expenditures and special projects with LD board Annual board meeting with accountant (typically March) Helpful skills: leadership, communication, problem solving, collaboration (requires Permanente residency) 🔹 Next Priority (non board members) Operations Manager (approx. 5–8 hours weekly) Coordinate maintenance and operational needs Facilitate monthly ops meeting with shift leaders and Adoption / NOB Adoption teams Support day-to-day operational coordination Fundraising Coordinator Develop fundraising ideas Oversee events with President and volunteers These roles help create stability, structure, and long-term sustainability for Lucky Dog and the dogs who depend on us. If you're interested, curious, or would like more information, please message us or comment below. Even sharing this post helps. Thank you for being part of the Lucky Dog community and supporting the dogs in our care. 🐾 Lucky Dog Operations Team

When it's wash day, and you're a Lucky Dog volunteer.

Wag. Run. Catch. Repeat.

On March 12, Megan and Jack started a new journey in Bend, Oregon, at Street Dog Hero (Animal Rescue Services | Dog Adoption Portland | Dog Fostering). While we were sad to say goodbye, we know they will have a good home there and a better chance at adoption. Here they are at the the airport, getting ready to fly out. First Class, bebes!

Hi! I'm Noah, a volunteer at Lucky Dog Adoption and Rescue. If someone were to ask me my favorite thing about volunteering here at Lucky Dog, I would have to say the pups! But of course, everyone would have the same answer if asked the same question, so I'll change my answer to the community. One of my favorite things about Lucky Dog is the way you'll have support, want to volunteer but no way to get there? No worries, volunteers can help you with a safe car ride there and back! You'll always feel safe and cozy even when you're completely new, if you have any doubts there's always a more experienced volunteer nearby to answer your questions. And the added bonus of being able to care for sweet dogs who always want to get to know you better! I’ve always been the type to beg my mom for another pup, even with a full household; Dogs have always been a weak spot, and if your household currently can't adopt another (Or one in general) then this is for you! Happy wagging tails await!

Today, Millie, Ben Hur, Cookie, and Axel completed their journey to Bend, Oregon, thanks to the partnership between Lucky Dog and Street Dog Hero (https://www.streetdoghero.org/). All four dogs met the detailed travel requirements, including vaccinations, microchips, heartworm and screwworm testing, flea and tick treatments, and official health certificates, which were finalized on December 29. The logistics—preparing three large crates and one medium crate, meeting airline requirements, booking flights, and arranging transportation—came together smoothly. This successful transfer marks a significant milestone for Lucky Dog. If future transfers with Street Dog Hero go as well as this one, we hope to continue with monthly or bi-monthly trips, helping even more dogs find foster homes and, ultimately, permanent families. Now in Bend, the dogs are settling into foster care, with permanent homes as the ultimate goal. Thank you to everyone who generously donated time and money to help our Lucky Dogs arrive safely. Your support made this possible. We’ll continue to share updates as the dogs adjust to their new environment and move closer to adoption. Ayla and Josh at the airport with their precious cargo.

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.

As we close out 2025, we want to take a moment to share a clear and honest look at what this year looked like for Lucky Dog Lake Chapala. This report reflects not just numbers, but the collective effort, care, and commitment that kept Lucky Dog going during a challenging year. Dogs Served in 2025 23 dogs taken in 23 placements through adoption or transfer 1 dog transferred to the U.S. 4 adoption returns occurred; 2 of those dogs were later successfully re-adopted 15 spay/neuter surgeries completed 13 puppies cared for Average monthly census: 28.8 dogs (Our intended capacity is 22, meaning we operated above capacity most of the year.) Fostering Outside (non-LD) fosters: 1 Lucky Dog fosters: 3 Post-surgery / recovery fosters: 10 Volunteers Approximately 35 new volunteers joined us Around 30 volunteers committed to weekly shifts 2 new shift leaders stepped up Our volunteers continue to be the backbone of Lucky Dog, supporting daily shelter operations, vet transport, fundraising, outreach, dog care, and behind-the-scenes work that often goes unseen. Fundraising & Donations Open House: 50,000 pesos Garage Sale: 60,000 pesos T-shirt sales: 15,000 pesos PayPal donations averaged 22,000 pesos per month Veterinary Care Expenses vary by year depending on intake and medical needs. 2025 veterinary costs averaged approximately +/-7,000 pesos per month, lower than prior years due to fewer intakes and surgeries. This includes spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and routine medications. Emergency or crisis care is not included and can significantly increase costs when it occurs. Dog Food Costs (Mainstay) Food remains our largest expense after rent and salaries. Adult dogs: 4 bags per week (20-kg bags at ~650 pesos each) Puppies: puppy chow until 3 months of age, averaging 2 bags per week during puppy periods Estimated Mainstay cost: ~10,400 pesos per month ~125,000 pesos per year Baseline Cost of Care Approximate cost per dog: ~600 pesos per dog per month ~7,200 pesos per dog per year This estimate reflects routine food and veterinary care only and does not include emergencies, infrastructure repairs, or crisis situations. Infrastructure & Improvements in 2025 Kennel F was expanded with a chain-link roof enclosure and increased space Cost: ~13,000 pesos (fully donated by volunteers) New dog houses, transport crates, and food were purchased through wishlist donations Community Reach Facebook followers: approximately 3,500 Website & Outreach Summary (2025) In 2025, Lucky Dog experienced meaningful growth in online visibility and reach. Website sessions increased to 2,595 (+631) and unique visitors rose to 1,666 (+422), with traffic led by Mexico and continued growth from the United States and Canada. The homepage and dogs-for-adoption page remained the most visited sections, highlighting sustained interest in our mission and adoptable dogs, while the newly launched volunteer page saw strong early engagement. Although engagement depth declined slightly—likely due to an influx of new visitors—overall reach expanded significantly. Additionally, email outreach increased by 84% year over year, reflecting increased communication and supporter engagement Previous Years 2023 was a high-intake year with major infrastructure expansion and higher veterinary costs. In 2024, Lucky Dog took in 4 dogs from two closing local rescues (Bone Voyage and Scruffy Doggie Oasis), ensuring continuity of care during shelter closures. 2025 focused on stability, responsible intake, and operating above capacity with limited resources. Closing 2025 was not an easy year, but dogs were fed, treated, sheltered, and placed because people showed up — consistently and with heart. Thank you to every volunteer, donor, foster, and supporter who made that possible.

Every week, someone asks what our incredible volunteers do at Lucky Dog — our cheerful little dog rescue and shelter where tails wag and second chances begin. The short answer? Just about everything that keeps our pups happy, healthy, and hopeful. Starting bright and early around 9 a.m. (while the roosters are still bragging), our volunteers roll in with big hearts and comfy shoes. They walk dogs of all shapes and personalities — from teacup-sized pups (we’ve got a dozen growing like weeds!) to sturdy 25-kilo cuddle monsters. Most of our dogs are a friendly middleweight, around 15 to 20 kilos, and every single one thinks they’re a lap dog. After the morning walks, it’s time to freshen things up — clean kennels, refill water buckets, and tidy up anything that’s had a run-in with muddy paws. Every dog gets a cool drink, a kind word, and a loving pat that says, “You matter.” Then comes puppy lunch — a joyful, slightly chaotic celebration of wagging tails and enthusiastic appetites. Afterward, volunteers spend one-on-one time socializing with the dogs, helping them learn that people are kind, and love is safe. A smooth day runs best with six or seven volunteers: a few walkers and a few helping hands for water and cleanup. Most days, we make do with four — but we’d be over the moon to welcome a few more. Volunteer hours are from 9 to 1, and there’s always something helpful to do — folding laundry, resetting dog houses, or tackling the little tasks that keep our rescue running like a happy hound. If you’ve ever wanted to do something meaningful that gives back more than it takes, come on down. The dogs will greet you like a lifelong friend — whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth.