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Lucky Dog Refuge

@luckydogrefuge

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Where every dog is a Lucky Dog 🐾
Founded in 2020
Seen on @animalplanet The Puppy Bowl, @thedodo, @thedogist & more!
New Hope Partner with @nycacc

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Come meet some Lucky Dogs and support rescue at one of our upcoming events! by @luckydogrefuge

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7 hours ago

🐾 WE’RE HIRING 🐾

Lucky Dog Refuge is looking for dedicated, hardworking animal lovers to join our team.

This is not an easy job. Most days are spent cleaning up after poopy puppies, walking 7+ miles in every kind of weather, handling scared or reactive dogs, running dogs to vet appointments, and multitasking from the moment you walk through the door until the moment you leave.

But it is also the most rewarding work imaginable.

Every single day, you will help save lives. You will give dogs who came from abuse, neglect, abandonment, and unimaginable circumstances a second chance at life. You will witness transformations in real time — terrified dogs learning to trust, sick dogs healing, and rescue dogs finally getting the fairytale endings they deserve.

And in return? You’ll receive the most unconditional, grateful love imaginable.

🐶 WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:
• Dog handling experience (especially difficult/reactive dogs)
• Experience with group play
• Strong multitasking skills
• Team-oriented mindset
• Comfortable engaging with people
• Valid driver’s license
• Leadership/management experience preferred
• Weekend & holiday availability required
• Willingness to jump in and do whatever needs to be done

📍ABOUT THE ROLE:
Lucky Dog Refuge operates 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with shifts typically running:
☀️ 7am–2pm
🌙 1pm–8pm

This role requires consistency, extensive training, and long-term commitment. We are looking for people who truly want to grow with the rescue — not short-term or seasonal help.

Pay is based on experience.

If you have a strong work ethic, a huge heart, and a passion for rescue, we would love to hear from you.

❤️ Apply today at LuckyDogRefuge.com taken in Lucky Dog Refuge CT by @luckydogrefuge

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5 months ago

The only thing better than a Lucky Dog? A Lucky Dog coming back to show off just how lucky they got. 🐶

The glow-ups! The wagging tails! The proud parents! The dogs who clearly run their households now! (As they should.) There are SO many things we love about Luckypawlooza, but nothing tops reuniting with our #LuckyDogRefugeAlumni and the families who love them.

Seeing dogs we once held, healed, worried over, and cheered on return as happy, spoiled, ridiculously loved members of their forever families? THAT is our favorite kind of happy ending. 🥹

This year, nearly 50 Lucky Dog alumni came from far and wide to strut their stuff, collect some belly rubs, and remind us exactly why we do what we do. And to their incredible humans: THANK YOU. Thank you for loving these dogs the way they always deserved, for giving them the lives we dreamed of for them, and for continuing to show up for the dogs still waiting for their turn.

Most of all, thank you for helping us keep the promise we make to every dog who comes through our doors:

Once a Lucky Dog, ALWAYS a Lucky Dog. 🍀🐾

We can't wait for next year's reunion! Adopt, Don't Shop. FOR THE DOGS! ❤️

***

How many alumni can you identify in these photos?

***

A huge thanks to @tischmanpets, @editkephoto, and all of you who helped us capture so many incredible memories at this year's festival. Let's keep the fun going! taken in Mill River Park by @luckydogrefuge

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4 hours ago

One week later, and we’re still feeling the love from LuckyPawlooza 2026! 🐾💗

Together, we raised over $65,000 (before expenses) and welcomed more vendors and nonprofit partners than ever before!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered, attended, donated, sponsored, and helped make this incredible day possible. We couldn’t do what we do without this amazing community.

Every dollar helps us continue changing the lives of dogs who need us most.

Thank you for showing up for the dogs!
Until next year! 🎉

Photos by @editkephoto and @tischmanpets by @luckydogrefuge

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17 hours ago

🐾 FOSTER FRIDAY: Meet Lando… All the way from the streets of Phuket, Thailand! 🇹🇭

Lando was rescued by our incredible partners at @soidogfoundation, an organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and improving the lives of street dogs and cats across Asia.

Each year, we work to welcome a handful of dogs from Soi Dog, strengthening our global rescue network and extending our impact beyond borders.

Lando’s fosters describe him as calm, incredibly sweet, happiest outdoors, and a professional lounger. His favorite hobby? Rolling around in fresh towels, performing what they affectionately call the signature Lucky Dog Roll! 😂

Thank you to our incredible fosters and Lucky Dog Alum @amazing.maiseyy for opening their home to Lando!

#FosterFriday #LuckyDogRefuge #SoiDogFoundation #RescueWithoutBorders taken in Lucky Dog Refuge CT by @luckydogrefuge

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2 days ago

🚨 We’re officially halfway through October, which means we’re halfway through Pit Bull Awareness Month! 🐾

And we couldn’t let the month go by without showing some love to one of the most misunderstood groups of dogs in rescue.

Ah yes, the infamous pit bull. The dog whose reputation makes them sound like a menace to society, yet somehow their biggest struggles include being denied a second dinner, sharing the couch, and surviving 30 seconds without human affection. 🙄

But behind those big blockheads, muscular builds, and complete disregard for personal space is a much bigger issue.

For years, bully breeds have been labeled aggressive, dangerous, and unpredictable. Unfortunately, those stereotypes have real consequences.

🚨 Here’s what we wish more people knew:

🐾 “Pit bull” isn’t one specific breed. It’s an umbrella term used for several breeds and mixes. And spoiler alert: you can’t determine a dog’s personality by the shape of its head.

🐾 Breed alone doesn’t determine behavior. Genetics, training, socialization, environment, and individual experiences all matter. Dogs deserve to be judged as individuals, not stereotypes.

🐾 Shelters are overflowing with bully breeds. Housing restrictions, misconceptions, and breed discrimination make finding forever homes even harder.

🐾 They’re dogs. Not villains. They need training, structure, exercise, veterinary care, and love. You know… the same things EVERY dog needs. Shocking, we know. 🙃

And can we talk about how many of these supposedly intimidating dogs are terrified of vacuum cleaners, refuse to go outside in the rain, and believe personal space is a government conspiracy?

At Lucky Dog Refuge, we’ve met bully breeds who are goofy, affectionate, stubborn, sensitive, playful, and everything in between. Because THEY HAVE INDIVIDUAL PERSONALITIES.

We’re not saying every bully breed is perfect or right for every home. We’re saying no dog should have to fight a stereotype before getting the chance to find a family.

🐾 SWIPE ➡️ to meet some of Lucky Dog’s very own bully breed residents and see just how many days they’ve been waiting for their forever homes.

Slate ♣️
- 912 days

Skylar ☁️
- 218 days

Bryc by @luckydogrefuge

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3 days ago

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 by @luckydogrefuge

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4 days ago

Happy #TonguesOutTuesday from our newest cuties! These 5 adorable dogs are from our partner @nycacc ‘s Manhattan facility. Today we went out there and after meeting each of these dogs there was no way we could leave without them. These 3 girls and 2 boys are now ready for the next step; we are excited to get to know them and find their perfect furever families. With their goofy, playful pawsonalities we went with a game theme for their new names for their new leash on life!

Please meet 💕Jenga💕, 💜Domino💜, 💙Scrabble💙, 🩵Yahtzee🩵 and 🩷Kerplunk🩷! Applications are open but we will be taking some time to let them settle, get medical attention and learn who they are to ensure we can find them the best future.

#boroughbred #adopt #rescuedog taken in Lucky Dog Refuge CT by @luckydogrefuge

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5 days ago

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 taken in Mill River Park by @luckydogrefuge

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6 days ago

*A week from today - Sunday, October 18, 2026*

Capture a beautiful moment—and help save a life. 🍂📸🐾

Renowned photographer Geoff Tischman is generously donating his time and talent to host a special fall photography fundraiser benefiting Lucky Dog Refuge!

Join us on a beautiful private property in Darien, Connecticut, where Geoff will capture timeless photos against a scenic autumn backdrop. Bring the whole crew—your family, kids, significant other, and of course, your four-legged family members—for photos you’ll treasure for years to come.

Each 30-minute private photography session is $150, with the session fee donated directly to Lucky Dog Refuge to help provide food, shelter, medical care, and second chances to dogs in need. One social-media-resolution digital photo is included with your session fee.

🍁 30-minute private photo session
📍 Scenic private property in Darien, CT
📸 Photography by @tischmanpets
🐾 Families, children & pets welcome
🖼️ One social-media-resolution digital photo included
❤️ $150 session fee donated directly to Lucky Dog Refuge

Capture the ones you love while helping us save the ones still waiting to be loved.

Space is limited, so sign up early to reserve your session and turn your family photos into something even more meaningful. ➡️ link in bio!

RAIN DATE: Saturday, October 24, at the same time and location. taken in Darien, Connecticut by @luckydogrefuge

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7 days ago

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 🤪 by @luckydogrefuge

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7 days ago

🎉🎟️ 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 😅.) taken in Lucky Dog Refuge CT by @luckydogrefuge

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7 days ago