December 2017 Charity Spotlight: Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue
"Enriching the Lives of Dogs and People, One Rescued Pit Bull at a Time"
Lilo's Promise Animal Rescue is a nonprofit organization specializing in rescuing “bully breeds” in their final days at local Philadelphia and South Jersey shelters and providing them with the lives they deserve. Homeless American Pit Bulls Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and related breeds are welcome to stay with Lilo's Promise volunteers until forever homes are found, no matter how long it takes.
Dedicated volunteers provide dogs with love, veterinary care, and safe housing. During their stay at Lilo’s Promise, dogs receive basic obedience training and exposure to various social situations. The Lilo’s Promise goal is to provide every rescued dog with a “New Beginning” regardless of breed, background, age, or disability by making the best possible match for both the dog and his new family.
Lilo’s Promise co-founders, Anita Anastasi and Jennifer Conners, first met Lilo in 2003 while working as volunteers at a local shelter. Lilo was a young female pit bull with the sweetest face - a favorite of the volunteers. When Lilo became very ill and was hospitalized, Anita and Jennifer spent time together visiting Lilo in the hospital. Lilo eventually returned to the shelter, and to the delight of all, she was adopted by a vet tech who had cared for her. Sadly, Lilo lost the battle with her illness shortly after she was adopted.
Anita and Jennifer were devastated by Lilo’s loss, but through this experience, they learned much about the pit bull breed and discovered they shared a philosophy and a vision of running their own rescue. In 2006, in honor of their beloved Lilo, Anita and Jennifer started Lilo’s Promise Animal Rescue.
In addition to making perfect matches and sharing the joy of adopting a homeless companion, Lilo’s Promise educates the community with programs emphasizing the importance of spaying and neutering, obedience training, and advocating against Breed Specific Legislation while.
The Lilo’s Promise team is working toward a new dream of opening an adoption home and safe haven - a place where dogs can play, train, and live in a safe home environment until they are adopted into forever homes. This dream project is called LOTUS House, an acronym for Life Options through Unconventional Sheltering.
This unique concept is a home where dogs will live, heal, and blossom while learning obedience and socialization. Separate from the successful Lilo’s Promise foster program, LOTUS House will house dogs who need the consistency of training in a safe home environment. At LOTUS House, dogs will exercise every day, play with other dogs, and socialize with volunteers. Dogs will also learn house manners - housebreaking, crate-training, and much more. Lilo’s Promise believes dogs living in this type of environment will be better prepared for successful adoptions.
Lilo’s Promise needs to raise $150,000 to achieve the LOTUS House dream. There are many creative ways you can help including the gift of a financial donation. Please consider joining 4Knines in supporting the dogs in the care of Lilo’s Promise volunteers.
