Our beloved Cindy Lou, who lost her battle to live way too soon
The backyard of the sanctuary
Named in honor of our beloved Cindy Lou, the mission of Cindy Lou’s Sanctuary is to rescue and provide sanctuary as a loving and safe home for Dachshunds and other small breeds.
When possible we arrange adoptions to forever homes, but we are always committed to each one’s lifelong emotional and physical care.
2 years ago we took sweet Sammy – 21 years old in to our sanctuary – he was so wonderful! He was loved and is missed! ❤️💔 … See MoreSee Less
2 Years Ago
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Look at our amazing new ramp! I’m so over the moon! The volunteers from Google were just so stellar! They worked all day and not only built the ramp out front, they did repairs to the back ramp, fixed some treads that had come loose and added some extra supports. They also took time out after lunch to sit and play with all the little loves here and heard a few of their stories. What a talented and caring g group of people they are! I just feel so lucky! 💕🐾💕🐾. And they found a tiny kitten on the property and also found it a home! Talk about life savers- they literally mobilized and saved a life today Thank you Google! An extra big thanks to Herb Watson for working side by side with the team the entire day! … See MoreSee Less
UPDATE: Peaches has a home! One of the fantastic Google volunteers has a friend who is driving Down from New York to get her!
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Not my usual post! Some of our Google volunteers heard a tiny cry today – this little baby all alone by the shed Can anyone take a kitten? She appears to be about 5 weeks old – very sweet unphased by the dogs barking or the construction noise! Help!! … See MoreSee Less
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Just a few more days to get your June commission ordered!We are so thrilled that our amazing friend and supporter Teri Degopunk has chosen us for her charity of the month!!
Please message her to set up your project! She is wonderful! … See MoreSee Less
Have we talked about Ronnie lately?? He’s a handsome, young tripod looking for a forever family to love! He’s happy, up to date on shots,neutered. Would you like to meet this energetic boy? Place an application at our website: CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
This is incredibly sad – I see so many rescuers who are treated horribly while trying to do the best they can. Please be kind and try to be part of the solution. Remember – we are all fragile humans with breakable hearts cleaning up after people who for the most part have horribly abused/mistreated/dumped/deserted their animals. Few and far between are the people who surrender for all the right reasonsThe wildlife rescue community recently experienced a devastating loss. Mikayla Raines, the executive director of Save A Fox Rescue, passed away in the manner that so many rescuers do: losing a lifelong battle with mental illness.
Her beloved husband Ethan posted a beautiful tribute on the Save A Fox page that I encourage you to watch, but I also wanted to share some words and thoughts of my own.
I did not know Mikayla well enough to call her a friend, but we were in touch with some regularity, and our work often overlapped, and we shared many close mutual friends in common. From people who knew her well, I heard only positive things. The public often got me and Mikayla mixed up, because we are both fox rescuers who have been open with the public about our struggles with autism and depression. I would always laugh and say, “No, Mikayla’s the pretty one.”
About a year ago, Mikayla was given an opportunity to permanently close a fur farm and save *five hundred* foxes. For someone who dedicated her life to ending the fur trade, this seemed like a dream come true, the pinnacle of her entire career. The fur farm agreed to sell her the cages at a low cost so they wouldn’t lose their investments, and she could have all the foxes for free.
Mikayla moved heaven and earth trying to get veterinary care and find homes for all of them. A lot of people love the idea of a pet fox, but few want an unsocialized fur farm fox that wants nothing to do with them. Zoos and sanctuaries took many of them. We were asked, but ultimately said no because of a lack of space. In the end, Mikayla still had dozens of them left and not enough space and resources to adequately house and care for all of them.
I heard the rumors and the gossip: critics saying that it’s wrong to take that many foxes— much less “buy” them— without a full plan for them. That may be true, but there isn’t a rescuer on this planet who has never made an impulsive decision in a desperate attempt to save lives. But I never doubted that she was doing her best and that her heart was in the right place. I felt for her because I understood how the situation happened.
But I failed Mikayla in my own way. When I saw the public and other rescues criticizing her, I didn’t come to her defense. I thought she was fine— she always looked so happy and put-together— and I thought that the criticism and harassment she faced were rolling off her back. Just one day before her death, I didn’t say anything when someone in the comments on this very page had mentioned “the fox rescue that buys foxes from fur farms.” While I know in my heart that it wouldn’t have made a difference, I deeply regret that I had an opportunity to defend Mikayla and I did not take it.
Mikayla’s husband Ethan is too polite, or too justifiably afraid of retaliation, to say the names of the people who harassed Mikayla to death, but I know them and have had my own dealings with them. One of the people primarily responsible for Mikayla’s death is a convicted animal abuser who was shut down after she hoarded, starved, and tortured wild animals. This person tried to distract from this by pointing fingers at rescues like Save A Fox and For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue that maintain ethical and financial transparency and have licenses in good standing.
I have often told other wildlife rescuers that when documented animal abusers become your enemy, it’s a sign you’re doing things right. I just wish the public had understood this, and I wish I had used my own voice to speak up before it was too late.
To all who knew Mikayla, please accept our deepest, most heartfelt condolences for your unimaginable loss. We at For Fox Sake are thinking of you in this difficult time and here for you.
And to those who “knew” Mikayla only by following her rescue online, please channel your grief and anger toward helping the animals that Save A Fox still has in their care, so that Ethan can finish the work that his beautiful wife started. You can make a donation through www.saveafox.org.
And, please: while it’s valid and necessary to criticize “rescues” that are not rescues at all— the ones with major, documented cruelty and the ones that engage in true fraud— please check your sources and your facts before trying to destroy a rescuer’s life, because you could succeed.
Finally, this is a reminder to all that suicidal ideation is a medical symptom and a medical emergency. I am not at all ashamed to say that I have had to be hospitalized for my depression when it was too much to bear. It saved my life and it can save yours too. Please call 988 or 911 if you are in danger.
-Juniper Russo, CWR
Executive Director
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue … See MoreSee Less
💸🐾💕😎 Time for Surgery and BIG medical treatments! We have Saint and Cassandra who are ready to have their Heartworm treatment and Beautiful Breanna and Sunni who need their Spays. We have them scheduled for July 1st! But we need to raise $1,000. A big stretch but if everyone can give a little we can get there Can you help save a life? Set a sweet baby on the road to lifetime of love? Please – every dollar counts!
Venmo: @Janet-Chicka
PayPal: Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org
Zelle: please message and we will send … See MoreSee Less
Foster Angie shared this reel about our sweet Maggie! … See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.… See MoreSee Less
Have you met our sweet Maggie? She is 11 months old, a petite 9 pound chi mix that will steal your heart! She is spending a little time fostering with our volunteer Angie Patterson Davis to get a feel for home life and work on her leash skills! She is spayed and up to date on shots and looking for her forever home! Apply at CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
Have you met our sweet Maggie? She is 11 months old, a petite 9 pound chi mix that will steal your heart! She is spending a little time fostering with our volunteer Angie Patterson Davis to get a feel for home life and work on her leash skills! She is spayed and up to date on shots and looking for her forever home! Apply at CindyLousSanctuary.org
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Have you met our sweet Maggie? She is 11 months old, a petite 9 pound chi mix that will steal your heart! She is spending a little time fostering with our volunteer Angie Patterson Davis to get a feel for home life and work on her leash skills! She is spayed and up to date on shots and looking for her forever home! Apply at CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
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We had two new arrivals this week, they were delivered by Laura A Brogan and came from a Georgia shelter. They are scared but very sweet! The little girl is Daisy and the fine gentleman is Radar (formerly Teddy) Daisy is about 4 and Radar is a venerable old man. They are decompressing and settling in, had rabies today at Pet Supplies Plus – Goose Creek, SC at the low cost vaccine clinic, and are making new friends! They are not bonded just happened to come together … See MoreSee Less
Come on out and see us tomorrow at Pet Supplies Plus – Goose Creek, SC from 10-1:00 208 St James Ave Goose Creek! Sir Didymus says you don’t want to miss out on all the kisses and loves! … See MoreSee Less
Hey Everybody! We will be at Pet Supplies Plus – Goose Creek, SC tomorrow – Sunday, June 15th – from 10:00-1:00 with some of our adoptable babies! Come on out and say hi, get some loves and see what’s happening at the sanctuary!
208 St James Ave Goise Creek … See MoreSee Less
This sweet boy! Banjo just came to us last Sunday – he is as sweet as pecan pie. He loves everyone. He’s also paralyzed with no deep pain sensation. He came with what we thought were calluses on his knees – extremely common for down dogs. I ordered a scoot sac for him, put pjs on him for some protection and ordered a new small xpen to help provide some xtra rest. He’s been my ride along this week with all of Clementines appointments. He does great riding in the jeep! But those calluses? Yeah – not so much – they were hiding deep tissue issues, systemic infection, last night he worked them open, there is necrotic tissue underneath. Back to our vet today – IVs, wound care, home with strong antibiotics and nsaids. Scheduled daily wound care and praying for positive outcomes. It has been a heck of a week. … See MoreSee Less
Clementine says Thanks for all the prayers – I’m still kind of out of it – but everybody says I did great and now I’m on my way home!! ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹. Big thanks to Dr D and the whole gang for their fantastic care of Clementine today at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston … See MoreSee Less
🐾💕 Clementine is dropped off at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston Dr D will be doing her surgery today. Please send prayersyers for successful surgery 🙏❤️🩹 My heart is just breaking for her to be going through this, but I know the whole staff there will be taking great care of her – she was completely miffed this morning that she didn’t get breakfast and kept looking around for it 💕. If you like to donate directly to help her medical costs you can call the office today and tell them you’d like to make a donation for her care. (843) 552-8278. … See MoreSee Less
Daily visits to the vet, and Clementine will still need surgery. There is exposed bone and infection. We need to get it fixed up and that bill will run us $800 we have raised some of it thanks to yall! Now we need to raise some more to get us the rest of the way! Can you help?
Veno @Janet-Chicka … See MoreSee Less
We are so thrilled that our amazing friend and supporter Teri Degopunk has chosen us for her charity of the month!!
Please message her to set up your project! She is wonderful! … See MoreSee Less
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Samson – 26 days that’s all we had. 26 days of love. 26 days to make up for years of neglect. We tried He saw vets, we consulted specialists, he had meds, X-rays, good food, so much love, treats, warm blankies, outfits, he rode along with me almost every day. But the damage had already been done. Yesterday he had a major neurological event. He could not pull out of it. If love could have willed him better he’d be here. But he has flown across the rainbow bridge tonight. This one has torn my soul He deserved more Goodbye my sweet Samson til we meet again. Thank you so much to Dr Thompson and Heidi at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston for their loving care today. Their compassion for our babies and myself was so appreciated … See MoreSee Less
Sweet Sampson is at the vet today – please send some big prayers – he’s not doing well … See MoreSee Less
Clementine says she thinks she’s ok. She really isn’t, but we’re thinking positive. Clementine is what we call a “down” dog – she is paralyzed from her waist down. She has no feeling from her mid spine back. If you run your hand along her back, you can feel exactly where she was injured. She has no deep pain response in her back legs, they just dangle/drag along. She’s been with us for a little bit now and we adore her. But overnight she chewed up one of her back feet – pretty badly. I rushed her to our vet this morning, and after Xrays and an ortho consult, we are going to try and heal the wound. It will require daily vet visits for wound care, dressing changes that will have to be done at the vet for several reasons, not the least of which is that I have a strong allergy to the medication that needs to be applied to help her heal.
We need help, financially this is going to be expensive. If you can help donate for her care we would be grateful. We also can use prayers for healing for her – she is a fighter and feels no pain, but the risk of infection is great and our girl is fragile.
Venmo – @Janet-Chicka
PayPal – Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
We could use some big prayers for Clementine this morning – at the vet for emergency appointment … See MoreSee Less
Transport help! I’m looking for help to get a dog from Moncks Corner to within an hour of Asheville for a meet and greet – anyone able to do a road trip? Could be Saturday, Sunday, or Monday!!! … See MoreSee Less
Please say hi to sweet Sunni – a young (3 year old) Shih Tzu we rescued yesterday. When I pulled into the driveway she started coughing – I immediately isolated her and got her cleaned up – she had an incredible amount of flea dirt on her – 3 scrubs later it’s mostly gone. Shes had treatment and I had her to our fabulous Dr D at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston this afternoon – yes – sadly – kennel cough. But treatable. So isolation, medication and soon she will be heathy and ready to play! She will need a spay but otherwise we believe her to be heathy! … See MoreSee Less
What a difference love makes! It was two years ago we officially kicked off Cindy Lou’s Legacy Sanctuary! As we enter our third year I’m excited at the changes we have made in the lives of so many little loves!
Here’s one of our newest – this is little Gertrude you may have seen her picture when she got here – today she had a grooming and what a beauty she is!!!
Another hidden treasure under all those mats! We are running into our third year with several new dogs needing spays, dentals and now heartworm treatment. If you’d like to help us start off our third year with a bang please consider donating – every dollar helps us help a dog on their way to their best life! In the last two weeks we’ve spent right at $2,500 between medical visits and surgeries.
Venmo @Janet-Chicka
PayPal – Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
Available! Oh my gosh! I left off two great boys – Grayson and Ronnie! … See MoreSee Less
It’s National Rescue Dog Day! We have lots of available little loves! Apply online at CindyLousSanctuary.org
Our fee schedule for adoptions:
0-2 $400
2-6 $325
6-10 $275
10+ $200
Interested in fostering or foster to adopt? Please pm us!! … See MoreSee Less
Sampson is showing off his cutie patootie side today! … See MoreSee Less
This first picture was Mops intake – he went to a foster who had him groomed and presto – dachshund! Who knew – we’ve decided that Bogart is a far more distinguished name for this sweet senior boy (13 years old) so far he would just like a lap thank you very much! Welcome Bogart! Yes we think he’s a mix – his fur feels very much like Breanna’s – our purebred Coton de Tulear … See MoreSee Less
Today we pulled 3 shelter babies – 2 from Dekalb, GA and 1 from Aiken, SC
Gertrude is pretty much a matted disaster – I just shaved half of her naked! But very sweet girl. Cassandra is gorgeous but has just tested heartworm positive and has started doxycycline. Mop came into Dekalb a mess and was shaved down- they were shocked to find a dachshund (mix?) underneath! He’s sweet and gorgeous Huge thanks to Bob from Dekalb and Janet Mueller Saylor from here who worked up a transport to get these sweethearts to us! … See MoreSee Less
UPDATE: thanks to everyone! We have secured transport tomorrow for this sweet girl along with a georgia pull of a wire hair dachshund and a tiny fluffer (6 pounds)
Stay tuned forr more info and pics! Thanks to new Volunteer Janet Mueller Saylor
Hi everyone! Is anyone available to transport a little dog from Aikens to the sanctuary on Saturday?
She’s a sweet little doxie who needs to come to us!! … See MoreSee Less
We took 5 for surgery today – 3 had their surgery today, the other two will have theirs tomorrow! There is still time to help out with the bills if you would like to! The three from today are all doing well – they are staying overnight and we will pick up everyone tomorrow afternoon … See MoreSee Less
It’s Surgery time! Libby, Bella, Grayson (spays and Neuter) and Snickers and Rolf (dentals) are going to our surgery vet next week – can you help us get this last step done before they are ready for adoption? … See MoreSee Less
Today was one of those coolest of all days – this amazing pilot brought these two very special furbabies to us from Lincoln, NC.
Please welcome Pee Wee and Lil Bit to Cindy Lou’s – they are 15 and 17 year old besties who have lived their whole life together with their momma – who surrendered them because she could no longer care for them at 103 years old. I was honored to be able to step in and provide a soft spot for these babies to land 💕 … See MoreSee Less
Rescue #2 for this week – say hello to Grayson! He is 3 years old, about 13 pounds and very fun! Already a master at side eye he took his freedom ride from Lexington this morning! Welcome Grayson to Cindy Lou’s! … See MoreSee Less
In all my rush to post I totally forgot to tell you – we have named him Samson! Strong and brave! He just had a medicated bath, dinner, snuggleles and the nicest walk about in the back yard – peeing without mats and it flowing freely for the first time in maybe years??? Priceless! Welcome Samson- we are in love with you already ❤️ … See MoreSee Less
Update: i should have relayed that the owner is not mentally capable at this time, so will not be held responsible, and did agree to release him to get him help. It does not excuse the family in any way from their neglect of this poor sweet baby.
Today I was able to rescue a dog from a terrible situation. A lovely lady facilitated and together we have brought this boy into Cindy Lou’s to have a fresh start. To say that his care has been criminal is to minimalize what neglect is.
I picked him up and my hands around his belly landed in matted 💩 I put him in rue jeep amd raced him to The Animal Hospital of North Charleston. There Megan and Dr Bailey amd I worked for 2 hours cutting off matts of 💩. We did put a basket muzzle on him at one pointy to keep him from lickingg the very large wound on his front leg. When we had done what we could we had cut 2.8 pounds off this poor baby.
Yes 2.8 pounds!
He has a large wound that is infected and in bad shape on his front right leg. His back legs are not quite working right, we don’t believe it’s neurological at this time, but it was too mich stress to do further workup on his first visit. We have done an antibiotic ahot and take home meds. Hes not able to have vaccines just yet. He has a long and uncertain road ahead of him. But we will take him down that roadad woth love and care every step of the way. … See MoreSee Less
Cindy Lou’s Sanctuary Wishlist | Amazon Gift List … See MoreSee Less
Cindy Lou’s Sanctuary Wishlist | Amazon Gift List
www.amazon.com
What is it we REALLY DO? This. Just this. Dust mop to Dusty to Buddy – dumped to treasured – neglected to forever loved. 💕
This makes my whole world. His new adoptive family just adores him and he clearly feels the same … See MoreSee Less
Updated wishlist!!! … See MoreSee Less
Cindy Lou’s Sanctuary Wishlist | Amazon Gift List
www.amazon.com
We had a great day at Pints for Paws today! Thanks so much to Stones Throw Brewing for hosting and a special thank you to Olivia Whitehurst for organizing! Big thanks to all our volunteers who came out and made the day so very very special – yall make our world rock!! … See MoreSee Less
This is not what I had planned on posting today. But this is sanctuary. Today we said goodbye to Missy. She was one of the 5 we took in from Lexington, and we had been told she was mother to Bear, Pearl, Shadow, and Sugar. She has a tough life, clearly. She was sweet and quiet and easily overlooked in the crowd. She was a super senior and had multiple issues including progressing kidney disease and a heart murmur among other things. But I wasn’t ready when she told me she was. I think I never am. We loved on her and sent her peacefully over the rainbow bridge to run pain free and happy with so many of our little loves. I’m so heartbroken 💔 tonight. I want to thank Dr D and Alison at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston for their love, care and dedication to the babies we bring in, I know I never make this decision alone with them by my side. Fly free and run happy sweet Missy til we meet again at the 🌈 bridge … See MoreSee Less
Milo says just call me Mr Donut! We say call him Mr cuteness! He is doing great after his neuter and has been learning all about being a dog and meeting people! He’s ready to start thinking about some applications- is he the boy for you? He needs a calm steady person who can love him and continue training – he is sweet and lovable and still a puppy at only a year and a half! … See MoreSee Less
Monday when we took our 5 for surgery we brought back an extra 3- say hello to Maggie – 6 months old, Daphne – 5 months old and Molly 2 years old. They are all sweet as can be!! 💕💕💕 … See MoreSee Less
Do you have this on your calendar yet?? We will be here with some of our adoptable dogs! … See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it’s usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it’s been deleted.PUPDATE: we are back home – everyone’s Is doing wellll! I will update more tomorrow but am exhausted!!
Today is surgery day – Rolf, Bugg, Hope, Ronnie and Milo are all at Pet Care of Newberry for a variety of surgeries. We could not do any of this without all of you! Today please pray for our babies!! … See MoreSee Less