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.
Winston saw our wonderful vet yesterday at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston. We are so thankful for the love and support of Dr D, Allison, and the whole team there! Everyone loved on Winston. He is blind, deaf, his whole lower jaw is basically eaten away by cancer, he has ear infections, testicular issues, skin issues and is definitely a hospice baby. We are making sure he is comfortable and treating what we can. He is eating and loving be cuddled and loved. For however long he is with us, he will be treasured 💕💕💕 … See MoreSee Less
Today was another one of those days – up before dawn, fed the dogs, everyone out and in, cleaned up and on the road at 7. Why? Because there was a dog – one of our partner shelters reached out – “we have a little boy in really bad shape, can you help? Extensive cancer along his lower jaw – the bone just feels like jelly, he’s completely matted but we are shaving him down, we can give him shots but he’s too sick to be neutered, if we can’t get him out we don’t think the outcome will be good.”
Yes. That’s all, yes – I’m getting in my jeep. I’ll be there. I’ve named him Winston. He sees our wonderful vet tomorrow. I’ll know more then. His little body is relaxing. He is precious. He’s a hot mess. My heart is breaking for him. Thank you Megan for reaching out. He is safe and already loved … See MoreSee Less
We want to say a big thanks toFriends of Berkeley County Animal Center for donating rescue suits and pee pads to our sanctuary! Tinka says they are outstanding!!! We always appreciate your support! 🐾💕 … See MoreSee Less
Have you marked your calendar yet for September 27th?????? This is our biggest event of the year! We need every volunteer we can have on hand to help! We need folks to man tables, help with dogs, sell 50/50 raffle tickets, whatever your skills are we can use them! Message me and sign up! … See MoreSee Less
Lowcountry Dog Magazine- August 2025
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It’s Time to Party! Winnie is our 2025 Model Contest Winner, and she celebrates in style! plus: – Dog walking etiquette – What’s in your pet’s food dish? – Stronger together- Two area shelters combiToday our sweet Petey Peanut crossed the Rainbow Bridge. I’m so very very thankful to his adopter Tyler Spruell for loving this sweet old boy and giving him the best life ever! Run free sweet Petey – we love you forever! ❤️💔🌈🐾 here are some pictures that Tyler shared and gave his permission for me to share with you. … See MoreSee Less
Meet Charlie everyone! He is a 6 year old red short hair dachshund and he is ready for fun! Charlie is a goofball – happy, loves people, ready to be your sidekick! He’s about 15 pounds of delicious dachshund ready for adoption Apply at CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
Sweet Maggie – she is the happiest, prettiest little girl – she is 1 year old, we believe she is a Terrier/chi mix, she’s about 9 pounds, walks great on a leash, is lovely with other dogs and just doesn’t understand why no one has come to be her person/family. Is she waiting for you?? She’s spayed, up to date on shots and ready to meet you! Apply at CindyLousSanctuary.org
(No fee or obligation to apply) … See MoreSee Less
How we are starting our Saturday – Taz got in the middle of a play session last night between Breanna and Poppy and it didn’t end well for him. He’s been up all night screaming – so we just saw the amazing Dr I at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston who helped with a shot of pain med, cleared for no obvious fractures, a bad scratch on his ear, and sore muscles We are on our way back to the sanctuary to get everyone some breakfast! … See MoreSee Less
(Read to the end for the big news) Yesterday, I took Butterscotch, Cinnamon, and Poppy to see our friends at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston. Dr D and Megan were on the case and checked out our new girls! I was afraid Butterscotch might have some demodex, but she does not! Both Butterscotch and Cinnamon got their ears cleaned and packed for infections and Poppy is having a pseudo pregnancy – she’s not pregnant but her little body thinks she is. This will pass in a little bit!
But our big news – Cinnamon is having babies! No we didn’t know, neither did the shelter when we pulled them. But it happens. She’s probably about a month – there’s no bones yet so we can’t see how many – stay tuned for updates!! We are thinking probably the third week of august?? … See MoreSee Less
Meet Cinnamon – a 1ish year old Dachshund (mix?) girl. She is sweet and a bit shy but really soft and lovely! She has had shots but needs her spay. … See MoreSee Less
Meet Butterscotch – a 1ish year old Dachshund (mix?) she is friendly and sweet about 15ish pounds. She has had shots but still needs her spay. … See MoreSee Less
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Yesterday something wonderful happened! We had a shed donated to help with our storage issue – Robin A Fox has been raising money to buy a shed and storage items for the sanctuary and it arrived this week! Well our team jumped into action and yesterday it happened! A huge thanks to Herb, Tonia, Angie, Patty (who also provided amazing snacks) and Tammy for hours of dedicated work constructing the shed! We still have to get the doors on but it is really going to help. A huge thank you to Robin and all her friends who donated to make this happen! … See MoreSee Less
Can you help??? We are looking for some volunteers this Saturday, July 19th to help build a base and assemble a brand new storage shed that has been donated to the sanctuary! We would love to have folks come by 9:30 – if you’re an early person and want to come earlier that’s great – Herb Watson will be there at 8:00 to start the work!
We are desperate for this extra space to help store dry goods. Please let us know – send a pm or text or reply in the comments if you can come! … See MoreSee Less
How’s this for an amazing before and after?! Please meet Gizmo! Pulled from a high kill shelter in Georgia on Sunday, he had an amazing shave down thanks to Tina at The Art of Dog Grooming by Tina and also Dr D and Heidi at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston
Turns out this boy is a young sweet schnauzer!!! So fun! … See MoreSee Less
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We will be at Pet Supplies Plus – Goose Creek, SC today from 9:30-1:00! Come on out and meet some of our sweet adoptables!! … See MoreSee Less
Our sweet Radar left us to run free across the Rainbow bridge today. He was lovely, a soft little boy who was adored while he was here. We snuggled him and told him how much he was loved. He spent time sleeping in the grass in the sun and cuddling in our laps. If love could have saved him, he would still be with us, but advanced kidney failure was too much for his tiny body to battle. Our thanks go to The Animal Hospital of North Charleston and Dr D and Dr T, Allison, Crystal, Jordon and the whole crew who take such kind care of us. Thank you also to Laura A Brogan and Jenny from M A D Rescue Transport for pulling Radar and getting him out of the shelter and bringing him to us Radar we love you and you will be missed 💔🌈🐾 … See MoreSee Less
Some folks have asked about prime day items we’d like – here’s a quick wishlist of deals that would be handy!! … See MoreSee Less
Prime day wish list | Amazon Gift List
www.amazon.com
Thanks to all who ordered a bed!
Hi everyone! This dog bed is on prime day special for $16! We would love to have e a couple for the babies! … See MoreSee Less
KSIIA Washable Dog Bed – Plush Comfort for Your Furry Friend
a.co
The KSIIA dog bed, adopting heavy-weight deluxe plush material, makes it incredibly soft, cozy, and difficult to shed. It is fully stuffed to ensure that your little furry friend is surrounded by warm…Big thanks to Dr D, Allison, Tracy, Mary and the crew at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston for all their help today! Clementine has a UTI and Radar has advanced kidney failure We are working on both of them to get them feeling better. Your prayers and support are so appreciated! … See MoreSee Less
On our way for our second trip to the vet today! Clementine is having some issues! Prayers please! … See MoreSee Less
Prayer warriors – We are at the vet with sweet Radar – 14 year old Chihuahua who has not been feeling well. He has just been diagnosed with advanced kidney disease. We are giving fluids, meds and special food and will see if we can manage it … See MoreSee Less
Hi everyone- I’ve updated our wishlist! If you’d like to be an ongoing sponsor – we’d love to have some folks subscribe to send our Hills Science small Bites on a monthly basis – we go through about 30 pounds of our dry food a week … See MoreSee Less
Cindy Lou’s Sanctuary Wishlist | Amazon Gift List
www.amazon.com
Hey Friends – add this to your calendars now! We will be here with so many of our adoptable dogs!!! This is our biggest event of the year! We need every volunteer we can have! … 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.Bogart was receiving the surgery he needed when his blood pressure crashed, the vet did cpr and revived him, was bringing him out of anesthesia and he crashed again and they worked for more than half an hour but could not revive him. He is gone, I cannot believe it. This sweetest boy, loving, handsome, deserving of so much. I’m so sorry we couldn’t save you. Thank you to all the amazing people at Friends of Berkeley County Animal Center and everyone who donated who made it possible to try. Run free sweet Bogart til we meet again at the rainbow bridge … See MoreSee Less
Thank you Friends of Berkeley Animal Shelter!!!!
We are blessed! Bogart saw the specialist this morning and needed to have a special surgery to repair his jaw and remove every tooth in his mouth, but oh so carefully as there is very little bone left and he could easily have his jaw break in multiple places – the estimate? $4,000. The answer? We were able to say YES! Because Friends of Berkeley County Animal Center said yes to our little sanctuary and covered the balance of the cost of the surgery. I’m overwhelmed and incredibly thankful and now just need to ask for prayers as our Bogart is undergoing surgery right now
Thank you for all your support!! … See MoreSee Less
AMAZING UPDATE!! WE HAVE A SPONSOR! WE HAVE AN AMAZING OFFER FROM FRIENDS OF BERKELY ANIMAL TO PAY THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR BOGARTS DIAGNOSTICS! Thank you to everyone who has donated!!!
HELP!!! Urgent help needed – this sweet boy Bogart has a fracture of his jaw and we need $1,200 for tomorrow mornings specialty diagnotics. He is in pain and needs help. It’s not cheap but we have one of the best anywhere who can help him. Can you help us get him there?
Venmo: @Janet-Chicka
PayPal: Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
Dee are in desperate need!AMAZING UPDATE!! WE HAVE A SPONSOR! WE HAVE AN AMAZING OFFER FROM FRIENDS OF BERKELY ANIMAL TO PAY THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR BOGARTS DIAGNOSTICS! Thank you to everyone who has donated!!!
HELP!!! Urgent help needed – this sweet boy Bogart has a fracture of his jaw and we need $1,200 for tomorrow mornings specialty diagnotics. He is in pain and needs help. It’s not cheap but we have one of the best anywhere who can help him. Can you help us get him there?
Venmo: @Janet-Chicka
PayPal: Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
AMAZING UPDATE!! WE HAVE A SPONSOR! WE HAVE AN AMAZING OFFER FROM FRIENDS OF BERKELY ANIMAL TO PAY THE REMAINDER OF THE FUNDS NEEDED FOR BOGARTS DIAGNOSTICS! Thank you to everyone who has donated!!!
HELP!!! Urgent help needed – this sweet boy Bogart has a fracture of his jaw and we need $1,200 for tomorrow mornings specialty diagnotics. He is in pain and needs help. It’s not cheap but we have one of the best anywhere who can help him. Can you help us get him there?
Venmo: @Janet-Chicka
PayPal: Donations@CindyLousSanctuary.org … See MoreSee Less
It was a busy day today! It started before dawn loading up 4 dogs to go to Newberry – two for spays, 2 for heartworm treatment.
Once they were safely delivered I met Anthony Ditro from Cam’s Rescue & Transport who had picked up these two fine gentleman at the Murray County, Georgia Animal Shelter first thing this morning.
These boys were out of time, and we just felt we had to step up and save them. They are both Heartworm positive, have horrible teeth and will need big dentals and will also need neuters. They have had shots. They are adult Standard dachshund mixes. We will start with vetting on Thursdayy at The Animal Hospital of North Charleston. If you would like to foster them through their treatment please reach out and let me know! They are sweet as they can be 💕💕🐾 … See MoreSee Less
Tomorrow is surgery/heartworm treatment day! We are still raising funds to get these sweet babies the care they need … See MoreSee Less
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
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.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
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