UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Q + A
Unconditional co-founders Amy and Julian Mack with their dogs ( from left ) Levi , Harper , StanLee and Oona
For the Love of Dogs
UNCONDITIONAL , A SENIOR AND SPECIAL NEEDS DOG RESCUE , IS BUILDING A LAGUNA CANYON ADOPTION CENTER AND HAS OPENED A VETERINARY CENTER TO REDUCE THE ORGANIZATION ’ S MEDICAL CARE COSTS .
By SHARON STELLO
Rise Pet Health offers a calm environment for emergency and specialty veterinary care .
A decade ago , when Amy and Julian Mack adopted Carlo , a stray pug with a missing hind leg , it spurred them to do more to help older and disabled dogs , who are often left behind at shelters or euthanized . Now , the Laguna Beach couple ’ s vision is beginning to come to fruition .
Grading has started on a site next to the city animal shelter in Laguna Canyon to build a homelike adoption center , which is expected to open in late 2024 , for their nonprofit , Unconditional . The 8,000-square-foot structure will be able to accommodate up to 40 dogs at a time while the organization works to find forever homes for these furry friends .
The husband-wife team also opened Rise Pet Health , a 24 / 7 veterinary center for specialty and emergency care in Laguna Hills in late August . Available to the public , Rise will also treat Unconditional ’ s dogs for free , helping to defray the high cost of medical care for senior and special needs animals that are blind , deaf or have mobility impairments or neurological disorders .
While the adoption center is under construction , Unconditional is turning to foster families affiliated with the nonprofit and partnering with other local rescue groups to help find people to adopt these dogs , who make wonderful companions despite needing some extra TLC .
“ These are dogs that have given their hearts to a family and literally been tossed out like trash — been abandoned in their time of need . I think we can show our power as a group by banding together and helping them ,” Amy says . “… Anyone with a bit of a soul will be compelled into action after allowing a special dog into their lives .”
In addition to their animal welfare work , Amy has been an early stage investor and Julian is CEO of the JustFoodForDogs company . The couple was previously involved with Pets Are Worth Saving ( PAWS ) Chicago while living there . The PAWS spay and neuter program , which helped to significantly reduce the kill rate in city shelters , showed them how even a little effort can make a big difference in dogs ’ lives .
Looking at the euthanasia numbers for senior and special needs dogs , Amy says , “ I can ’ t just sit back and not do anything about this .”
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What made you decide to start Unconditional ? AMY MACK : When we moved out to Laguna , we were like , “ What can we do here to help dogs ?” … We had adopted a three-legged dog through PAWS called Carlo and , at the time , I thought , … “ He ’ s going to be this depressing little guy , but we ’ ll just help him out .” And he turned out to … [ have ] this larger-than-life
TOP : MATT BILBAULT
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