A NEW CHAPTER IN HER LIFE BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER 2011
when she received an email about the need for a driver to transport dogs to Lucky
Dog Animal Rescue in Washington, D.C. This facility rescues homeless and abandoned
dogs and cats from facing euthanasia. “My friends didn’t understand why I wanted to
spend Labor Day doing this, but my sister Andrea and I jumped at the chance and took
our first group of dogs on their freedom ride.” She recalls what she witnessed that day.
“People were lining up, excited to pick up these dogs that our community had thrown
away, clapping as we pulled into the parking lot. I was hooked.”
Stephanie began to take on more tasks involved with transport. It wasn’t long
before it became a full-time endeavor. “For four years, I always drove and different
people would ride with me.” Due to her busy schedule, Stephanie now drives every
couple of months. Her largest transport was 55 dogs, but it’s more common for 25
to 35 to be in the van at one time. Most come from Florence County Environmental
Services and the Florence Area Humane Society. Stephanie also takes in strays. “Our
rule is: If you find it, you foster it.” While some dogs arrive in good conditions, others
have a variety of issues including fleas, heart worm disease, mange, emaciation and
embedded collars. Currently, we are treating two parvo puppies, and we have a puppy
who had part of her leg somehow cut off who is waiting for amputation surgery. We
s ee all kinds of things. But, nothing is ever turned away solely for a medical problem.”
Currently, Stephanie and her husband Brandon are fostering a lab-mix named
Reagan and a litter of five terrier puppies. “Six fosters are more than normal, but
She enjoys “Picture Day” at the shelters, because the dogs get to go out and play.
sometimes you just have to make the room when there is a need.” They also have
“But, there is nothing like Freedom Day, whether it’s taking them to a foster or straight
three dogs of their own. “Haley is a six-year-old Rottweiler who was surrendered to
to the transport van. They know they are being saved, and that’s what keeps me go-
the shelter by a breeder who was unable to sell her. A dresser had fallen on her leg
ing.” In the past five years, Stephanie and the team have transported 2,500 dogs to
which gave her a spiral fracture, but you’d never know it today. The puppy years were
Lucky Dog. “At the end of the day, I sleep well knowing that I’ve done my best to make
horrible with her, she’s really almost too smart, and we joke that no one else would
a difference. I think I’m one of the lucky ones, not everyone gets to pursue their pas-
have put up with her! She has been a great foster sister to hundreds of dogs. Prince
sion.” They’ve saved her as well. “My dogs have been there for me when it feels like
is a five-year-old Rottie who was surrendered to the shelter at age nine months. His
everything else in the world turns against me. As Anatole France once said, ‘Until one
sister went to Lucky Dog, but he’s a bit too vocal, and (if you don’t know him) he’s
has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.’” Her work is even
intimidating. So, he stayed with us. He’s quirky and stubborn but very entertaining,
more rewarding when she hears from adoptive families. “Lucky Dog’s Facebook page
and he loves his people. He’s not a fan of being a foster brother, but he tolerates it.
always has adoption updates. We get pictures of dogs on vacation from Key West to
Bodacious is a thirteen-year-old lab-mix Brandon had before we married. He’s a
Maine… and even some who now live in Europe!” It’s her dream for all dogs to have a
daddy’s boy.” This year, Stephanie unfortunately lost her ten-year-old Yorkie mix,
safe place to call home. In the meantime, Stephanie would love more time to become
Templeton, to pancreatic cancer. “He was the heart and soul of our home. It isn’t the
proactive in getting tougher laws, spay and neuter requirements and licensing. “We
same without him.”
really need to build a bigger foster base. It’s a short-term commitment, it saves that
While Brandon understands he married into this “pawsitively” passionate lifestyle,
animal and the animal that needs its spot at the shelter.”
things can get a bit crazy at times with all of the fosters. “He puts up with a lot from
For as long as she’s able, Stephanie will continue to devote her life to these sweet,
me, but he’s got my back and I couldn’t ask for more.” Of course, they’ve all captured
helpless animals. She couldn’t do it successfully, however, without those who share
Stephanie’s heart, especially Myah. “She was my standard poodle who we lost to
in her passion. “The horrific things you see dealing with animal rescue can really take
stomach cancer two years ago. She came from a puppy mill bust in Dillon. She was
a toll on you. However, my amazing team, both in D.C. and in SC, lifts me up every
emaciated and infested with every kind of worm you can imagine, and her toes on one
day. They are truly amazing and they are what keeps my faith in humanity alive. I am
foot had to be amputated from standing on wires that cut into her feet. That dog stole
forever grateful to all of them. We are the definition of a team and we are always there
my heart and never let it go.”
and bonded together through our love of dogs. I couldn’t live this life without them.”
Stephanie Moore resides in Florence, South Carolina, with her husband Brandon. She is a Patient Care Supervisor in the Emergency Department for McLeod Regional Medical Center.
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