Lucky Dog Animal Rescue
Non-profit organization · Yorktown ·

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Non-profit organization · Yorktown ·

Thorough adoption process, dedicated volunteers, and post-adoption support

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue by null

Information

5159 Langston Blvd., Arlington, VA 22207 Get directions

Information

Static Map

5159 Langston Blvd., Arlington, VA 22207 Get directions

+1 703 237 5327
luckydoganimalrescue.org
LuckyDogAnimalRescue
𝕏
@DCLuckyDog

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot

Last updated

Dec 14, 2025

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Lucky Dog Animal Rescue

Hannah W.

Google
We've adopted 2 dogs from Lucky Dog over the course of the last 7 years and it's been an amazing experience each time. They care so much about all the dogs they rescue, have excellent fosters, and are dedicated to making sure each family goes to the right home. Our first Lucky Dog, Quinn, was a red bandana (problem child), and it took years of work but now 9 years old, she's thriving and has worked past her dog reactivity, you would never have guessed she was once a "bad dog". But that's why Lucky Dog is so great, they give these dogs that have had a rough go at life so far another chance, and I'm so grateful Quinn and Roux have gotten a second chance with us. Adopt don't shop at Lucky Dog, there are amazing dogs out there all looking for a loving home!

Emily B.

Google
Working with Lost Dog Animal Rescue to adopt our kitten was a great experience. I appreciate the thoroughness of the adoption process, making sure that both the cat/dog and the human caring for them are set up for success. We adopted from a PetSmart event after submitting an application and speaking with an adoption coordinator. Being pre-approved to adopt made the process very smooth. Lost Dog also follows up to see how things are going. We haven’t had any problems with our kitten, but I’m confident Lost Dog would be a great resource after adoption, too. Highly recommend!

Karen G.

Google
This organization is the best! From the depth of our first interview to their process itself and communication about it, the supportive and details information about the vetting of my new pup, training suggestions and adjustment information, leads and coupons for dog care of all sorts, and contacts which continue well after adoption. This is not a walk away and you're on your own type rescue group; they followup with you, offer any assistance you may be looking for or need, not knowing you even needed it! I cannot say enough good about Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Also, the number of canine and feline lives they save is astounding. I was given the opportunity to adopt Fern ('previously known as' Linette on the adoption site) a month ago and knew little to nothing about her when I met the van @ Dogma Bakery in Arlington on a crisp Autumn Friday evening, supported by Lucky Dog staff, many of their volunteers and all the other new adopters and fosters there; everyone cheering for each other. The experience with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue continues to impress me, even a month later as they check in from time to time. I am the director of a doggy daycare and boarding facility in nearby Bethesda and we have a lot of Lucky Dog rescues frequent our place. There is something about Lucky Dogs....we know from the first day these pups will be ready to integrate with the others and thrive. They are lucky dogs, we are lucky to have them in our lives.

Jonathan B

Google
Lucky Dog helped bring our new dog home with professionalism and care. Emma and the team at Lucky Dog were very responsive to our inquiries. They followed up on our application in great time, and were very patient explaining the adoption process and requirements. Our gal Dixie came from one of their sister shelters in South Carolina and we completed an "off transport" adoption. We met the transport van at Dogma in Arlington. At pick up the Lucky Dog team ensured the procedures were clear and as organized as possible. Team members were available to check collar fits and answer any additional questions we had. Following adoption, Emma reached out to us to make sure Dixie was adjusting well and offer tips and recommendations. All in all, working with Lucky Dog has been a great experience. The work they do to connect needy pets with welcoming homes is admirable. Truly, Lucky Dog is one of the best, and most thorough, rescues operating in the DMV. They care first and foremost for the wellbeing of the animals, and it shows.

Sarah H.

Google
We used Lucky Dog Rescue to find our sweet pup Bessie. The process was made as seamless as possible. Their website makes it easy to search for potential pets and filter according to your/your family’s needs. Kady was super helpful in guiding us through the process, making sure we understood their expectations, and helping us prepare as best we could for our new pet. They also were helpful in keeping the pressure low so that we could be sure that Bessie was the correct fit for us. We are so happy to have Bessie in our lives and thankful for Lucky Dog Rescue for helping us connect with her.

Frank H.

Google
What a wonderful adoption experience. We spent a long time looking for the right family dog and were thrilled to find her at a Lucky Dog adoption event in Falls Church. The process was efficient, professional and friendly. Everyone involved knew exactly what they were doing and it was clear that they had the best interests of the pets and the adopting families in mind at every turn. I was really impressed by the digital interface they use for all of the paperwork. Upon completion, I had all of our adoption documents, the pet's medical history, vaccination records, etc. all in one place. It was great. On top of that, they have an amazing selection of adoptable animals!

michael G.

Google
Went to a Petco where Lucky Dog had an adoption day 6 weeks ago and adopted a puppy (Sato) from Puerto Rico. The process of adoption at Petco was terrific. They had over 100 dogs including many litters of puppies. Many of theyounger dogs were in pens but quite a few were being walked or carried by their handlers who would spend time describing what they knew about the pet. Our 14 pound dog turned out to be part Pit bull, part chihuahua, yorkie, and boxer (we did the genetic testing). Dog easily went thru basic training and loves running like crazy at dog park.She was already very friendly and appeared to have some basic training including using a puppy pad. Lucky dog followed up with frequent emails and is constantly offering advice. We have 2 other friends that got bigger mixes thru Lucky Dog and could not compliment Lucky Dog enough . Don't hestitate to attend their adoption days or look at the dogs on the website. Our pup already had complete physical, basic meds, and neutering when we took her home which made the adoptin very affordable.

Chrissy G.

Google
Highly recommend Lucky Dog! The volunteers are very dedicated to ensuring these pups find a good home. They’ve also been consistent with checking in on the dog after adoption to see how the transition is going. Overall, great experience and I am happy I decided to adopt from them. Pics of my little 15lb Chiweenie below!

Emilia T.

Yelp
I adopted my little kitten from them this past summer 2025. I wanted a little one who would get my older cat playing, and they matched me with Seth. As promised, he makes my older cat play all the time! he is so active and such a cuddle bud. The process was pretty quick, and although there were come challenges, the volunteer who helped me was always responsive and helpful.
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Kwame S.

Yelp
Before I get into the TLDR part, I'd like to share a couple of tips. Note this review is stricktly about dog adoption. 1. Even if you are just looking, definitely complete the application and screening interview before attending an adoption event. If you complete these two items, the adoption process will go a bit smoother when/if you decide to adopt a pet during one of the adoption events. If you find an animal that you like but haven't completed the prescreening step, the pet might be adopted by the time you complete this step. 2. LDAR has both small (~12 dogs) and large (40+ dogs) adoption events. If you want more 1:1 with the dogs and their handlers, I highly recommend the smaller events. We attended two events - one large and one small. I think we had a better experience with the smaller event. In the larger event, I found it a bit difficult to gather information about the dogs. Also, I think many of the dogs (and human handlers) were simply over it because it was quite warm out; and they probably were a bit tired from interacting with a lot of folks. On the other hand, the smaller event we attended was pretty nice. I could actually spend a decent amount of time with the dogs. I could extensively speak to the folks fostering or handling the dogs. Also, I could get a better sense of how the dogs interact with other dogs and their general temperament. 3. If you adopt a dog, definately read through the adoption PDF that LDAR provides. Not only will you find information about acclimating your dog to its new environment, the PDF has a bunch of coupons and deals for pet services. For instance, we took advantage of Great Falls Animal Hospital's free vet examination. Our adoption experience: Overall, we thought the adoption process was fairly straightforward. While some might think it's a bit detailed, I think it's necessary to ensure that a pet is placed in a good and loving home. The first step of the adoption process is completing an adoption application. Eventually (within a week), you will have a 30-45 minute conversation with an adoption coordination. Our coordinator, Emma, was very friendly, patient and full of information. As a means to save time, if you adopt a pet with another person, it's probably best to find a time when both of you can attend the phone meeting. A few days following the conversation, an adoption matchmaker will reach out (if you are interested). Wait, I forgot a step. If you are interested in the matchmaking service, you will have to fill out a brief questionnaire, then a matchmaker will reach out. The questionnaire, is somewhat similar to the adoption application, so save your answers from the initial adoption application for the matchmaking one. You will pretty much complete questions regarding things/characteristics that you would like in your new pet (e.g., age, temperament, sex, etc.) and any concerns you might have regarding the pet. The matchmaking service will send a weekly list of potential pets that you might be interested in adopting. The organization holds several adoption events of various sizes during the weekend. If you join the matchmaking service, you'll receive a list of adoptable dogs that might fit your preferences. Fortunately, for us, we found our dog (or he found us) at our second event. After we selected our pup, we had two additional on-site conversations mainly to provide more information about our living situation, plans to socialize and exercise the dog. Also, we were provided information about the rules and stipulations of adopting a dog e.g., vet visits, what could happen if you do not follow the contract, check up calls, etc. While the process is detailed, I thought all aspects of the adoption process was fair and the employees/volunteers were pretty professional throughout the process. Some might think the adoption fees ($400+) are a little pricey, but you have to realize that it costs quite a bit of money to house/board, provide vet services for, transport, the animals.
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Xia M.

Yelp
Given that Lucky Dog is a volunteer-based rescue, I think they're doing an amazing job. Several friends recommended them to me. While walking my new pup who loves saying hi to everyone I actually met a neighbor who had adopted her dog from Lucky Dog 13 years ago and spoke highly of them. I had also been working with three other rescues, and Lucky Dog was by far the most organized and friendly. The pre-approval makes its super easy to adopt and they give you a really great adoption packet. I'm happy I chose them. I adopted my sweet Maisie Mae, and I absolutely adore her. She's so smart, loving and the best little adventurer!

Jennifer S.

Yelp
We had a wonderful experience adopting our amazing kitten from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. The adoption procedures are clear and sensible, the process provides great information, the volunteers are so kind and amazingly prompt (especially given they are doing this as volunteers), and the organization has such a cheerful and helpful approach. We love our kitten and love that LDAR rescued her. We highly recommend LDAR.
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Lauren C.

Yelp
I'm all for the mission but they really need to train their adoption volunteers better. Weird, backwards and completely unpleasant experience with adoption application -- they called my vet, explicitly asked for introductions to my family and to tour my home all without bothering to ever inform me if the pets I applied for were even available in first place. I had to follow up, ask about and confirm they weren't (even though one had been taken off website in between my application and the organization reaching out and the adoption volunteer was listed as assigned to that specific pet so would've known). Feels like volunteers on checklist power trips versus any consideration for those navigating pet adoption or building relationships in the broader rescue community. I've worked with other local rescues I'd recommend in heartbeat and will continue to support those with my advocacy, donations and recommendations to friends and neighbors instead. Really disappointed with Lucky Dog.
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Marty H.

Yelp
Easy process. Great communications. Hayley did an amazing job coordinating with us. All parties involved really were professional
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Frank H.

Yelp
What a wonderful adoption experience. We spent a long time looking for the right family dog and were thrilled to find her at a Lucky Dog adoption event in Falls Church. The process was efficient, professional and friendly. Everyone involved knew exactly what they were doing and it was clear that they had the best interests of the pets and the adopting families in mind at every turn. I was really impressed by the digital interface they use for all of the paperwork. Upon completion, I had all of our adoption documents, the pet's medical history, vaccination records, etc. all in one place. It was great. On top of that, they have an amazing selection of adoptable animals!
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Nancy T.

Yelp
We went to an adoption event hosted at a PetSmart. Lucky Dog was showing 70 dogs that day, all brought up from South Carolina. Our dog was only ten weeks old; she was in a small pen with her sister. Her foster mom was attending the puppies, and she had lots of information about her, which was very helpful. We found Lucky Dog very easy to work with; the volunteers asked only three questions: would we be home most of the day to care for the dog, did we have a fenced yard and did we agree to have her spayed at the age of 6 months. Also they asked to see veterinary records for our two cats. We paid a fee and took our dog home that day. I highly recommend adopting from Lucky Dog!

Vanessa F.

Yelp
I understand you care about the dogs but that was just so unfortunate. I heard some of your fosters keep the dogs on crates the whole day. My son still remembers the Thankfully your decision directed us to use OPH, which I strongly recommend. It was a wonderful experience and gave us a wonderful completion to our family

Joseph K.

Yelp
A wonderful organization to work with! We had reached out to adopt a dog from their website and were quickly matched with Kady, a volunteer who helped us through the process and provided ample resources. Within a few days they were able to arrange transport from the shelter that Frost was in and we were able to adopt him.
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Jeff S.

Yelp
Since adopting our dog Lexi in 2016, we have fostered over 2 dozen dogs through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Bringing in rescued animals to our household of between 2-5 4-legged creatures has been a wonderful experience. It's amazing how little problem we have had with foster dogs getting along with our cats. After our "original" Lucky Dog passed away last spring, it took us 6 fosters until we finally "failed"! While any of them could have been permanent additions, when we got Frankie (nka Nigel), we knew we could not let this sweet boy get away. Lucky Dog is a very busy organization, sometimes things fall through the cracks, the adoption events are large and can seem overwhelming ... but we have always been struck by the dedication and compassion of the ever growing staff and the many many volunteers, especially the volunteer adoption coordinators, who make it all happen. Over the years we have gotten to know and appreciate so many of them, and hesitate to call out any individual, but we are especially grateful for Sophie, who suggested at the end of an adoption event where our foster was adopted, that we consider taking Frankie home with us - what a gift he has been. No organization is perfect, but through their tireless work have saved so many animals, including at least 4 on our block based on our recommendation, and we are so grateful to be a part of the Lucky Dog Animal Rescue family.

Natalie K.

Yelp
I can't recommend Lucky Dog Animal Rescue enough! I adopted my pup from them in August 2025 and had such a positive experience from start to finish. Adoption Process: I was able to fill out an application in advance and then meet my pup at one of their adoption events at PetSmart. The staff and volunteers were friendly, professional, and incredibly helpful. I also loved that I could pick up supplies right there before bringing her home. Transparency & Care: Lucky Dog was very honest about her health history and any behavior challenges. They made sure I was the right fit before finalizing the adoption, which gave me a lot of confidence. I also appreciate that they require adopters to return dogs to them if things don't work out--showing how much they prioritize the animals' wellbeing. Support & Resources: They provided detailed documentation and shared great recommendations for vets, training, and boarding. I ended up at Shirlington Animal Hospital (excellent!) and then worked with Janet from Best Behaved Dogs (also wonderful). Lucky Dog even followed up with me after the first few days and again after the first month to check in. Community: At my local dog park, I've met so many other Lucky Dog adopters--everyone has the same positive experience and only good things to say. As a first-time dog owner, I was nervous, but Lucky Dog made me feel supported every step of the way. I'm so grateful to them and thrilled with my new pup!
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Valerie M.

Yelp
Lucky Dog was fast to respond to our inquiry and quick to meet with us for a meet up. The foster mom was wonderful and did a great job! Our dog was super duper nervous and scared and took a while to get adjusted. She also had giardia, a skin rash, and was underweight when we got her. We were forewarned about the rash. I don't know much about the behind the scenes. The few points that gave me pause are below. 1) they work with petco/petsmart for their adoption events and I'm not a fan of the ethics of that company. But I understand to have a big impact having a major sponsor would help. 2) they estimated 2 years, she was clearly a puppy was closer to 1 year (a vet should be able to tell that) 3) after meeting our dog we wanted to discuss it as a family to decide. We got a lot of pressure to make a decision immediately even being told a few hours and we might not get her. It was apparently not their normal protocol. Given the commitment of the decision, I thought that was odd. But we are so grateful to have our dog Shiki in our lives now.
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Brian B.

Yelp
2 adoptions in 2 1/2 years, and I could not be happier. I always recommend LDAR to anyone interested in adopting and feel that they do tremendous work taking care of the dogs that they do on such a large scale to support the DC area. If you haven't adopted before, I strongly suggest you apply for adoption 1-2 weeks before you want to go to an adoption event so you don't have to wait for the screening process to take place at the event. Because of this, we were able to adopt as soon as we found the puppy that was right for our home.

Anne M.

Yelp
I am a foster with this organization and recently adopted a dog from them. The adoption counselor (Paul) we worked with asked questions about us and our lifestyle to make sure this dog was the one for us. They really want to make sure the match is a great one. Any dog who finds themselves in the hands of Lucky Dog is indeed LUCKY! ; )

Melanie K.

Yelp
We adopted our perfect puppy (Arlo Winfield) from an event Lucky Dog was doing at PetSmart. Everything went so smoothly, everyone from Lucky Dog was so helpful & genuinely wanted him to have a great home while making sure we were the right home for him (which I truly appreciate). We absolutely love him & know if we ever have questions we can easily call anyone from Lucky Dog for help.
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Whitney L.

Yelp
I have mixed feelings with Lucky dog animal rescue. I generally help volunteer transport dogs to and from adoption events and recently started to help with data entry projects. I previously was interested in foster screening however it seemed to not work with my schedule and I was experiencing delayed email responses from their organization for tuning into a foster screening call. I love their concept of truly rescuing both cats and dogs, but during the volunteer events, it's incredibly disorganized. People looking to adopt are going to the volunteer tables and some dogs with green bandanas (indicating their ability to socialize/friendliness) should actually be red colored bandanas. I've also unfortunately have driven to volunteer events and because they run out of dogs to handle, the organization essentially just asks people to stand by in case a volunteer needs to step out or away temporarily (to grab a drink or use the restroom). I feel that they should essentially coordinate an animal with a volunteer as to prevent turning away volunteers in the future. Otherwise, I support their message and the concept behind their organization.

Marissa S.

Yelp
What an amazing organization! We had such a positive experience visiting their adoption events and working with them to adopt our dog. They host nice Petsmart weekend events and pair animals with wonderful foster families as they look for their forever homes. We loved meeting so many friendly volunteers, dogs and cats, and foster families. Once we met our dog (love at first sight!), we really appreciated how thorough they were talking through the adoption process and owner responsibilities- they really want to make sure animals go to supportive, loving homes. A huge thank you to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue for all the work you do and for helping us grow our family! :)

Jana B.

Yelp
We have rescued 3 dogs from different groups and love Lucky Dog the most; We can not be happier with the experience and all the people involved in our adoption of Baxter -- from Kendall, the adoption coordinator, to the people that volunteer to accompany the dogs at adoption events. Seeing videos of Baxter playing with other rescues in a spacious enclosure at the South Carolina shelter augmented our view that they care for the dogs wonderfully, The adoption coordinator was a very warm person, understanding of the grief we felt over losing our previous dog. She responded very quickly whenever we contacted her and checked in on us and him a couple of times after the adoption to be sure all was well and, if needed, to give advice. When we adopted Baxter at the event, the adoption process was very efficient and smooth. And, we really appreciated the long list of recommended trainers and documents giving all sorts of information about helping our guy adjust.

Ashley B.

Yelp
I recently adopted a puppy from Lucky Dog and I cannot speak highly enough of their organization, volunteers, and process. We were working with a couple rescue organizations in the area, and none of them were as organized, informative, and passionate as lucky dog. Heading into the adoption event, we felt beyond prepared from our counseling call and very excited to meet the dog we chose priority approval for. After confirming we wanted to move forward with the adoption, the process was seamless and we got all the details and medical records we wanted. Our adoption counselor has continued to stay in touch and help us navigate any questions in the first days home with our pup. I definitely recommend turning to lucky dog if you're looking to adopt

Ian H.

Yelp
We just adopted a dog from Lucky Dog yesterday and the experience could not have been better. We went to an adoption event last weekend hoping to adopt a particular dog, but another adopter beat us to her. The next day we saw on the website that another dog we had been interested in but who was in the SC shelter was now in a DC foster home. Hoping to avoid a repeat of last weekend's experience, we reached out to the adoption coordinator who arranged a one-on-one meet-and-greet for us with the dog and his foster mother. We fell in love and were able to bring our new dog home yesterday - two days before the next adoption event. The process could not have gone any more smoothly. The adoption coordinator (Kady) was extraordinarily helpful - responsive, engaged and knowledgeable. This morning she followed up with an email to see how our dog's first day and night had gone. We have been involved with other animal rescue organizations and Lucky Dog was BY FAR the most organized, responsive, thorough and responsible. If we ever want to adopt another dog, we will go straight to Lucky Dog!

Rachel P.

Yelp
We just adopted a dog from Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and had a great experience. We were able to work with the team ahead of time to be screened beforehand to have "priority" for the puppy we wanted. This relieved a lot of stressed the day of about whether we would be taking a dog home with us that day or not and didn't have to get there early to wait around for "first dibs". We were able to have time with the pup the day of to decide if he was a good fit for our family before paying or committing. Everyone at Lucky Dog was kind, helpful, professional, and easy to work with.

Brian M.

Yelp
Had a great experience adopting two wonderful kittens - Mollie was super helpful throughout the process, and even though it was storming badly on adoption night, all of the staff worked hard so everyone could meet their new pets and take them home as quickly as possible. Definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new cat or dog! -Brian M.

Alex G.

Yelp
This is my second adoption, but first through Lucky Dog! I love my new little kitty and definitely recommend Lucky Dog! They have been great throughout the entire process!
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Elizabeth S.

Yelp
We found a dog we were interested in on petfinder and submitted an application. The site said to email the coordinator but it's best to just apply on the website first. Then Destiny got back to me about my app, had an interview discussion and was able to ask questions. I happen to adopt a dog that was coming from their SC shelter. So we had our application approved, had a secondary interview to go over the contract and then paid online. Then we showed up at dogma in Arlington on a Saturday and took him home. Simple process and Destiny was amazing! Dogma will give you 15% off if you purchase from them for an adopted dog that day. They had volunteers and unloaded the animals. All seamless process!

Adelle G.

Yelp
They really carr about placing pets with good homes. The interview process was informative and thorough and we got our wonderful new dog. They followed up to check in and see how she was settling in. Highly recommend using this shelter if you want to adopt a pet!

Mary W.

Yelp
The absolute best rescue. They truly care about their animals. I adopted a wonderful dog from Lucky Dog and so did my sister. I highly recommend Lucky Dog.

Annie H.

Yelp
Wide selection of pets but runs more like a business than a caring animal rescue. Adoption coordinators act like they're doing you a favor by even responding. Had much better experiences with other local rescues and shelters.

Gordon W.

Yelp
A well-oiled machine in terms of process, compassionate crew, streamlined preparation and follow-up. I couldn't have asked for a better experience in adopting my sweet girl. They even helped guide us through some health issues after adoption. Highly recommend.
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Justin S.

Yelp
I adopted a cat from Meow Maison cat cafe in Georgetown through LDAR. Process was very easy. The team was responsive and helpful. They didn't require a ton of hoops to jump through like a home inspection or references. Overall it was a great experience.
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Danielle A.

Yelp
Such an amazing rescue, the communication and care the volunteers provide is wonderful. We are so happy to have adopted another shelter dog in need of a good home.
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Lucy L.

Yelp
We foster cats and dogs for this local rescue organization and volunteer at adoption fairs. They are a great organization, finding homes for a large amount of pets. All animals are either housed with fosters or a few a boarding facilites, so it's a huge operation to get them all a to and from events and the adoptions completed. They really care about each animal but have a process down to be able to manage the adoption process. There are paid staff to coordinate all this, but a huge network of volunteers makes the events and unseen work happen. Highly recommended for adopting an animal or for being a good use of one's volunteer time.

Chris H.

Yelp
We've adopted both of our dogs from Lucky Dog and they are great to work with. They're very helpful through the adoption process and provide useful information on the background of the dog and what to expect based on what they know of them. They also provide information on how to proceed with training, socializing, and settling your dog into their new environment to make sure your new friend settles in their new home as easily as possible. I highly recommend Lucky Dog for adopting your next dog, or getting involved in a volunteer capacity as a foster parent.

Sabine R.

Yelp
We adopted a puppy (8 weeks old). Lucky Dog is an amazing organization - very professional and caring. Our puppy is a wonderful addition to our family. This our second experience with Lucky Dog. We can only recommend them.

Emily B.

Yelp
I am an adopter, volunteer, and foster with Lucky Dog and am consistently amazed by their commitment to the wellbeing of their animals. They also provide so many ways to volunteer--from fundraising events to adoption events to temporary and full time fostering--and organize fun opportunities for volunteers to travel in order to support shelters in South Carolina, Texas, and Puerto Rico. I have volunteered at dozens of adoption events, where I have been truly impressed with how well-behaved the 60+ dogs are, which I think is a testament to Lucky Dogs' investment in their socialization, health, and training even before they get to the DMV, in addition to Lucky Dogs' amazing fosters. I first met my own dog, Atticus, at an event a year ago, and I adopted him the same day in just a couple hours. Lucky dog checked in with me to make sure everything was going well after the first week, month, six months, and year. It showed me that they continued to care about his wellbeing long after they saved him from the high kill shelter. I highly recommend checking Lucky Dog out to adopt or volunteer! They will set you and your dog or cat up for success
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Arlene G.

Yelp
Surprised by all the negative reviews especially about the "neuter/spay by 6 months". They do specifically state that it needs to be done if you adopt a puppy, they mention it multiple times regardless of vet recommendations. If you don't approve, then I would suggest finding another adoption group. The reason we gave 4 stars is because the first adoption event we went to, we were ready to adopt a sweet pup and the volunteer was rude when speaking with us. Maybe she had a bad day? Maybe she was ready to go home? "We literally end in 5 mins" she said. End of conversation. Otherwise everything went smoothly. Filled out all the paperwork. Had everything they were asking for ready to go. It is a loooong but quick process. We adopted our sweet ozzy (fka Nelson) at a different adoption event. It was an organized chaos but there sooo many people adopting it was pretty exciting. I thought $500 was pretty steep but it makes sense with the vaccinations and transportations and having events for people to meet the cute pups. And kittens. I recommend! Also - you need a martingale collar to take them home. Whether you purchase theirs or bring your own.

Vicki S.

Yelp
We just adopted our dog Faith and we're thrilled. She is so sweet and loving. Lucky Dog did a great job in finding us a dog that fit our needs and letting us know about other dogs that could be rescued from Southern shelters. The Adoption event we attended at Petsmart was a great way to meet the dogs that we had read about and seen online and we knew we'd found a good fit. The volunteers at Lucky Dog do an amazing job at coordinating all of these rescues and adoptions, supporting the whole DC area. They handle a lot of different animals and follow up to make sure that each adoption is working out and trying to resolve any issues that the adoptive parents and their pets may be having.

Whitney V.

Yelp
This is an amazing organization. They are professional, dedicated, supremely humane and working very hard to save not just local lives, but lives all across the country. It's a Herculean task, and I'm so grateful for their heavy lifting. Every cat is healthy and come with their own online profiles so that potential adopters can read more about their personalities. The organization wants to be sure and match people with their perfect companion! What's more, they are supremely humane. Adopters go through a thorough vetting process, and are instructed never to declaw, and to make yearly vet appointments. All of this requires extra work, and they do it because the volunteers want to know for certain that the animals they adopt out will be taken care of. They care, and it shows.

Kindness M.

Yelp
One of the best animal rescue organizations in the region and the only team my family and friends trust not only for our furry adoptions but to believe we are truly supporting a great organization when we volunteer and donate. The many dedicated staff and volunteers work hard every day with heart and soul to represent what rescue, care and accountability mean. They understand that other live beings have feelings and personalities and need the ongoing help of humans to be compassionately rescued and protected not just to survive but to thrive. It is also good to know LDAR does not compromise on a thorough screening and follow-up process to ensure animal fosters and adoptions are matched properly and not placed in unsafe or abusive situations. PLEASE donate and/or volunteer with LDAR in any way that you can great or small. You will truly make a difference. Thank from LuLu's new family!

Karolina W.

Yelp
We adopted 13 month old puppy from Lucky Dog. Lucky Dog made the process very easy and seamless. They made sure we are informed and the follow up was amazing. They really care about their pups and finding the right fit. We are very grateful to Lucky Dog for our newest family member.

Gem M.

Yelp
The adoption volunteer seems to be on a power trip. I have adopted a dog before and have been through the usual process of having to provide vet records, go through a home check and interview so I am not new to this. But the man I dealt with seemed to be rude and short with me in every interaction we had. I understand you are volunteering your time but that is a decision you made, there is no need to take that out on me. Now you are scaring people off with your bad attitude.

Michele G.

Yelp
DO NOT USE THIS "RESCUE". This rescue is a scam at best that does not care for animals. We found a dog online who was described as 5 years old, good with kids, good with cats, good with submissive dogs. We picked her up from the kennel and were handed two medications (for a UTI) that she'd already started, food, and a bath solution. Based on the profile , we decided to adopt the dog. Before Lucky Dog would allow us to take her, they required us to hand over the medicine that she'd been on because "It wasn't prescribed by a vet. Sometimes we give medicine because we think she has a UTI." Ok. Shady- and red flag one. Did they not want to get caught doing this? We handed over the medicine, though we did question why the dog would start and not finish medicine. Was this to cover themselves for giving medicine to a dog without a vet prescribing it? Certainly seemed that way. We took the dog home, knowing we'd have a vet appointment soon anyway. In her paperwork from a previous shelter, The dog was listed as 8 years old numerous times, yet Lucky Dog had her listed as 5 years everywhere, and the age changed on paperwork from 8 years to 5 years when Lucky Dog obtained the dog. The dog immediately showed signs of aggression toward anything outside (other dogs, squirrels, cats). She then was calmly and quietly and on a leash introduced to our kids. She immediately growled, lunged, and barked aggressively (the same way she did at animals outside of the house). My husband and I feel strongly had she not been on a leash, this would've been an attack on the kids. We pulled her back and tried to reset. We took her outside and brought her back in, where we noticed her attempting to go after my son, who was not even in the same room. The aggressive behavior continued toward our kids. When we contacted Lucky Dog, they offered training. This was beyond training. Finally, I reached out about taking the dog back because the aggression was just too much of a risk. It continued each time we took her out of the crate to go outside. I was told by a volunteer the dog was a "liability" at this point. Lucky Dog allowed us to bring her back, but unless you sign the relinquish form stating you won't get a refund, they won't take the dog back. On the day we returned her, they magically changed the dog's profile to reflect everything we said: not good with dogs, cats, or kids. Yet, they will not refund our money. They operate as a scam and you really need to know what you're getting into before you adopt because if there are issues with the animal (read the reviews- there are LOTS of these kind of issues with this rescue) you will have to jump through hoops to rectify the situation, and without seeing any of your adoption fee back. They prescribe medication to dogs on a hunch and are dishonest about the traits of animals. I was told after the fact that the way our dog was known to be good with children was because she attended adoption events and sometimes kids were there. That is not testing a dog with children. Overall, zero stars and please avoid this "rescue" at all costs. There are so many good ones out there who really care about dogs and not about pumping 50 plus adoptions every weekend regardless of what's best for the animal or the owner. The experience is a nightmare that I really would not wish on anyone. There are so many rescues who stand behind their adoptions and are supportive- this is not one. Do yourself a favor and skip over this "rescue". She was not doing well in the kennel she was in. Her teeth were a mess. You lied about very basic things from the get go and we aren't the first people to point it out. What happened in this house? We loved her. We took care of her. That's what. Please don't use this sham of a rescue. It's all about money.
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Renata P.

Yelp
This review is about my experience volunteering with them. I cannot speak to the adoption experience. I've volunteered for a lot of animal rescue groups, everything from a wildlife center to an SPCA to smaller dog rescue organizations. I have extensive experience with dogs and cats, even the "challenging" ones. I cannot say good things about my experience as a volunteer with this group. The check in process was confusing and not clearly labeled. You were supposed to check in and then go to another table to be assigned a dog to wrangle. There was such a lack of leadership and direction that even though I was asked numerous questions from several people visiting the event I couldn't even answer questions or point to people in charge. (Guys, SIGNS! Get them. Use them. Show people where to go. Why do you have NOONE at a large event directing traffic!?) At one point I was told I could hold a puppy and then I was told off when I was holding her and forced to put her down. This felt like a complete waste of time for me and I'll never volunteer for them again.

Stephanie M.

Yelp
The process was interactive, informative and smooth. I could tell that the puppies best interest was considered at all steps. I felt the easiest way for me to adopt with my work schedule was an off transport adoption and I am so happy with my puppy and the support and follow up lucky dog has given so far
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Steph P.

Yelp
Can't say enough great things about this rescue. We adopted Pumpkin (photo attached) at 1.5 years old. When we went to adopt her, our apartment complex made us jump through hoops and were looking for reasons to say "no". Lucky Dog patiently worked with them until we got a "yes". Pumpkin came with full medical records and we were more than confident with the medical attention and care she received prior to joining us. Pumpkin is the most loved member of our family!

Terry Y.

Yelp
we adopted Blanche last month. as soon as I saw her she was mine. lucky Dog was very helpful and the adoption process was very smooth.

Jhonna S.

Yelp
We had an amazing adoption process with Lucky Dog Rescue. From the very beginning, the team was friendly and prompt in communicating with us, open and clear about expectations, and helpful in answering all our questions to make sure we were paired with the right dog and ready for the next steps. We couldn't be happier with LDAR and our sweet 10 week old puppy! The detailed medical records and follow up check-in was appreciated as well. It is abundantly clear how the entire team at LDAR care for the dogs and cats, and ensuring they find a happy, healthy forever home!

Leslye P.

Yelp
I love the work they do!! I love dogs!!! And 99% of the volunteers are fantastic!! But I had a bad conversation today. I got very upset and the lady on the phone told her bosses (ironically the main reason I was upset is bc she refused to help me contact the right person) and totally exaggerated (aka lied ) about the call. Did the boss contact me to hear my side? No. They just emailed that lucky dog refuses to talk to me. A bit extreme for being upset that she wouldn't put me in touch with the correct person. (The one star is just for this employee/volunteer and the 'boss' Mirah. All else are 5 stars!)

Sarah M.

Yelp
I adopted my sweet 10 month old puppy from Lucky Dog about one month ago and I have been nothing but impressed! Not only do I have the sweetest pup in my life now, Lucky Dog made the process seamless. They were so helpful during the whole process and really make sure to give you all the information they have about their dogs. So impressed and highly highly recommend. Adopt don't shop!!!!!