Over the next 12 days, we’ll share stories of stray pets- those found outside fending for themselves, who have a second chance thanks to you. If you haven’t yet this holiday season, please consider donating to help all the strays of Christmas present and future.
For the the first stray of Christmas, the shelter doors swung wide—
A hopeful little pup with big eyes open wide.
Berries was found outside, fending for herself. She is terrified and struggles to receive treatment for her eye condition because she is so headshy of people touching around her face. Your support makes it possible for us to give her the slow and steady treatment needed to gain her trust and make her feel better.
For the second stray of Christmas, two whiskered faces peered,
Curled up close together, brave but slightly scared.
These two kittens are in a foster home receiving special TLC, socializing them to people so they will be ready to find a home.
For the third stray of Christmas, three tails softly thumped,
Dreaming of warm couches where their feet could jump.
Dogtor Booty came to us as a stray- nearly every day we receive pets off the streets, with no background or prior medical care. It’s thanks to YOU they can have a bright, promising future and find a forever family!
Four timid kittens,
Since the beginning of October, we have found homes for 82 stray cats – most of which were kittens. Every kitten deserves a chance to grow up healthy, safe, and loved – but for stray kittens, that chance often depends on us. Many need round-the-clock care, lifesaving medical treatment, socialization with people and other pets, and specialized supplies like Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) just to make it through their first weeks. These basics add up quickly, but they make all the difference between heartbreak and hope.
Five loooong hopeful stares,
When it comes to stray pets, they almost always are at our shelter longer than the typical surrender to adoption cycle that the other pets go through.
We have to start from square one – getting them up to date on their medical needs, figuring out their personalities and the type of home they are looking for, etc. This process takes a long time without a known history, so they wait and stare longer than most pets while trying to find their forever home.
Six dogs a-waiting, with a foster family that cares.
Marilyn Mon’Ruff came to us back in May – she was underweight, had a skin infection, and scared in the kennel. She went to a foster home and tried a couple of other homes…and now she’s finally found her forever home!
Seven seniors resting, graying muzzles, kind and wise,
Princess is a 12 year old dog that was found wandering in an apartment complex in Lowell. 2-3 different families took turns taking care of her for a few days, but ultimately called animal control to come get her when they realized she didn’t belong to anyone in the building.
Unfortunately, she has cataracts and is blind in both eyes. She also had some areas with thin fur, and overgrown nails when she came in. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Princess was able to receive the care she desperately needed. With her needs addressed and her comfort restored, Princess was finally ready for the next step. Because of you, Princess caught the eye, and the heart, of a loving family who saw past her age and vision loss and recognized her sweet soul.
Eight rabbits snacking, joy bright in their eyes
We have had 8 stray rabbits come through our doors in the last couple of months. Dumbo was found abandoned at a local veterinary office and brought to us in the fall. He is currently living in a foster home getting the love and attention he deserves. He’s safe and loved, and will soon find a forever home because of people like you.
Nine piggies wheeking, watching snowflakes fall…
Jagger and Jackson were found outside a local church in early December. Luckily they were brought in from the cold while still relatively healthy considering their situation. We cleaned them up and trimmed their overgrown nails, and now are looking for a home! If it wasn’t for our supportive and caring community, Jagger and Jackson would still be outside in the cold and dangerous weather.
Ten years old and lost, but cared for by all.
10 year old Tupac came through our doors on November 10th and we immediately put out a flyer on social media that he was with us. He was at the shelter for less than 24 hours before his owners came by to collect him! They were worried sick over him while he was gone, and were so happy to reunite with him so quickly. We do our best to give every stray a happy ending, whether that’s reuniting them with their owner or finding them a new loving home.
Eleven dogs a month and more…
Every month we average about 11 stray dogs, 34 stray cats. We also see more exotic stray pets from time to time, including bearded dragons and birds! There are many souls that hope to find a second lease on life at our shelter.
Twelve months of strays, brave and true…
Lowell Humane Society had an impact on 566 pets in 2025, including Dustin (pictured). That’s 566 pets that came to us scared, with no medical history or known behaviors. But you helped us be there for all of them this year, and like the last line of our poem says…
All strays are loved at Lowell Humane Society, and get a second chance because of you.
We are 75% to our year end goal of 50,000.
Please consider leaving a gift this holiday season.
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