She began working with animal organizations twenty years ago while living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Establishing Lots of Love for Animals was the fulfillment of her dream. Gerard managed industrial laundries for the city of New York until his retirement. A lifetime of building and fixing things prepared Gerard for planning and erecting the current sanctuary, where there is always something to rep
air or reso. Maureen and Gerard acquired a piece of property in Chloride, Arizona in 2005. In 2006 they visited Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, where they attended a week long workshop about constructing and operating an animal sanctuary. That same year Maureen and Gerard began construction on a building large enough to house 170 cats and dogs and with a living space for caretakers. Gerard did as much of the work himself as he could and being the general contractor for those jobs too big for a single person. Maureen and Gerard continued move toward their goal despite the terrible economy in 2008. From the beginning they have paid the bulk of the organization’s bills because relying on donations means moving very slowing toward a desired goal. LOLA received its 501(c)3 status in 2007, and Gerard declared the sanctuary livable in 2008, after receiving a large one-time donation that allowed him to finish stuccoing the main building. Despite losing her home in 2009, Maureen and Gerard kept the sanctuary open and even planned for an addition. Gerard, Maureen and several volunteers moved over 140 cats and dogs from all of their temporary housing in Las Vegas out to Chloride. It took months to get everyone transported, and once everyone had been settled in, the sanctuary was full to capacity. LOLA Today
As of 2011, there were about 175 cats and 8 dogs living at the sanctuary. Cats and (a few) dogs now share the various caretakers’ quarters as well as occupying their original living areas. The numbers constantly fluctuate. One month there will be four new kittens that someone dropped off, and once those kittens are adopted or fostered out, there are four fewer mouths to feed. The next day someone will bring in a homeless dog, and so the cycle continues. Maureen Gerard live at the sanctuary, but currently Gerard spends Monday through Friday in Las Vegas to earn extra money for the sanctuary. There are four staff members at the sanctuary who work for room, utilities, and cable. In addition to working and taking care of animals each day, both Gerard and Maureen work with trap/neuter/return and adoption programs in Las Vegas and Chloride. Maureen and Gerard devote most of their lives to LOLA. They have trouble turning away any animal in need. And because the shelters in Las Vegas and Kingman are always full, saying “no” usually means sending that stray cat or dog or litter of kittens to be euthanized. So far, Maureen and Gerard have managed to keep the sanctuary in good working order with help from the part-time staff, volunteers, and some very good friends. Finding staff and volunteers is never easy, and finding people on a permanent basis is nearly impossible. A small group of volunteers performs all sorts of jobs, including taking care of animals and doing adoptions, fostering cats, kittens and dogs, fundraising, plus creating and maintaining the LOLA website.
