Kentucky Animal Relief Fund (KARF)

07/22/2026

KARF welcomes Princess.
She is 15 years old, weighs 6 pounds, and appears to be blind. She was surrendered to Louisville Metro Animal Services. She required an enucleation of her left eye, which was done yesterday. We sincerely thank the veterinary staff for saving us the expense of having this done. She will see our vet tomorrow for an exam. She is anemic, dehydrated and has skin issues, so we hope to address these issues. For now, she seems comfortable and is resting.
I must also share this very sweet ‘prescription’ from Dr Kim: “Extra hugs and kisses every day. She is literal perfection.” ❤️
If you would like to help us with her continued care, you can donate with the button below, through our PayPal link:PayPal.Me/KYAnimalReliefFund or send checks to PO Box 58502 Lou, Ky 40268.
Love and thanks 🐾

07/05/2026

Jefferson County, KY ~ 1,139!!

We currently have 1,139 pets in our care, 491 of those are thankfully in foster homes, but our facility is stretched to the limit (shout out ).

The next two weeks are historically our busiest of the year.
Combined with dangerous summer temperatures, pets face deadly conditions.

Double (triple) check your yard security and keep pets indoors.
Sign up to foster and clear a kennel: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/foster-care

Thank you for keeping our community's animals safe.

07/02/2026

Please bring your animals inside and make sure farm animals have shade and water! These temperates are no joke!

Given the extreme danger posed by this heat wave, it is crucial to be aware of specific risk factors that render certain dogs more susceptible to heat-related illnesses than others, although all pets are at risk in this weather. Most Vulnerable Dogs Flat-Faced (Brachycephalic) Breeds: Pugs, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, and Boxers have shortened airways that make panting highly inefficient. Large & High-Energy Breeds: Dogs weighing over 50 kg or active working dogs (like Golden Retrievers or Labradors) generate extra muscle heat. Overweight Pets: Excess fat acts as an insulator, trapping heat and straining the respiratory system. Puppies & Seniors: Young dogs have underdeveloped temperature regulation, while seniors may suffer from underlying heart or lung diseases.

05/15/2026

Please hang with me for this wild and convoluted tale of animal cruelty, domestic violence, repeated incarceration, death of a dog and a human.
Having only had hours to grieve the death of my Rex, I received an extremely wild request around midnight last night. I will summarize the best I can, as she did the same. She needed help for a 14 year old pitbull who belonged to her estranged father. The dog’s name was Leroy. The owner was repeatedly incarcerated for domestic violence of his wife over many years. During his most recent incarceration, at some point over the past week, Leroy was let out of the house and struggled to hobble down the street in the middle of the night. I’m still unsure how he made it back to the house. At some point, a neighbor stopped by the house, only to find the wife dead and Leroy there alone, no food, water or medication for his reported congestive heart failure. The police came and got her body but left Leroy there alone. I believe he was there for a week. This still blows my mind. The daughter was finally made aware of this situation and that is when she reached out to me. I met her there this morning. Leroy was a complete mess. Barely able to stand, his abdomen full of fluid, covered in fleas, ear infections, and blood leaking from his a**s. It was maximum cruelty in every sense of the word; not to mention the death of his wife; cause unknown. After the daughter and I saw the horrid condition he was in, it was decided the only humane decision was euthanasia. He and I left that house of horrors and stopped to get him 2 hamburgers and a can of Vienna sausages on the way to my vet, who most kindly agreed to help. I stayed with him as his suffering came to an end. Goodbye, Leroy. I’m sorry for the life all of you endured. I hope you and your mom now find peace. 💔 My sincere thanks to Ashley for stepping in to help. ❤️

05/15/2026

Today I said goodbye to my sweet boy Rex. He came to us from a small shelter in Eastern Kentucky. He suddenly became sick and spent 10 days in the hospital. After various tests and treatments, we were unable to make any progress, despite our best effort. I was unable to put him through any more. Today, I fed him two chickens before saying goodbye. I knew it was time. Good bye my dear friend. I love you and will always miss you. 💔

05/10/2026

For Mother’s Day, I celebrate Jane. She entered my life rather through happenstance. Some history on her; she lost 3 babies due to cystic fibrosis, her husband due to renal failure, a son due to cancer, as well as her last beloved dog. Finding herself alone at the age of 80, she reached out to several rescues hoping to adopt a new friend. They all turned her down due to her age. They recommended she contact KARF. We spoke at length and she was as sharp as a tack. I told her I would find her the perfect friend, who turned out to be Jake. A senior who came from Louisville Metro Animal Services. She was instantly in love with him. When his time came, she said she thought she was too old to have another. That was until Millie came along. Millie came from STOP The Trixie Foundation aka The Gulag. I knew they would be a perfect fit. She was instantly in love with her. She let me know when she had to let her go. Jane died early this year. We had lost touch after Millie died. How I regret this. She was my friend. Please don’t discount the elderly, humans or animals. You miss so much. Happy Mother’s Day to you Jane. ❤️

04/22/2026

December 2024, Karla Haas and I drove to Leitchfield Animal Shelter to help a senior dog. As it turned out, the dog was already gone when we arrived. By happenstance, there was an old, beautiful dog in a crate, positioned in the front room on full display. Once I was certain the dog we originally went to get was gone, Hazel was to become a member of KARF. She blessed my life for more than a year. Most would not see her beauty but I loved her instantly. Goodbye, my uniquely, beautiful angel. I will miss you forever. 💔

04/18/2026

When it rains it pours. My sweetest Hazelnut with a face like no other, has had chronic renal disease for some time but I have kept it well managed. Last week her liver values suddenly became elevated, though they have always been normal. My vet changed some medications and I had her bloodwork rechecked yesterday, as I’ve struggled to get her to eat this week. I was devastated to see her kidney, liver and gallbladder values have become insanely elevated in one week! I have no idea what has happened to her (or Toby)! She was hospitalized yesterday. Now all I can do is wait. My heart is hurting so much. My sweetheart is so very sick. 🥺
If you would like to help Hazel we really need it. We are $5000 in the hole for Toby’s care. You can donate with the button below, through our PayPal link:PayPal.Me/KYAnimalReliefFund or send checks to PO Box 58502 Lou, Ky 40268.
Love and thanks. ❤️🐾

04/18/2026

Toby had his recheck with the surgeon yesterday and I finally received his liver biopsy result. The most significant findings were no cancer, no infection and no excessive copper. The remainder of the report lacked any real specificity. There are basically areas of chronic scarring that may or may not lead to cirrhosis. His liver and gallbladder values have improved significantly! He has returned to his old self; happy with much to talk about. It is wonderful to have my silly boy back. I will speak with the internal medicine vet next week to see if there is anything additional she wants to do at this time. I’m just thrilled he’s doing so well and hope it continues. 🤞🏻 Thank you all for your donations and well wishes. ❤️🐾