Get ready, Stamford! The third annual Luckypawlooza is set to take over Mill River Park on October 19 and 20, bringing two days of fun, food, and furry friends to the community. Presented by Magna Construction, this year’s festival is expanding to accommodate even more activities, running from 12 PM to 5 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.
CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
The event aims to raise funds for Lucky Dog Refuge and improve the beloved dog park at Mill River Park. All proceeds will directly support dogs in need and enhance the park experience for its many four-legged visitors.

A Star-Studded Event
This year, the festival will be hosted by Sam Ramsdell, a Stamford resident and social media sensation known for her energetic personality and impressive comedic chops. Sam, who holds the Guinness World Record for the “World’s Largest Mouth,” will lead a live game of Lucky Dog Jeopardy, complete with exciting prizes and surprises. Festival-goers can also look forward to a meet-and-greet with her adorable rescue pups, Peach and Pru, along with her partner in fun, OHHH JAAAAMES!
Sam has taken the comedy world by storm, boasting over 3.5 million followers on TikTok and performing on platforms as renowned as The Ellen Show and Italy’s Got Talent. With training from prestigious comedy schools, she brings a unique blend of humor and heart to this year’s event.​

Music and More
The festival lineup also includes an array of live music, featuring Peter Benson kicking things off at noon on Saturday, followed by Mars Hendrick and his full band from 2 PM to 5 PM. On Sunday, the musical vibes continue with a solo set from Mars Hendrick at 12 PM, and the weekend wraps up with a performance by Tangled Vine from 2 PM to 5 PM.
And for all the dog lovers out there, don’t miss the crowd-favorite pup cups for your furry companions, along with a thrilling lure course where dogs can showcase their speed. Plus, the festival will feature a Blind Rhino beer garden, adoptable animals from local rescues, mouthwatering food trucks, friendly dog competitions, fun activities for kids, a silent auction, and handmade crafts from local artisans.

Community Spirit
Kirstin Mende, CEO and Co-Founder of Lucky Dog Refuge, expressed her excitement about the event: “We are thrilled to be hosting our third annual festival in the beauty of Mill River Park, surrounded by nature yet in the midst of Downtown Stamford. The proceeds from this event will go a long way towards helping our Lucky Dogs in need, as well as improving the existing dog park. One of our favorite parts of Luckypawlooza is seeing our adopted dogs all grown up with their loving families! This event is always such a fun reunion of our Lucky Dog family!”
Get Involved!
Tickets for Luckypawlooza are available here. If you’re looking to get involved, volunteers can sign up here.
So mark your calendars for this paws-itively delightful weekend! Join us in supporting our furry friends and enjoy the community spirit at Mill River Park. Let’s make this year’s Luckypawlooza the best one yet! 

Lucky Dog Refuge and Mill River Park will host the third annual "Luckypawlooza" fundraising festival for two days in October.
​RJ Scofield, Patch Staff

STAMFORD, CT — Lucky Dog Refuge will host their third annual "Luckypawlooza" event next month, offering two days of entertainment for visitors and their canine companions to enjoy.

Presented by Magna Construction, the festival will be held Oct. 19 and 20 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mill River Park, expanding the popular event from one day to two this year.

According to Marketing and Business Development Manager Samantha Rumore, the event's expansion came following feedback from adopters and friends who wanted to attend the event but ran into a conflict with one of the days.

"By expanding to two days we could cater to more people who would be available either Saturday or Sunday. We want everyone to have the chance to join us," Rumore said to Patch. "Also last year's event was very rainy on Saturday, but Sunday was beautiful and we wish we could do it all on that beautiful day. So this year we'll have fun for two days rain or shine."

Proceeds from the event are all for the dogs, benefiting both Lucky Dog Refuge and improvements to Mill River Park's dog park area, according to additional press materials.

Rumore said the Lucky Dog Refuge team was thrilled to host the festival each year in the beauty of Mill River Park, surrounded by nature but also in the midst of downtown Stamford.

"The proceeds from this event will go a long way towards helping our Lucky Dogs in need," Rumore said, "as well as improving the existing dog park at Mill River Park, which is frequented by so many of our adopters. We work closely with the team at Mill River Park Collaborative to not just use this space for the event but appreciate it as a piece of nature we enjoy as we walk our pets here."

Luckypawlooza 2024 will be hosted both days by Sam Ramsdell and OHHH JAAAMES!

A Stamford resident, social media creator and comedian, Ramsdell will host a live "Lucky Dog Jeopardy" game with prizes and surprises. A meet and greet with her rescue pups Peach and Pru, as well as James, will also be set up.

Also known as the woman with the "world's largest mouth," according to Guinness World Records, Ramsdell has over 3.5 million followers on TikTok and trained in improv and stand up comedy with Manhattan Comedy, Upright Citizens Brigade, Manhattan Comedy School and The Groundlings.

Guests can also enjoy an exciting lineup of live music, with Peter Benson kicking things off Saturday at noon and Mars Hendrick playing from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a full band.

On Sunday, guests can enjoy Mars Hendrick solo at noon, followed by Tangled Vine from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. to close out the event.

"We'll have our crowd-favorite pup cups for our four-legged friends, as well as a lure course to let your dog see how fast they can run," Rumore said. "Enjoy the Blind Rhino beer garden, adoptable animals from multiple local rescues, delicious food trucks, friendly dog competitions, kids activities, a silent auction and handmade crafts from local artisans."

The event comes after six months of planning, though Rumore noted Luckypawlooza "is always on our minds."

After two successful years, Rumore said she and the Lucky Dog Refuge team are proud the event has become an annual favorite for Stamford residents and visitors.

"We have such an amazing community of adopters, volunteers and supporters in the local area who love to get together to support a good cause," Rumore said. "We stay in touch as much as we can throughout the year, but one of our favorite parts of Luckypawlooza is seeing our adopted dogs all grown up with their loving families. This event is always such a fun reunion of our Lucky Dog family. All animal lovers in the community are welcome to bring their dogs, enjoy a pup cup, run in the lure course and celebrate both days with us."
​
Tickets for Luckypawlooza can be purchased here, and those who wish to volunteer can sign up here.
More information is also available at www.luckydogrefuge.com.

Meet a Kids In Crisis Volunteer Supporting Vulnerable Children
Kirstin Mende is the Co-Founder and CEO of Lucky Dog Refuge in Stamford. She is also part of the Kids In Crisis volunteer family. Here is her story.
Tell us about yourself.
I grew up in Darien, CT, with my parents and an older brother. Recently, I moved back during COVID-19 to help establish Lucky Dog Refuge, an animal rescue in Stamford, CT, with my family. Within our family, we have seven dogs, many of whom came from severe circumstances that inspired us to start our own charity. Since our launch in 2020, we’ve saved the lives of over 900 dogs, rehabilitating them and finding them loving homes.
I’m deeply committed to helping vulnerable populations, especially children, animals, and seniors, offering them the support and voice they need. In my free time, I love to read. My perfect day involves staying at home with my dogs, a cup of tea or coffee, and a great book.

What is Lucky-Paw-Palooza?
Lucky-Paw-Palooza is Lucky Dog Refuge’s annual fundraising festival,
held every October at Mill River Park. It’s a family- and pet-friendly event with adoptable animals, food trucks, live music, performances, local vendors, and activities for kids. This year, for the first time, we’re expanding it to two days to offer a full weekend of fun. Admission benefits both Lucky Dog Refuge and Mill River Park’s dog park improvements.
Join Kirstin’s 3rd annual fundraising festival for the dogs! Proceeds will benefit Lucky Dog Refuge and improvements to Stamford’s Mill River Park’s dog park. Click for more information.

NORWALK, Conn., Aug. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- If you enjoy the powerful social and emotional benefits of the human bond with animals, head to Stepping Stones Museum for Children for the BooZoo's Adoption Expo on Saturday, September 14 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Hosted by members of the museum's Youth Enrichment at Stepping Stones (YES2) volunteers, Norwalk PAWS animal shelter, North Shore Animal League and Stamford's Lucky Dog Refuge, families and children will learn about the many ways adoption benefits communities. The expo will feature meet and greets with museum mascot BooZoo™, who champions early childhood learning and literacy, plus a special Mutt-i-grees program, giveaways from local vendors, dog-themed activities and a special visit from SPCA Westchester's "Puppy Truck."
BooZoo's Adoption Expo brings to life the museum's work with the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum, which is a unique PreK – Grade 12 program that uses the natural affinity between children and animals to enhance their social and emotional skills while promoting respect and appreciation for shelter pets. Joining to support the cause this year are valuable partners Animal Wellness Veterinary Center, Bespoke Veterinary Services, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, plus table sponsors Pet Pantry Warehouse, Camp Bow Wow-Bridgeport/Stamford, Norwalk Animal Hospital, The Pawprint Market and VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center.
"Animals teach children important social and emotional skills such as effective communication, empathy and how to manage emotions. Boo Zoo's Adoption Expo is a fun-filled event that promotes emotional intelligence, pet-friendly play, early childhood development, reading literacy and intergenerational learning between children, parents and caregivers," said Rhonda Kiest, President and Chief Executive Officer.
An initiative of The Pet Savers Foundation™, Inc. (the program development arm of North Shore Animal League America), the Curriculum was developed by Yale University's School of the 21st Century. Stepping Stones is unique in that it has adapted the Curriculum to its museum setting and the daily variety of children that it serves. The museum is proud to have been designated a National Demonstration Site for Mutt-i-grees.
Stepping Stones partners with local animal shelters, including Norwalk PAWS, Lucky Dog Refuge and North Shore Animal League to provide twice weekly Mutt-i-grees programming at the museum on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 1:00 pm. During the program, children get to enjoy a book about dogs and learn how to safely meet a dog brought into the museum for these sessions.
About Stepping Stones Museum for Children
Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk, Conn., is an award-winning, private, non-profit 501(c)(3) children's museum committed to broadening and enriching the lives of children and families. Located on five acres in Mathews Park, the LEED Gold certified museum encompasses five hands-on galleries, state-of-the-art Multimedia Gallery, Healthyville cafe and The Shop retail store.
For more information about Stepping Stones, to book a field trip or schedule a class, workshop, facility rental or birthday party, call 203 899 8820 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org. Get social with Stepping Stones on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum
The Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum is a unique Pre-K – Grade 12 program that uses the natural affinity between children and animals to enhance their social and emotional skills while promoting respect and appreciation for shelter pets. An initiative of The Pet Savers Foundation™, Inc. (the program development arm of North Shore Animal League America), the Curriculum was developed by Yale University's School of the 21st Century. To learn more, visit www.education.muttigrees.org.
Media Contact:
Robert Townes
Director of External Affairs
203 899 0606, ext. 262
[email protected]
 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dogs-rule-at-stepping-stones-museum-for-children-with-boozoos-adoption-expo-302222658.html
SOURCE Stepping Stones Museum for Chilldren
NOTE: This content is not written by or endorsed by "KWKT/KYLE", its advertisers, or Nexstar Media Inc.

For inquiries or corrections to Press Releases, please reach out to Cision.

By Keren Aronoff Masser
Published on Aug 7, 2024 at 3:55 PM

This skinny senior pittie was found all alone in the woods — three years later, she bosses everyone around the house ❤️ We talked to her parents about her adorable breakfast routine, and how she convinced them to adopt her BFF!
Keep up with Tatiana on Instagram. And learn more about Lucky Dog Refuge on Instagram.

By  Fairfield County Mom  - August 1, 2024

Our pets are members of our family. They provide love, loyalty, and fun, and sometimes, they listen better than their human siblings. In return, we do everything possible to keep them happy and well. We’ve put together our fourth annual Guide to Pet Care in Fairfield County. Please support our sponsors!

by: Brittany Schaefer
Posted: Jun 8, 2024 / 11:34 PM EDT
Updated: Jun 8, 2024 / 11:34 PM EDT

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) – Thousands of people came out to a family fun, animal-filled festival in Newtown Saturday. It was a day to show love to all animals to celebrate the 18th birthday of a girl who is forever six.

“Catherine loved every single animal. She loved bugs and insects and creatures. She didn’t discriminate, she just wanted to make sure animals in her care knew that she was kind and that they’d be safe,” said Jenny Hubbard, the mother of Catherine Violet Hubbard. 

Hubbard was killed in 2012 at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, but her legacy lives on exemplifying the bond between humans and animals at her animal sanctuary. The festival there showcased puppies, parrots, possums, but the focal point, flying high, were Catherine Butterflies.

The North American Butterfly Association renamed the Monarch to the Catherine Butterfly for the day in her honor, something her mother said makes her heart flutter.

“I loved seeing her when she could gather a butterfly in her midst. Just the symbolic meaning behind the butterfly and transformation. Catherine now being a part of the creatures she loved so much, it really is humbling,” said Hubbard.

Among the thousands of people at the birthday party, were also 31 animal rescue groups with over 250 animals up for adoptions, conservation groups, animal educators, local artisans and vendors.

Lucky Dog Refuge out of Stamford had at least one adoption, a dog named Charlie Brown. 

“Some of these dogs have been through a lot in their short lives and to just have their home and bright futures ahead of them means the world to us,” said Lucky Dog Refuge’s Samantha Rumore. 

Animal rescue groups said living like Catherine, showing empathy for even the smallest of creatures, proved the six-year-old was kind well beyond her years.

“When it’s a child that has such love and care for animals, it catches your attention so much more and it makes it very meaningful and that’s why this event is so important,” said Nancy Abohatab of Connecticut Parrot Rescue.

“Bring these dogs a new life and new future, I think she would be so happy. We wish she was here,” Rumore said. 

WHO:
Subaru Stamford hosted a check presentation event with representatives, adoptable dogs, and children from Lucky Dog Refuge and the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford.
WHAT:
This was a big check presentation event to celebrate money raised by Subaru Stamford for both Lucky Dog Refuge ($36,513) and the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford ($38,661) as part of Subaru’s Share the Love Event®. There was a Kona Ice Truck for the children from the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford and several adoptable dogs from Lucky Dog Refuge.
Between the dates of November 17, 2023, through January 3, 2024, $250 from every Subaru leased or sold at the initiative was donated to Lucky Dog Refuge and the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, totaling a cumulative of $75,174 for our hometown charities.
This is Subaru Stamford’s 16th year participating in Subaru’s Share the Love Initiative. It’s the dealership’s fifth year supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford and its second year featuring Lucky Dog Refuge.
WHERE:
Boys and Girls Club of Stamford, 347 Stillwater Ave, Stamford, CT 06902 WHEN: Monday, May 13, 2024 at 4:00 pm
WHY:
Subaru Stamford is deeply committed to helping its hometown community by giving back to critical programs that support at-risk youth and animals in need of safe homes, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Stamford and Lucky Dog Refuge. Children and animals are among our most vulnerable populations and Subaru Stamford is passionate about helping these charities fulfill their mission through various initiatives, including Subaru’s Share the Love Event®.
Over the past years, Subaru Stamford has raised $763,377 funds as part of the Subaru Share the Love Event®. Subaru Stamford also collaborates with and supports Lucky Dog Refuge annually as part of Subaru’s Loves Pets® initiative.
In the last 15 years, through the Subaru Share the Love Event®, Subaru of America, Inc. and our participating retailers have donated more than $250 million to charity, with customers choosing between four national charities and over 1,700 hometown charities.
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MORE:
Find out more about the wonderful charities we are supporting.
Lucky Dog Refuge
We are not just a rescue. We are a refuge, a haven for dogs from dire backgrounds. We focus on the dogs most in need of saving - those abandoned by their families, the strays, the starving, the injured, the sick, and those in immediate need of help. We take them in, rehabilitate them, and provide housing, vetting, training, and extra doses of love. Whether at our physical site in Stamford, CT, or placed with one of our fosters, every dog we commit to is guaranteed love and a beautiful life with the forever family they so deserve.
Since opening its doors in June of 2020, Lucky Dog Refuge has placed over 850 dogs and cats in need in happy, forever homes.

Boys & Girls Club of Stamford
The Mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Stamford is to enable all youth to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. We serve 550+ at-risk K-12 youth daily. 95% come from diverse backgrounds, about half come from households earning less than $15,000 annually, and about half are single parent households. We strive to achieve our mission by offering facilities, programs, and support systems that assist young people in their academic, social, athletic, and cultural pursuits. Our formula for impact focuses on children's academic success, good character, citizenship, and healthy lifestyles.

ABOUT:
At our Subaru Stamford dealership, our goal is to provide our friends and neighbors from Southern Connecticut and beyond, with friendly and knowledgeable customer service. Our dedicated team of Subaru experts can walk buyers through the entire car buying process, from choosing the right new Subaru or used car for their Connecticut commute, to ensuring their monthly lease or loan payments are within their budget.

Relive the Puppy Bowl to see our featured pups - Betty, Inez, and Rebekah!