My name is Mary Lucas, and my greatest passions in life are caring for those at the end of their journey—both people and pets. For years, I’ve opened my home and my heart to foster and hospice dogs, many of whom have been discarded or overlooked because of age, illness, or special needs. These animals deserve dignity, comfort, and love in their final chapters, and giving them that has been one of the deepest honors of my life.

Through my professional work, I’ve also had the privilege of walking alongside older adults and their families as they navigate serious illness and end-of-life planning. One heartbreaking reality I’ve seen again and again is the uncertainty surrounding beloved pets when their owners are no longer able to care for them. Too often, animals end up in shelters, confused and grieving, just when they need stability most.

That’s why I am launching Longleaf Animal Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to providing a safe haven for all animals, including senior, hospice, and the medically fragile, while also supporting people in planning for their pets during times of transition. Our mission is twofold:

To give comfort and dignity to animals who might otherwise be forgotten.

To give peace of mind to humans who love them, knowing their companions will be cared for when they no longer can.

With your support, Longleaf Animal Rescue will become an official nonprofit, allowing us to expand our impact, save more lives, and build programs that bridge the gap between people and pets during some of life’s hardest moments.

Our paperwork is already submitted, and every dollar raised from here forward will go toward covering veterinary care, and building the resources needed to carry out this mission.

If you believe, like I do, that every soul deserves love and compassion until the very end—whether human or animal—I hope you’ll join me in making Longleaf Animal Rescue a reality.