Our team…

Melissa Blackmer, RVT, BS, Director

Vanessa Russell, Associate Director

Brandon Burns, Fundraising Director

Candace Boyd, Associate Fundraising Director

Stephanie Thomas, Adoption Coordinator

Serena Bennett, Animal Care Coordinator

Shannon Netherby, Rabbit and Poultry Care Manager

Our story…

The Lake Lowell Animal Rescue began with one person—Melissa Blackmer—simply trying to rescue a couple cats that had been dumped at the refuge area in Nampa, Idaho. The first cat rescued (and the one Melissa says will forever be her favorite) is a young male she named Fergus. Fergus had been hit by a car and suffered from a fractured pelvis and femur. By posting the story on Facebook, Melissa was able to raise enough money to pay for surgery and follow-up care for Fergus. Today he is living a very happy life with three golden retrievers and the best owners a cat could want! After watching his incredible recovery and seeing him go from the tragic condition he was in when she found him to, literally, the best outcome that could be hoped for, Melissa resolved to do what she could to help other cats abandoned in the Lake Lowell area. 

The scope of the problem quickly began to sink in, however, as Melissa came to realize that abandoning all kinds of animals in this region is a common occurrence—and the animals generally don’t fare well. Amid cars, predators, and life-threatening frigid temperatures in the winter, “people don’t realize what the outcome for the animals will be when they ‘set them free in the wild,’” she says. She adds that most of the cats and dogs she rescues are friendly, and therefore at one time were likely someone’s pet. 

Melissa then decided to set up a Facebook page with pictures of the few cats she was rescuing, hoping to find good homes for them, but the outcome far exceeded her expectations. “Two days later I was contacted by local news station KTVB,” Melissa says. “Very reluctantly I agreed to do a ‘small’ story on the animal-abandonment problem at Lake Lowell. KTVB, though, ran it as the lead story that night, which launched the rescue efforts into a much larger program than I ever intended.” Click here to view the KTVB news report. 

As a result of the news story, a local family contacted Melissa and offered to help. The family is connected to a charitable giving foundation, and, obviously, huge animal lovers.

“They helped move the rescue program into a facility that we can eventually expand and therefore rescue even more of these animals,” Melissa says. “Most of the animals we rescue are cats, so we’ve done some construction and now have three beautiful cat rescue rooms and the most amazing back porch that we screened in and turned into a catio. Walkways have also been built so the cats can move back and forth between the rooms and the outdoor patio.” 

Although a lot has been accomplished, Melissa says that much more needs to be done. “It’s a work in progress,” she says.

To describe this journey as a dream come true is an “understatement,” says Melissa. “And we’re working hard to develop the rescue into something even better.”

Melissa is not new to animal care. Her work for many years as a veterinary technician has helped prepare her for her additional role as an animal rescuer. Her network of other animal healthcare professionals and rescue workers has also proved to be an asset.

Now an established animal program run by a seven-member board comprising local community leaders and animal healthcare professionals, Lake Lowell Animal Rescue, Inc is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Plans are also in place to renovate a separate building on the property to provide more living space for rescued animals and limited, on-site healthcare.

“This has been an incredible blessing,” Melissa says. “It’s so rewarding to watch these guys come out of what are generally awful places and usually sick or injured from trying to fend for themselves, and then see them sleeping on fluffy cat beds, recovering at the rescue, and eventually getting adopted into wonderful forever homes. But I know all this wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of so many people—including the many vet clinics and other animal rescue organizations in the area that have provided healthcare and other assistance for no or very reduced cost. I’m very grateful to them!”

Lake Lowell Animal Rescue is actively looking for volunteers to help care for the animals and to become involved with various other aspects of running the program—such as transporting the animals to and from healthcare facilities, fostering the animals, maintaining online content, etc. If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please fill out our volunteer application.

As the number of abandoned animals increases, we are always in need of pet food and supplies. If you would like to help you can follow our Amazon Wishlist for a list of needed supplies.

We are always in need of supplies, such as:

Cats

• Diamond Maintenance Adult cat food (the current brand we are using but any cat food is greatly appreciated)

• Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal cat litter

• Fresh Step litter

• Toys

• Treats

• Blankets

Dogs

• Any brand dog food (brands we are currently using - Purina Pro Plan, Natural Balance, Rachael Ray Little Bites, Rachael Ray Premium)

• Toys

• Treats

• Blankets

• Collars, leashes, harnesses

• Feeding dishes

Rabbits

• Rabbit food

Chickens

• Chicken feed

If you are unable to donate supplies but would still like to help, we gratefully accept donations or any brand of food and litter. Your help is greatly appreciated!