Lucky Mutts Rescue in need of a fur-ever Milwaukee home as building damages could force closure
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee animal rescue nonprofit is hoping for some paws-itivity to start this new year, as building damage could force them to close after nearly a decade of service.
Lucky Mutts Rescue, a volunteer-run organization that saves dogs from high-kill shelters, currently sits at the intersection of 92nd and Beloit.
But months of unrepaired water damage, major leaks, and the growth of potential mold have shut the center's operations down for the time being.
“We keep our supplies here, we do our intakes here when we bring dogs in," said President Patrice Thorin. “It’s gotten to the point now where we can no longer live like this.”
Thorin told CBS 58 she and her team have tried repeatedly to contact their landlord for solutions but are not receiving answers.
"It's been getting progressively worse as we've gone on," Thorin said. "Pictures don't do it justice. The smell is horrific right now."
Lucky Mutts
While dogs themselves aren't housed at the facility, it is where meet-and-greets are held -- and with it closed due to safety issues, adoptions are also on pause.
"It's just gotten to a situation where we can't use our building we pay for," Thorin said. "A lot of dogs are going to die if we can't help."
On Thursday, Jan. 2, Lucky Mutts Rescue posted a plea for help on their social media page -- and within hours, got hundreds of shares and responses with the community.
"It was a lot," Thorin said tearfully. "It was a lot."
Current building requirements include being at least 3,000 sq. ft. with room for storage, a quiet room for vetting, an area with laundry hook-ups and bathing, and an area for adoptions.
Plus, the clock is ticking.
Almost 30 dogs facing euthanasia in Oklahoma are scheduled to arrive in Milwaukee for Lucky Mutts Rescue's care on Jan. 19.
“We’d like to continue but if we don’t have a place to go, we can’t, and obviously we can’t stay here in the condition it’s in," Thorin said. “If we can’t bring those dogs up, that means we can’t save 20 more that would take their place.”
Thorin added that their landlord was supposed to take a look at the building's conditions on Friday, Jan. 3 but she hadn't heard if that was confirmed.
The Department of Neighborhood Services is also investigating.