Lulu’s Locker rescues the most overlooked, highly euthanized companion animals - black cats & dogs, FIV cats, and senior/hospice animals - in Chicago.

Lulu’s Locker Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit companion animal rescue working to bring to light the plight of black cats and dogs and senior animals in shelters as well as the misconceptions surrounding FIV cats. We aim to lower the euthanasia rate of these animals by educating the public and providing foster care as we seek out permanent homes. We are committed to the protection of the misjudged and wrongly stereotyped through compassion and respect, which we believe both animals and human beings deserve.

Lulu’s Locker President, Dawn Isenhart-Copp, had a lovely idea to focus on helping those animals who are consistently the most overlooked and misunderstood: black cats & dogs, FIV cats, and senior/hospice animals. With a love for animals as well as rescue, foster, and TNR experience, she was ready to make it happen. In September 2011, she approached Erin Lamparter and Mike Copp to co-found this unique rescue. With Erin’s animal shelter and outreach experience, lifetime dedication to animal welfare, and deep appreciation of her black cat family members, she was thrilled to launch this unique initiative. Mike’s experience and involvement with rescuing and caring for shelter animals, as well as being extremely active with TNR, was an invaluable addition to the rescue’s mission. The efforts of Lulu’s Locker also wouldn’t be possible without our incredible and dedicated team of volunteers!

Andy Isenhart, Dawn’s son, shares his touching story of animal companionship from which the name and “underdog” concept of Lulu’s Locker Rescue was created:

“When I first met Lulu, I was at a very low point in my life. I was 13 and in 7th grade, and had many friend and bully problems. Plus, being an only child with a single parent, I had to spend a lot of time by myself. Since my mom and I had just moved into our house at the time, we felt we needed a pet and we decided on a cat. Within days of this decision, we went to our local cat and dog shelter to search for our new family addition.

Within literally one minute of being in the shelter, I saw her. She was in a small cage packed in with her brothers and sisters. All of the other kittens were on top of her and playing rough and all I could see was her face looking out. I don’t know how she caught my eye considering she was so hidden but she did. Her name was Thursday at the time and I asked if she could come out of the cage so I could play with her. She was so tiny with a little face and shiny brown and white fur. She rubbed up against me and I was immediately attached.

ou see, when I saw Lulu, I didn’t just see a cat. I saw myself. She was bullied by her peers, she felt that she didn’t fit in, she was the runt of the litter, and I could totally relate to that with what was going on in my life at the time. I wasn’t just saving a cat; I was saving myself. The one image I will never forget from that night was when we began the paperwork to adopt Lulu. My mom took care of filling it out as I stayed close to Lulu in her cage. When I looked back at her, it was HER that was on top of her brothers and sisters sitting up straight, as if she was showing pride and gloating that she got picked and they didn’t. That image just boosted me with so much confidence, and since that night of September 27th, 2004, Lulu has made my life better. She is there to lay with me when I am sick. She is there to listen when I need someone to talk to. She is there for me to kiss and hug when I need someone to love. She is a shoulder to cry on when I am sad. She is more than just a cat or a pet. She is a great friend and companion. I wish everyone could experience this love – Lulu has given so much happiness to me, and hopefully my story will inspire others to open up and not let a wonderful opportunity of making a great friend pass by.

Pet adoption is a cause dear to my heart – please help out in any way you can by fostering, adopting, volunteering, or donating. Your help can save so many lives!” ~ Andy Isenhart

~ ~ ~ We are deeply saddened to report that sweet Lulu passed away on September 1st, 2013. Her memory will forever live on and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to help countless homeless animals who are in need of a second chance at life. ~ ~ ~