Lucilles Voice Animal Education and Emergency Rescue Center

Lucille'sVoice is a therapeutic/rehabilitative rescue that has been caring for animals over 40 years. Our start was small, in 1984 with word of mouth and helping strays. To eventually opening the first no kill cats only shelter in Pueblo, Co. Known as Fur Purries, we also created the first and only on site low cost spay/neuter/vaccination clinic with services being offered at the time by Dr. Jeff Young. As the face of rescue changed, and more alliances were being formed with shelters, we joined other rescues, sold our high cost brick and mortar building, and created a program to train foster homes for our animals.

Being foster based has not been without its challenges, but it has been a learning and rewarding experience for all involved. By becoming a  foster based rescue,  we have been able to develope a medical critical program for animals that are in need of serious medical care. By setting realistic limitations and goals, we are able to provide care and a chance for a full recovery that leads to permanent placement. 

In addition, by adding members with a wide variety of experience and skills, we have been able to open our rescue to exotics, reptiles, small farm animals and horses.

We have enlisted the services of an animal nutritionist, Reikki provider, Chiropractic care, Accupressure, and Accupuncture to add to the most talented veterinary care that we currently use. We also have established a working relationship with one of the largest veterinary hospitals in Oklahoma, as well as in Texas. This adds to services we have used with CSU, and our local veterinarians. 

Our biggest mission however has been to remain humble and more of a small rescue than large. Although we have placed hundreds of animals in homes over the years, we feel by remaining smaller we can focus more intently on what we currently care for and the programs we offer.  Our programs benefiting animal or human are life changing, and with many of the animals in the rescue also participating in these programs, it is necessary for their care to be a primary focus.

Our biggest program impacting many many lives was established by our founders daughter. The "Starr's Wish" program is horse therapy provided to children with cancer and their care givers. Care givers can be, parents, siblings, teachers, clergy, friends, extended family etc. These are all people that cancer affects and there are more. Starr created this program while she herself was in treatment with a rare form of cancer. Her after chemo visits with her horse released endorphins that she felt helped her. She wanted to share that feeling. Although Starr did not live to see her program take off, we have continued to watch it grow every year, and conduct an annual horse benefit ride through Penrose every year to bring awareness to Appendicial cancer and our program.

Our second therapy program is for veterans needing to "be away" we've had many vets say that traditional therapy, pills, doctors, and stress was making ptsd unbearable. (We have never had a veteran quit taking their meds, or refuse their traditional therapy, as it is a requirement to stay in our program) Although we have no licensed therapists, we do have "lets chat" groups that allow soldiers AND their family members to talk amongst each other while spending quality time with the horses.  When vets feel they are at a comfortable level, we put them in a program working with an animal of their choosing.  This allows them to possibly become a foster home, work with animals at a foster home, assist with the training and adoption of an animal, or assisting with events.

Our senior program provides senior citizens with assistance for their pets medical care, medications, trip to the veterinarian, food and supplies as well as some minor home improvements or fencing to help keep a pet in its home. Seniors are pets are a vital part of each other's lives and it is important to us to maintain that.

The term "broken animals" was given to a dog we rescued from a euthanasia list by the attending veterinarian. It kind of struck a chord with a board member, and we looked at our rescues differently from then on. Our philosophy was...still is, if something you care about is broken, you should try to fix it if you can If not, you should provide it with enough dignity to say goodbye peacefully and with love. At that time the only thing that may be broken is your heart. 

Spay/Neuter

When he's not teaching, or taping his show for animal planet, Dr. Jeff likes to return to his roots. Providing care for pet owners at a reasonable price. And making stays and neuter possible in as many rural areas as he can across the US.

Dr. Young started a good portion of his early veterinary career as our on site veterinarian at the cat shelter. His philosophy of "you can't adopt your way out of thehomeless pet crisis" and our philosophy of "you can't preach responsible pet care, and then price people out of it" has once again brought us together.