Wellness Pet Company – Happy Healthy Cat Month
In recognition of Happy Healthy Cat Month this September, we spoke with Lori Dover, president and founder of St. Huckleberry Animal Fund. Based in Lake Charles, Louisiana, this organization centers on improving animal welfare through outreach, donations, and community support.
Q: You founded St. Huckleberry Animal Fund in honor of your kitten, Huckleberry. Could you tell us about his impact on you and your drive to make a difference?
A: St. Huckleberry Animal Fund carries the name of my beloved kitten, Huckleberry. From our base in Lake Charles, the fund’s mission is to promote humane treatment of animals and to build a movement that combats animal cruelty while inspiring positive action on behalf of pets everywhere. Huckleberry’s memory is the heart of the organization—motivating our focus on care, compassion, and practical support for animals and the people who love them.
Q: Can you tell us about your background before St. Huckleberry?
A: Before founding St. Huckleberry Animal Fund, my professional experience was in art acquisition and research and development for pet-category products. I worked on launching innovative pet solutions designed to make life safer and easier for pets and their owners. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I introduced an LED and fiber-optic illuminated dog safety leash on QVC. Shortly after, my hometown endured four historic disasters within nine months. Those events created severe economic hardship for many residents and deepened the challenges to animal welfare in our community, which helped shape my commitment to direct action and support.
Q: Since founding your organization in 2021, what moment has stood out to you as one of the most impactful things you have done?
A: Over the last three years, there have been many meaningful moments, from small, personal connections to broader efforts with lasting reach. It’s hard to single out one moment because they are all connected and have led to where we are today—participating in events during Happy Healthy Cat Month and meeting so many caring pet owners. One particularly meaningful development has been forming partnerships with pet brands—including Wellness Pet Company—and coordinating large donations of pet food and supplies. Distributing those donations at community events and meeting families in need has been powerful. Hearing firsthand about the financial strain caused by rising veterinary costs reinforced why we focus on accessible support for pet owners.
Q: How many animals do you think you have helped to date?
A: While it’s difficult to produce an exact tally, a reasonable estimate is that St. Huckleberry Animal Fund has helped well over 3,000 animals so far. Our organization operates differently from many nonprofits: we are self-funded, and we do not solicit monetary donations to run daily operations. Instead, we rely on partnerships, in-kind donations, volunteer labor, and direct distribution of supplies. I draw inspiration from charitable models like Danny Thomas’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Newman’s Own—organizations that demonstrate how mission-driven work can be sustained while keeping the needs of beneficiaries central.
Q: Now that St. Huckleberry Animal Fund is three years old, what are your goals for the coming years?
A: The fund’s charitable focus remains providing quality pet food and supplies at free events to support families struggling with the economic fallout that affects pet care. Looking ahead, one ambitious idea is the creation of St. Huckleberry Animal Fund Hospitals offering pet health insurance—an effort that could be among the first of its kind in the country. If realized, such a program could change how pet healthcare is accessed, help address systemic issues like animal overpopulation by supporting preventive care and affordable treatment, and ease financial burdens on pet owners. More broadly, our goal is to build a network of hope: a kinder, safer, and brighter world for animals through community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and continuing outreach. My motivation remains the same—an unwavering love for animals and a determination to fight for their welfare every day.
To learn more, visit: sthuckleberryanimalfund.org and look for Lori Dover’s feature in Oprah Winfrey’s series “Women Who Start Things.”
