We are a 501c3 non-profit rescue organization (EIN # 82–1295650) specializing in dachshund and dachshund mixes. We don’t house them in a shelter, but instead provide qualified foster homes and adopt them out to their furever homes, all over the State of Florida. We have no paid employees, only volunteers so our overhead expenses remain low, allowing us to rescue and provide medical help to more dogs in need. You can be sure your donations are truly making a difference!
We have obtained gold status on GuideStar from Candid for our transparency in financial matters several years running. When you donate to Low Rider, we do our very best to make every dollar count. In 2022, we rescued a total of 136 dogs and in 2023, 236! Because of people, like you, we have been able to provide needed medical care, emergency care, provide foster homes, adoptive homes, and shelter to those dogs who cannot be adopted, for over 6 years now. Thank you!
Important Information
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions Page in order to understand and navigate our process:
About Us – Mission Statement
Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of Florida, Inc. is an all volunteer group with an unyielding drive to save and improve the lives of dachshunds and dachshund mixes that cross our path. With a network of foster homes and a dedicated team of volunteers, we rescue, provide medical care, and deliver dogs to forever homes all across the state. It is our goal to never turn away a dog that is within our capacity to help. A mutual respect for each other and a passion for saving little dogs with loving hearts and big attitudes motivates us each and every day.
About Us – Meet the Team
Low Rider is a group of folks who care deeply about these little dogs and work hard to provide as many dachshunds and “wanna-be dachshunds” as possible, with good homes! Low Rider is made up entirely of volunteers, each who dedicate their time to the cause. The vision of what rescue should be was originally conceived by founder and President, Melissa Kilmer, and has continued to inspire a following of like-minded, caring people who have come together to Save More Dogs!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Melissa Kilmer
Kelli Becton
John Fredricks
President & Founder, Director of Intake, Transportation, and CoDirector of Adoption, Volunteer, and Fundraising & Events, Melissa Kilmer, has been involved in rescue since she adopted her first dachshund in 2000. To date she has adopted 7 dachshunds and in most recent years has developed a passion for fostering. Working together with fellow passionate rescuers, she is proud to be a part of spearheading this new lifeline for her favorite breed, Low Rider Dachshund Rescue of FL, Inc. She believes in teamwork with a spirit of support for one another. She is quoted as saying, “”There is nothing more rewarding than having a hand in the journey homeless dogs take from being discarded, to a wonderful new life…..FOSTERING SAVES LIVES”
Melissa can be reached by email at: president@lowriderrescue.org
Vice President and Director of Marketing & Media, Administration & Onboarding, and CoDirector of Adoption, Volunteer, and Fundraising & Events, Kelli Becton, has been involved with Low Rider since 2019. She got involved with her family to earn volunteer credits for their college kids & because of their love of dogs. Initially, they had two adorable and fun loving doxies in the family, Jackson and Sissy. They adopted Bones, a Low Rider senior and after Bones passed, they adopted Ollie. Like others of our canine alumni, he’s now living the good life. Kelli wears many hats for Low Rider and is passionate about marketing and development, as well as using her talents working with fosters & volunteers to further the mission of Low Rider. She can be reached by email at: VicePresident@lowriderrescue.org
Director and Treasurer, Grant Coordinator, & Business Sponsorships, John Fredricks is a well known member of the community in Englewood, FL. He participates in a variety of organizations to better the world around him. As owner of “Max the Dogg” online pet store, John loves dogs and dachshunds hold a special place in his heart. He became a sponsor to support Low Rider and the more he discovered, the more he liked about the rescue. His duties as treasurer have given him a unique insight to the inner workings of LRDRFL. He organizes and pays vet bills on a day to day basis as we all work together to save and improve the lives of the dogs in our care. John is working hard to make a difference! He can be reached by email at: Treasurer@lowriderrescue.org
Katrina Marino
Dr. Ashley Kelley
Director of Fostering & Mentoring, and Mentor Coordinator, Katrina Marino is a busy attorney who splits her time between work and volunteering! She began as a foster parent for Low Rider several years ago. Since that time and as she learned more about the organization, Katrina helped up kick-off the Foster Mentor program. Every dog who comes to the rescue is assigned a Mentor to monitor their process and goes to a foster parent for nurturing and TLC. Katrina has been instrumental in the development and management of the foster and mentor program and is now Director of that crucial program for the rescue.
Director of Vetting & Medical, Dr Ashley Kelley is a Veterinarian Neurosurgeon who has performed numerous life changing surgeries for Low Rider. A few years ago, Dr Kelley shared her cell phone number with us, and we’ve been consulting her for advice ever since! While we do work with Vets and Surgeons all over the state of Florida (depending on where the dog is being fostered) Dr Kelley has been there to guide us during many important decisions. We are thrilled to have our own Major Medical Advisor as part of the Board of Directors!
Coordinators and Team Leaders
Megan Johnson
Intake Coordinator
Katrina Marino
Mentor Coordinator
Zulie Mederos Onboarding/Admin Coordinator
Becky Ambron
Volunteer Apps Coordinator
Maria Lampton
Foster Apps Coordinator
Luanne Sutton
Foster Mentor
Nichole Reyes
Foster Mentor
Penny Bessette
Foster Mentor
Stacey Pickering
Foster Mentor
Cathy Green
Foster Mentor
Valerie Cardenas
Foster Mentor
We have many volunteers and fosters who spend countless hours picking up and delivering dogs, pulling dogs from shelters, helping with media, website, processing paperwork, shipping supplies, sending messages and so much more. Our donors are generous with time and money to save the dogs. It takes all of us, working together, every single day. Our only inspiration is the knowledge that each of the dogs who come through Low Rider, get the care they need and the loving homes they deserve.