Lowcountry Dog's Rescue Spotlight

Libby & Mace's Place Rescue

WRITTEN BY: ALYSSA HELMS, Social Media Manager

The rescue we are featuring in this series was founded on a reliance and deep love for canine companions. It has been around for a while, and has had the same mission since day one. Named after a senior and a survivor, this rescue’s mission is to give chances to the animals who usually would not get one. Libby & Mace’s Place Animal Rescue started simply as one woman’s love for helping animals and has grown into a giving community of volunteers, supporters and partners who all have the same goal, helping find forever families for homeless pets in need.

Libby & Mace’s Place Animal Rescue is led by its current president and founder Laura Phillips who has been involved in numerous rescue roles since 2010. Libby was Laura’s best friend through it all. She had her owner’s back through multiple moves, including their cross-country move, kids, and everything in between. Libby, the twelve year old Dachshund that Laura rescued in San Diego before coming to Charleston in 2013 was her “heart dog” and now Laura will always have a special place in her heart for senior dachshunds. The other part of the rescue’s name comes from the VP’s “heart dog”. Mace was thrown from a car at 4 weeks old and lives on with one eye due to the incident. He is the definition of a survivor. Libby (a senior that wouldn’t usually be a first pick) and Mace (an unwanted puppy who didn’t even get a chance) are examples of animals who would go unnoticed or unwanted without Libby & Mace’s Place, and examples of the type of animals they rescue.

photo by Palmetto Coast Media

Libby & Mace’s Place Animal Rescue is a foster only based rescue, so they have no building or shelter to keep animals while they are waiting to get rehabilitated and adopted. While it may limit the number of animals they can take in at times, having animals in foster homes versus in shelters helps with socialization and allows for more hands on training to happen, better adjusting them to adopted life. It also reduces overcrowding in shelters and allows more animals to have a chance. Being a foster only rescue doesn’t hold them back from saving animals. They currently have over 105 dogs in the comfort of foster homes, which is the highest number it has ever been thanks to their awesome team of dedicated fosters who step up time after time.

There is no such thing as a normal day in the Libby & Mace’s Place world. Every day is a new adventure. Because they have full time jobs and families of their own, they spare every minute of free time to Libby & Mace’s place. In fact, Laura spends three to four hours on most nights after work to keep up. She says “Rescue can be a lot. It can wear on your heart and soul. The team that we have surrounded ourselves with knows that. We allow ourselves to feel, pick ourselves up and start fresh the next day. But we also allow

ourselves to be human.” Laura and her team work around the clock to do whatever they can to get the most amount of animals saved. Laura says “the worst thing is knowing you didn’t get there in time to save a sweet, innocent soul”. They know there will be many big highs and lows in animal rescue. The day to day duties of running a foster based rescue, like any rescue, is not light work.

Laura Phillips, founder and president of Libby & Mace's place

photo by Palmetto Coast Media

Libby & Mace’s Place has a wonderful group of volunteers to help who run frequent adoption events and volunteers who help with the steady incoming messages, L&M database, adoption applications, etc. all for the sake of the animals. Their veterinarians are ready for anything that comes through the doors. The people contributing to this rescue are so dedicated to the animals. It is a part of who Laura is to continue helping these animals and getting them rescued.

There is a sense of family within the Libby & Maces’ community. Once the animals are with L&M they are safe. In this rescue, their passion radiates and makes anyone want to get involved. There are so many ways to change the lives of animals who need us and it gives such a rewarding feeling.

Libby and Mace’s Place is always looking for more fosters, volunteers for events, and transporters. Reach out via their website, Facebook or email! ■