Our Mission: Saving Paws Animal Rescue of Kentucky, a 501c3 ,non-profit organization based in Owensboro, Kentucky, is dedicated to lowering euthanasia rates of dogs and cats in area shelters, educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering, and promoting animal adoption in Kentucky. SparKy aspires to foster lifelong connections between well-deserving dogs and cats and families and placing them in successful, nurturing homes. Through support, guidance, education and service, our grassroots organization commits to create a positive, sustainable impact within the community and beyond.
Our Story: SparKy was founded in 2006 by John and Bridget Austin as a foster-based only animal rescue. In 2009, the IRS granted SparKy 501c3 status. In 2022, we opened our brick and mortar rescue center on 18th Street in Owensboro. While the majority of our animals continue to reside in foster homes, the rescue center allowed us to grow the rescue and its impact on the community. Area shelters depend on SparKy to lower the number of animals euthanized due to lack of space or needed medical care. SparKy takes in multiple major medical/special needs cases every year from animals needing emergency surgery, puppies suffering from parvovirus, animals needing amputations, heartworm positive dogs, FeLV/FIV positive cats, and a host of other conditions. We also take in numerous litters of puppies and kittens. Every animal that SparKy takes in is spayed or neutered, receives appropriate vaccinations, treated for intestinal parasites, is given flea and tick prevention, and microchipped.