Tell Your Story
Help us celebrate you — the amazing community of supporters who shaped our past and continue to shape our future.
Read stories from supporters just like you!
Richard: My story
My late wife always had dogs when she passed 2 yrs ago. She had asked me if I was going to get a dog. My best friend loves me like crazy. I got her at Lollypop 2 yrs ago she’s my Connie girl. I swear she is the incarnation of my Judie.
Richard: My story
My late wife always had dogs when she passed 2 yrs ago. She had asked me if I was going to get a dog. My best friend loves me like crazy. I got her at Lollypop 2 yrs ago she’s my Connie girl. I swear she is the incarnation of my Judie.
Kylie: Rescue is my middle name 😊
We first visited Lollypop Farm when hiking nearby. Then we adopted Laddie, our dach/cairn terrier mix. Then we fostered Ebony, a cat we rescued. Then we became walkers. Now we are members. Every animal we've had had been a rescue, save one. I've worked in veterinary...
Kylie: Rescue is my middle name 😊
We first visited Lollypop Farm when hiking nearby. Then we adopted Laddie, our dach/cairn terrier mix. Then we fostered Ebony, a cat we rescued. Then we became walkers. Now we are members. Every animal we’ve had had been a rescue, save one. I’ve worked in veterinary medicine for many years in the past. My hope for Lollypop Farm is expansion and growth until there is enough room for all the animals in our region and some more room to take in animals rescued from natural disasters. I pray for many volunteers, and open hearts and homes in the community, for each and every animal.
Alan: Shane memories, good-bad-all entertaining.
After I visited Lollypop twice and discovered a furry friend that needed a home, we set up a visit with my family. We had little ones at the time and the dog you had was part Chow, classically not great with kids. The great staff there wanted to make sure he would be...
Alan: Shane memories, good-bad-all entertaining.
After I visited Lollypop twice and discovered a furry friend that needed a home, we set up a visit with my family. We had little ones at the time and the dog you had was part Chow, classically not great with kids. The great staff there wanted to make sure he would be ok around our kids before we took him home. All went great and Shane became part of our family. We have countless stories, mostly good, all entertaining, that we still retell to this day quite often. He passed away 10 years ago and it feels like yesterday. My kids still have pictures of him that they keep and his name comes up all the time. Thanks to Lollypop for saving him and thanks to Shane for letting us share life with him.Keep up the great work there!! We could never thank you and the staff enough for helping so many.
The Shura’s…. Alan, Loriann, Kyler, Devon, Alexis, Anthony and our crazy friend Shane!
Elaine: My best friend..
I first experienced Lollypop Farm as a child. This was in around 1959, when my parents would bring me and my brothers to see and feed the farm animals. After that, the best thing that ever happened to me, was when I adopted my dog Penny from Lollypop in about 1970....
Elaine: My best friend..
I first experienced Lollypop Farm as a child. This was in around 1959, when my parents would bring me and my brothers to see and feed the farm animals. After that, the best thing that ever happened to me, was when I adopted my dog Penny from Lollypop in about 1970. Penny was my absolute best friend for the next 17 years and I will always think of Lollypop when I think of her, which I do often.
Charlotte: Could a couple of cats help us?
We were being over run with rodents in our horse barn and sometimes traps would work and when they did it wasn’t fun to empty them. Our horses would spill grain which was an invitation for rodents. I read about feral cats and the need for homes. We talked about how...
Charlotte: Could a couple of cats help us?
We were being over run with rodents in our horse barn and sometimes traps would work and when they did it wasn’t fun to empty them. Our horses would spill grain which was an invitation for rodents. I read about feral cats and the need for homes. We talked about how that might solve our rodent problem plus give cats a home and save their lives. We adopted two working cats from Lollypop Farms where everyone was friendly and helpful. They both have learned that our barn is a safe home and where they are fed. They have also become friendly in degrees. One will let us pet her but the other comes near us but does not like to be touched.
So could a couple of cats help us? YES~~no rodents and we enjoy having them!
Thank you Lollipop Farm!
Marie: Rats are great pets.
Many years ago my husband and I decided to adopt. I have cat and dog allergies, so we decided to go for a little critter. He suggested rats. At first I was hesitant, because...rats (LOL). We decided on two white rats , sister to each other. About 9 months old. We...
Marie: Rats are great pets.
Many years ago my husband and I decided to adopt. I have cat and dog allergies, so we decided to go for a little critter. He suggested rats. At first I was hesitant, because…rats (LOL). We decided on two white rats , sister to each other. About 9 months old. We named them Roxy and Miss Daisy, They, were great, and affectionate Roxy decided to be what the rat community calls a “true shoulder rat”. She would climb onto my shoulder and actually let me walk around with her up there. Because she trusted me.
Through the years, we had a total of 6 rats. I am a bit older now, and have decided against more. But, we supported Lollypop Farm ever since
Cindy: Can’t measure the love that has come from Lollypop Animals!
Like so many in our community my four legged family members - 5 cats over the years - have all come for Lollypop Farm! They give so much love and purpose to my life. From hunting mice and bugs, to cuddling, to doing Facebook lives with me for my businesses and so much...
Cindy: Can’t measure the love that has come from Lollypop Animals!
Like so many in our community my four legged family members – 5 cats over the years – have all come for Lollypop Farm!
They give so much love and purpose to my life. From hunting mice and bugs, to cuddling, to doing Facebook lives with me for my businesses and so much more, their contribution to my life is immeasurable. I do not really consider that I have given them a home, I only think of what they bring to me. My heart is full for the care Lollypop gave them if only for a few days or weeks before I had them.
This love for pets recently inspired me to launch a new business last fall, all about celebrating our relationships with out pets, “Posh Paws Jewelry”.
From the start I decided that giving back to Lollypop Farm would be part of that product line! We’re just starting out but, with time, hope to be able to contribute heartily to Lollypop Farm’s wonderful work – especially the work they do to help difficult or hard to place animals.
Thank You Lollypop for all the love you have brought into my life and all the work you do for animals in our community! I hope the world will reach a point where there are not so many distressed animals but until then I am grateful for the wonderful people there doing the hard work to help these creatures.
I know that I might myself have a difficult time facing the situations you see there so it makes me even more thankful and eager to help as much as I can!
Maureen: My Angel Rat the Ambassador
Over the years I have adopted 7 pet rats from Lollypop Farm. All rats are wonderful, and just like children have their own unique personalities. Bleu was a very special rat! Every single person who met him instantly fell in love. Even those we thought they hated rats....
Maureen: My Angel Rat the Ambassador
Over the years I have adopted 7 pet rats from Lollypop Farm. All rats are wonderful, and just like children have their own unique personalities. Bleu was a very special rat! Every single person who met him instantly fell in love. Even those we thought they hated rats. Some say that each person has an aura. I believe that is true of animals too. Bleu radiated pure unadulterated love. Such a tiny animal, but such a big heart! Friends of mine who thought I was crazy for having rats, instantly loved him. One night I had a medical crisis. Once I was stabilized, one of the EMTs said, I wish I could stay all night and play with him. All that year I was in terrible and constant pain in my hip. Bleu would go to the side of his cage closest to my chair and stretch out in his cage as close as possible to me. He’d stay there for hours. If I moaned he was on high alert, jumping up as if to check on me. Before I went into the hospital I had set up several home services so that everything would go smoothly when I got home. The MOWs lady was so impressed she stayed for almost an hour. It took 5 min. to fill out the paperwork. The rest of the time was spent visiting with Bleu. The personal alert system guy was mesmerized by Bleu. The handyman who put up grabbars stayed to talk to Bleu. All my homecare team liked me. They loved Mr. Bleu. Bleu was the Pied Piper in reverse. He didn’t lead the mice out of town. He lead all the humans to him! Bleu was grey and white with a white blaze down his face. He was one of the most beautiful rats I ever had or saw. That’s saying something. He was my 26th rattie! One of my best friends hated rats. For years I kept telling her how great they were. She said that I would never convince her. And I didn’t. Bleu did. She babysat Bleu when I went out of town 2 weeks before my surgery. We were only an hour from home before I wanted to call and check on my little one. I decided to wait. I didn’t want my friend to think that I was checking up on her. I need not have worried. 15 min. later my phone pinged. My friend had sent 3 videos of Bleu’s antics and Grandma Jeanne loving him up. The day before my hip surgery she called wanting to know when Bleu was coming. She was disappointed that my sister was going to babysit him. I started to chronicle Bleu’s life on Facebook. He was a hit. I’ve been advocating for pet mice since 1991 and rats since my first one in 2000. I wrote a newspaper article on how wonderful rats are. My car is a rolling billboard for rats. My license plate is PETRATS. But for all my efforts, Bleu was the best ambassador for rats. Blue helped me through a very hard time in my life. Besides my physical pain, I had to put my sister in assisted living. Emotionally that was gut-wrenching. But I had my little angel by my side. That’s what made Bleu so special. I rescued all my rats. But Bleu rescued me. And I am so grateful to Lollypop Farm. First for being there to rescue Bleu. And second of all for giving me Blue. 💙
JoAnne: From Fear and Aggression to Westminster Rescue Dog of The Year
I have adopted both cats and dogs from Lollypop Farm over the years. But my story to tell is about my dog Zoe. With the assistance of Kay Sydowski, founder of the Rochester Jack Russell Rescue group, I adopted Zoe, a 9-month-old Jack Russell Terrier from Lollypop. She...
JoAnne: From Fear and Aggression to Westminster Rescue Dog of The Year
I have adopted both cats and dogs from Lollypop Farm over the years. But my story to tell is about my dog Zoe. With the assistance of Kay Sydowski, founder of the Rochester Jack Russell Rescue group, I adopted Zoe, a 9-month-old Jack Russell Terrier from Lollypop. She had been crated for the majority of her young life, without socialization skills and aggressively fearful. Despite attempts to alleviate her fears, Zoe remained unapproachable, until Kay Sydowski was called. Thanks to Kay’s patience and skill in working with her, Zoe, after many hours spent with Kay, was deemed adoptable. Over the years Zoe and I became the best of friends, competing together in agility training (led by Kay) and JRT races at the local Walnut Hill Carriage Competitions. When Lollypop put out communication that there was a national search sponsored by Hill’s Science Diet for a ‘Rescue Dog of The Year’, Zoe’s success story rendered her the winner. She went from a fearful, aggressive pup to the celebrated dog at the 2002 Westminster Dog show. She was the toast of the town staying at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, being hosted at a dinner in her honor where Hills Science Diet presented a significant cash donation in her honor to Lollypop Farm. Zoe lived a long, happy life until she died peacefully in my arms at age 17. These rescue animals are a blessing to those who recognize their value. For decades Lollypop Farm has saved the lives of countless animals, of all breeds, whose success ranges from being the best of family members, farm residents, companions to those in need, and symbols of the value of a life saved. All of these animals are champions. Lollypop and all of its staff and volunteers are to be commended for their tireless efforts in doing difficult, and rewarding work to save these animals. My hope is that this work continues and that communities strive to ensure the viability of rescue organizations like Lollypop. Perhaps one day shelters, education, and fundraising to save these animals will no longer be needed, as our society will have reached the point of intolerance to animal cruelty, abandonment, and over-breeding. Until then, Lollypop should remain at the forefront of our charitable giving efforts and awareness. Thank you Lollypop for enriching my life with the animals that I found through you!
Jessica: Jenny
I used to visit Lollypop Farm as a child but first became involved with Lollypop as a dog walking volunteer back in 1999. In 2000, there was an opening on the fundraising team, so I jumped at the opportunity. I continued to foster dogs as well, with 4 of those dogs...
Jessica: Jenny
I used to visit Lollypop Farm as a child but first became involved with Lollypop as a dog walking volunteer back in 1999. In 2000, there was an opening on the fundraising team, so I jumped at the opportunity. I continued to foster dogs as well, with 4 of those dogs turning into permanent family members (Jenny, Ruby, Beatrice and now Patrick). Our first “foster fail” was Jenny, a heartworm positive stray who lucked out and ended up at Lollypop and was able to live out her last few senior years with us. I spent many great years working at Lollypop where I was able to see firsthand how much the community needs all of the services you provide. I can’t imagine the Rochester area without it, so my hope is that you continue to do what you’re doing and grow to meet the needs of the community as it changes.