Meet Live Like Roo

It is estimated that approximately 6 million dogs and 6 million cats will be diagnosed with cancer in a years time. According to The Veterinary Cancer Society, cancer is the leading cause of death in 47% of dogs, especially dogs over age ten, and 32% of cats. As it stands today, there are about 100 types of animal cancer with leukemia being the most common type of cancer in cats and lymphoma and mammary gland cancer being the most common types in dogs.

Emotions run high when we hear the word cancer and we are grateful to know that a nonprofit organization, Live Like Roo exists in Chicago. Live Like Roo is a strong support system providing guidance, hope, compassion, strength, and financial assistance to families whose pet faces a cancer diagnosis.

Live Like Roo is an all-volunteer-run, donation-based, 501C3 charitable organization that to date has assisted over 8,200 pets and their families through cancer diagnose and treatment with the help of grants, care packages, genuine human support and kindness. The organization was inspired by founder Sarah Lauch’s own experience of caring for her own rescue dog, Roosevelt, through terminal cancer.

To grasp a better understanding of Live Like Roo, we reached out to Sarah.

“When Roo passed away from cancer, we had a lot of people hanging on to the story. I decided to send out cancer care packages with my own money to ease the pain of people going through the same thing as me. Cancer a devastating diagnosis and I wanted to help. A few months later, we turned Live Like Roo into an official 501c3 and since have sent over 2500 cancer care packages and donated close to $700,000 in medical bills.”

What do you enjoy most?

Getting the photos of the care packages warms my heart. Providing just a bit of sunshine during a dark time is so rewarding. I also love to see the words “CANCER FREE”!

Tell us more about the 4 different programs available for pets with cancer.

The Booker Fund: Labeled for a dude named Booker who fostered hospice dogs. We provide bucket list items to terminally ill dogs with cancer. We also provide hotel stays, ice cream trips, photography sessions, massages, wagons-anything the animal needs. This fund is separate and does not take away from our medical funds.

Maggie’s Mission: Named for Maggie, a cat that passed away from cancer. We cover most of the costs of any cat with cancer.

The Cappy Fund: Named after Captain Cowpants, a rescue ambassador, we provide 100% of vetting for any shelter or rescue dog with a cancer diagnosis that passes are application process.

Serenity’s Wish: Provides end-of-life funds for animals with cancer. We provide euthanasia, paw prints, and ashes.

Thank you for everything you do, Live Like Roo! We’re proud to be able to work with you and help pets and their humans fight this terrible disease.