ABOUT
LAST CHANCE

Save An Angel’s journey began in 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a fight to save a remarkable dog named Angel. Diagnosed with Canine B-Cell Lymphoma—a disease with a survival rate of less than 2% at the time—Angel faced seemingly impossible odds. To her devoted pet parents, Kristie and Johnny Sullens, Angel wasn’t just a pet; she was family in every sense of the word.

​

Angel’s only chance at survival was a canine bone marrow transplant, a groundbreaking procedure with a daunting $16,000 price tag—an expense far beyond the reach of most families. Determined not to give up, Kristie and Johnny sacrificed everything they could: selling personal belongings, giving up their wedding rings, and canceling their honeymoon. Yet, it still wasn’t enough. Desperate to save Angel, they launched a grassroots fundraising campaign called Save An Angel.

​

What followed was extraordinary. Kristie and Johnny poured their hearts into raising the life-saving funds, hosting yard sales, organizing tabling events, and collecting Mardi Gras bead donations—a nod to Louisiana’s cherished tradition—which they resold to support Angel’s treatment. Their local community rallied around them, embracing the cause with unwavering support. As Angel’s story spread, it inspired animal lovers across the country and beyond to donate to help save her life. Against all odds, they reached their fundraising goal and Angel underwent a successful bone marrow transplant at North Carolina State University in early 2010, becoming the fifteenth dog in the world to receive this cutting-edge treatment—and she was cured!

​

But Angel’s remarkable story didn’t end there. Along the journey to save Angel, a significant challenge within animal welfare became clear: the overwhelming number of pets in shelters and the lack of access to affordable veterinary care. This eye-opening realization prompted action. Inspired by the compassion and support of their community to save Angel, Kristie and Johnny recognized the potential to harness this collective energy to help countless animals. In April 2010, they officially incorporated Save An Angel as a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of pets.

From Angel’s fight for survival grew a greater purpose: to strengthen the bond between pets and their families, end the cycle of unnecessary shelter deaths, and create a future where every pet has the opportunity to live a healthy, happy life. Her story gave rise to the organization and paved the way for thousands of animals to receive lifesaving care and support each year. Angel went on to live seven more joyous, cancer-free years, spreading love and happiness to everyone she touched before passing away peacefully in May 2017. Her legacy, however, continues to shine brightly. 

​

While Save An Angel no longer funds advanced treatments like Angel’s bone marrow transplant, the organization’s vision remains steadfast: building a compassionate community where pets and their families thrive together without barriers. Angel’s resilience and the love she inspired are deeply woven into the foundation of Save An Angel, serving as a lasting reminder that even in the face of overwhelming odds, compassion and determination can create transformative change.