It all started with a French Lop rabbit named Luna. Found anemic, underweight, and suffering from muscle atrophy in many areas of her body, elementary school teacher Nevin Randle, as well as wife Lisa, decided to hop into action and give this furry friend the help that it would need to recover.

Unfortunately, Luna “crossed over the Rainbow Bridge” on July 27, 2006. “Luna taught us a remarkable lesson about compassion and kindness” Randle stated. The memories of Luna continue on and are honored by the creation of Luna’s House, Inc. This nonprofit organization has helped homeless or in need animals since the opening in November, 2006.

Found in Abingdon, Maryland, Randle has found ways to connect a wide variety of animals to a loving family. The animal rescue is not only seen saving lives of cats and dogs, but can also be seen nurturing small reptiles- rabbits, mice, chinchillas, etc.-as well as birds.

The most common species adopted at this association are cats. Dogs, rabbits, and other small animals have a slightly less adoption rate. The fifth grade teacher assured that “we take each adoption very seriously and aim to make a perfect match with each animal and his or her adoptive home.”

A vision statement for the organization is as followed: “Luna’s House envisions a future of respect for and compassionate treatment of all companion animals, a future in which every animal is placed in the happy home he or she deserves.”

The central facility, Luna’s House Animal Care & Education Center, was opened November 28, 2011. Randle believes that through teaching others, no matter the age, they can shape the future of animal care in our communities. “We focus on many different crucial subjects for all ages.” From respecting animals as part of your family, to having all animals neutered or spayed if medically possible, to researching the proper care of the species of animal looking to be adopted.

All adoption programs at Luna’s House are ran entirely by volunteers. The volunteers “work diligently to provide adoptive families with the knowledge and information they need to be responsible guardians.”

Anyone who would like to become a volunteer and help out this locally owned organization, all they have to accomplish is a three-step process: Application, Orientation, then select training with the species they are interested in working with. Any volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

While Randle juggles both a teaching career and Luna’s House, he remains to keep his two lives separate. It is rare to hear the teacher talking to students or parents about the organization during the day. While both occupations are very time-consuming, Randle informs, “I’m very lucky to have a wonderful team of teachers and a fantastic team at Luna’s House to make both manageable and rewarding.” He also shares that he could not balance both without the support from his wife and two teachers on his grade-level team.

One way the two worlds do collide is through techniques, skills, and experience the teacher has gained through the 16 years at North Harford Elementary. He uses this to “convey the appropriate treatment and care for animals to various youth groups and scout troops during my educational tours.”

An obstacle that is faced, however, does not deal with teaching and the organization interfering. Randle explained that the “costs of properly caring for the animals” in the programs and “the acquisition, rehabilitation, and upkeep” of the building are among some obstacles. He adds, “we are constantly fundraising in an effort to keep lights on, bellies full, and doors open.”

Anyone can visit lunashouse.org to learn how to donate and help beneficiate this nonprofit organization.

Randle hopes that Luna’s story, with the help of his wife and volunteers, “will inspire others” and provide “respect [for] and compassionate treatment of all companion animals becomes the norm in the years ahead, and that we can serve as one of the pioneers of this movement.”