Renee Coombs loves dogs.

The president/director of Underhound Railroad, Coombs has been involved in the organization since 2011, when she lost her dog, Lily, who was 5. “I thought I could never go through that pain again,” she said. “A friend suggested I might want to try fostering, and here I am five years later.”

Coombs, of Damariscotta, said she was a “failure” at her first fostering attempt. It was two months after losing her dog, and she though fostering would be good for her. “I didn’t think I’d get attached and get my heart broken again. I had the dog for two days, and I called my husband and said, 'I can't let him go.’”

A nonprofit organization, Underhound Railroad was formed in 2009 by a group of friends whose mission was to rescue dogs from being euthanized in Connecticut shelters.

The focus is now primarily on southern states like Georgia, North and South Carolina and West Virginia, where shelters are overcrowded. Thanks to Underhound Railroad and volunteers, dogs aren’t just being saved, they are being treated for medical issues and going to homes that provide security and love.

Now Louisiana has been added to the mix. Due to the flooding in August, the shelters there have become overcrowded and are reaching out to other states for help.

On Sept. 17, nine dogs were transported from Louisiana to New Jersey. Coombs said the dogs eventually made it to Maine, Connecticut and New Hampshire in “true Underhound Railroad style - from volunteer to volunteer.”  Six of them were brought to Maine and have been placed in foster homes.

Now the organization is looking for more people to foster and adopt dogs. It's not just southern dogs who are saved by Underhound. Local dogs are in need of homes, too. And dogs need people.

“We really need fosters,” Coombs said. “I think people are afraid to foster, but we really try to match them up with the right dog for the home. If you tell me you need a dog who is cat-friendly, and child-friendly, then we're not going to pair you with a dog who's not okay with that. If it's not working out they can just call us and we'll figure something out.”

And Coombs can't stress enough how important socialization is to the fostered and adopted dogs. “Socialize, socialize, socialize — that's our biggest motto,” Coombs said. “With other dogs and people. If dogs are left at home alone they will be shy, timid and unhappy.” She is a firm believer in bringing dogs into the workplace, too. “Most people like seeing dogs in the workplace. If you have a dog who's happy and socialized, why shouldn't they be able to go to work with you.”

Coombs has seven dogs living with her right now. Three are fosters and four are adoptees. One of the fosters, 5-month-old Daisy, was found in a yard in Louisiana. She had been hit by a car and had a broken hip and a shattered knee. She was taken to a shelter and kept there all of June and July. On Aug. 13, the floods hit.

After Coombs brought Daisy home and gave her a bath, she put her in the fenced-in yard. After sniffing around for a minute or two, Daisy took off running across the yard. “She was throwing her head back and spinning around and running and smelling the grass.

“Daisy is the most grateful little thing in the universe. She comes over and thanks my husband and me after she eats. She gives me a lick, and then him a lick, as if to say thank you.

“These dogs are truly grateful that we take a chance on them.”

Underhound Railroad saves 90 to 110 dogs a year. It takes care of veterinarian bills during fostering, and provides crates, leashes and collars. And when it is able to, it provides food and blankets.

Even if you’re not able to take a dog into your home, as a foster or an adoptee, you can help with a donation. Money may be given to Woodbrook Animal Clinic in Wiscasset, or you can donate through the Underhound Railroad website or Facebook page.  And volunteers are always needed.

Coombs has a favorite quote, from Karen Davison: “Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”