A Richmond woman’s quick stop at the Mt. Vernon C‑Store turned into an unforgettable moment after she scratched off a $2 Kentucky Humane Society Scratch-off and uncovered the game’s $30,000 top prize.

She plans to share the win with her English Bulldog by getting his nails done.

Melanie Fisher says she plays Kentucky Lottery scratch-offs regularly, often choosing tickets that support causes she cares about since both Fisher and her daughter benefited from lottery-funded scholarships for their education. 

When the Kentucky Humane Society ticket launched, Fisher was excited to try a game that helped an organization close to her heart. What she didn’t expect was that one of those tickets would deliver life‑changing news.

“I scratched it off while talking to my daughter on the phone and just froze,” Fisher recalled. “I said, ‘I think I just won $30,000.’ I checked it again and again because I couldn’t believe it. I told my daughter, “I was like, ‘I have to go! It was crazy.” 

Still stunned, she and her husband headed to the store to confirm the win before making the trip to Kentucky Lottery headquarters, where she took home $21,750 after taxes.

Melanie describes the timing of the win as “a blessing,” sharing that she has faced significant medical challenges over the past several years. She said this uplifting moment brought her a renewed sense of hope. “It’s been a good week. This win came at the perfect time,” she said.

With her prize, Melanie plans to support her church and other local non-profits and maybe treat herself to a long‑admired designer bag, “but from a consignment shop,” she laughed.

The family’s spoiled English Bulldog will reap some rewards from Fisher’s win.

“We told him we would be able to get his nails done,” she said. “And he will probably get some more toys.”

Mt. Vernon C‑Store will receive $300 for selling the winning ticket.