Mindy Fitzgerald knows what it means to be a “foster fail.” She got her second dog, Theodore (“Theo”), a mastiff mix, after bringing him home from Seattle Animal Shelter as a foster puppy. And on top of that, she went from being a foster parent to fully adopting the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) as her volunteer home.
Mindy was first connected with the shelter when she adopted her family’s first dog, Charlie, a lab mix.
“When Covid came, I felt like I should do more … and I knew the shelter was looking for fosters,” Mindy said. “So I signed up to be a foster. Then I’d also get emails about how they were looking for volunteers for the first in-person auction after Covid. I thought, I do communications, that sounds fun!”
Mindy quickly went from being a volunteer on the auction committee to being recruited as a SASF board member and co-chair of the Furevermore Auction & Gala, a role she’s taken on this year. That position has her working heavily in the strategy, planning,and procurement space, making connections and ensuring the auction is a success.
Over the past two years, she’s gotten more involved with the inner workings of the shelter and found an even stronger attachment to the work.
“I wanted to be involved with what was going on at the shelter so I signed up to be a dog walker. I love being able to be a part of the shelter as well as the board. It gives you a very special connection and perspective into both worlds. It’s been a great experience. I love dog walking – especially in the pea patch. It’s a couple of hours to just focus on the dogs, who are always happy to see you. It gives me energy.”
Working with the foundation board and committees feeds her spirit a little differently than her direct work with shelter animals.
“With my position on the board, I know that I’m making a direct impact on the wellbeing of the animals in the shelter,” she said. “Our fundraising from (Furevermore) is currently funding a behaviorist position and the new foster coordination position, which has been so crucial to getting dogs out of the kennels, into loving and caring foster homes, and eventually to their forever homes.”
Proceeds raised from this year’s Fund a Need at Furevermore are going to something equally important: a new initiative called “The Best Chance” program, which will support outreach to underserved communities through the sharing of care, information and resources with the goal of creating more open, trusting relationships – and keeping animals safe with their families. According to the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition, access to preventative care and education are the leading determinants of pet health, wellness and safety—both in the home and in our communities.
“Furevermore has been able to fund vital programs that are life changing for the animals and honestly for the staff at the shelter. The funding we’re able to provide is essential to the shelter’s day to day operations. The Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation is a critical piece of enhancing programs and filling the gaps at the shelter that the city can’t fund.”
And like so many, the shelter and its animals are what keep Mindy going through the long days and emotional ups and downs.
“For me, the most important thing is knowing the foundation and shelter staff are working towards a common goal – the overall welfare of the animals. When things get challenging and it seems like your’e spinning your wheels … then you think about the animals. We are all trying to give them a voice.”
Learn more about the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation and buy tickets to this year’s Furevermore at https://seattleanimalshelterfoundation.org.