Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Hoffman
Hi Emily, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The Barking Project is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs facing euthanasia in overcrowded Texas shelters and beyond. Founded in 2022 by a group of passionate women who volunteer for shelters and rescues, this organization was born out of a shared desire to address the heartbreaking reality of adoptable dogs being euthanized due to lack of shelter space and resource constraints.
The core of The Barking Project is its large-scale adoption event, which brings together rescues from across Texas to connect adoptable dogs with loving families. By facilitating these adoptions and raising funds, the organization supports shelters and rescues in their ongoing efforts to save lives. Helping rescues get dogs adopted into loving forever homes allows them to take in more dogs on the verge of being put to down that will placed under their care on top of saving lives.
Each year, The Barking Project generates funds through sponsorships, donations, raffles, and a Memory Wall. All proceeds are then divided equally among the participating rescues and shelters. As the organization’s impact grows, so does the number of dogs saved and money raised. By collaborating with numerous rescues and shelters, The Barking Project showcases a wide variety of adoptable dogs and facilitates hundreds of adoptions each year.
Beyond adoption, The Barking Project aims to raise awareness about the issue of overcrowded shelters and the importance of adoption. They encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters and rescues rather than purchasing from breeders. By showcasing the variety of shelter and rescue dogs, we aim to highlight that every breed, age, size, temperament, and color can be found within them. It’s crucial to dispel the common misconception that dogs at risk of euthanasia are inherently ‘bad’ – in reality, they are simply victims of circumstance, often facing this fate through no fault of their own.. The organization also highlights the significance of fostering, volunteering, and donating as ways to contribute to the cause. By bringing together rescues and potential adopters in one convenient location, The Barking Project fosters a sense of community and empowers individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of animals in need.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We launched The Barking Project from scratch, with no track record of success or legitimacy. To make our first adoption event a reality, we had to persuade shelters and rescues to participate, as well as convince companies and individuals to sponsor, donate or contribute in-kind to our raffle. We also needed to secure a popular location for free in an animal-loving community and encourage people to attend.
Despite the challenges, our inaugural event was a huge success, drawing a large crowd and leading to the adoption of nearly all the dogs, while also providing much-needed funding for participating shelters and rescues. Each year, we’ve doubled in size and become established in the community and animal rescue world. We’re thrilled to see growing interest from people wanting to get involved, which is essential for spreading awareness about our cause.
Another large hurdle we faced and are still working on is how to collect monetary donations. The challenge is that many donation platforms charge non-profits high fees, which we want to minimize to maximize the amount each participant receives. Additionally, we need a solution that works for everyone, regardless of their banking platform, to make donating easy and accessible.
As we mark our fourth year, we’re still refining our approach, identifying areas for improvement and exploring ways to increase our event’s impact. We’re always open to constructive criticism and value advice from all sources.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Allison Frizzo, the co-founder, and I both have careers in commercial real estate. In fact, many of our Board members are also connected to the industry. I’ve been an office tenant representative for over 17 years, working at Colliers, while Allison runs her own company, Hart Commercial, specializing in medical offices. It’s challenging to balance our paid jobs with The Barking Project, a volunteer passion project that we’re dedicated to.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Your network is a powerful tool for spreading the word about your cause. The more you remind people about your organization, the more they’ll remember it and share it with their friends and family. Social media, particularly influencers, are key assets in raising awareness and driving participation for your organization.
We’re lucky to have Gemma Galeoto, a brilliant attorney with Holland & Knight, on our Board. She’s made a huge impact on The Barking Project, helping us secure 501c3 status and ensuring we operate within the law. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors for The Texas Humane Network, a non-profit 501c3 that promotes the humane treatment of animals as well as focusing on animal rights in Texas and advocating for the improvement of animal cruelty laws. Unfortunately, in Texas, we have a long way to go to catch up to the laws of almost every other state.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebarkingproject.com
- Instagram: @thebarkingproject
- Facebook: @thebarkingproject
Image Credits
Carlos De Leon Photography
