Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Smith.
Jennifer, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and spent time visiting a nearby family farm with horses, pigs, chickens, and more. I have always loved animals and find it easy to relate to them. My father and I were close — sharing a love of sports and watching football, golf, baseball, whatever was on TV. I was a real Daddy’s girl.
When my Dad had a recurrence of cancer, I was a student at Auburn University in Alabama. I spent the next three years traveling back and forth to spend as much time as I possibly could with him. I used these trips to help the Bull Mastiff Rescue transport dogs to and from Florida. My world was shattered when my father passed away.
Instead of living an empty life without my Dad, I chose to move forward. I went online, searched Pet Finder, and applied to adopt a 12-week old Brittany Spaniel/Great Pyrenees mix puppy that lived in West Virginia. Within a month, I was travelling to Atlanta to meet Rudy’s plane, with University of Georgia collar and leash, because I hadn’t purchased his necessary supplies. And for an Auburn girl whose blood runs orange and blue, to place that red collar and leash on that little puppy was almost more than I could stand!
My love for little Rudy grew, as did my passion for raising money to fight cancer. Our sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, had adopted the American Cancer Society as our project charity, and I was consumed with working for that cause. I became chairman of Auburn’s Relay for Life Sponsorship Committee, and I’ve worked in nonprofit fundraising ever since.
As director of development for the Humane Society of North Texas, I have the privilege of combining my greatest passions — animals and fundraising.
Has it been a smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I’ve learned something positive from every bump!
Taking a chance and moving to Texas to be closer to my Mom who had relocated to San Antonio was a huge step for me. Rudy and I moved to Fort Worth, found a great job, lost said job and then followed my passion and went to work with a veterinary clinic. I knew Rudy needed a friend to spend the long days with, so off I went to the Humane Society of North Texas. Next thing I knew, I was adopting a frightened, six-month-old Australian Shepherd. Roxie soon became Rudy’s best friend. After a couple of years, I joined the nonprofit world, raising funds for social services agencies until my dream job came available. Development at the Humane Society where I found my second pup.
Another challenge I face every day is the fact that we annually have more than 50 million stray animals, six million of which make their way into shelters across the U.S. I advocate for them every day. Yet people, even close friends I know still buy cats and dogs from pets stores.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Humane Society of North Texas has been saving lives since 1905. Our mission is to act as an advocate for all animals in need. We rescue animals from abuse and neglect. And we pair deserving animals with deserving forever homes. We are proud to be on track to have a record adoptions year, finding forever homes for more than 10,000 animals.
During my first year at the Humane Society, I orchestrated the organization’s first annual gala. I’m quite proud of its success — bringing almost 250 animal lovers together in celebration of our accomplishments and to raise funds to save even more lives.
I am proud to be a part of the leadership team that is forever going to shape the future of North Texas animals in need.
On a more personal note, I spearheaded the recent Kuranda Bed drive, which secured almost 200 beds. As a result, every cat and dog in our care now can sleep in an elevated bed.
Big or small, we save them all.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Fort Worth is an amazing city full of great potential and growth. As one of the fastest growing cities in the US, the economy is fairing well and attracting fortune 500 companies who are choosing DFW as their home and in some cases their headquarters.
DFW is an amazing city to move to because of the variety of things to do and historic culture. I hope that as more people move to the city that more families will open their homes and hearts to shelter pets in need.
Pricing:
- Microchipping $15
- Rabies Vaccination $5
- DAPP $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 1840 E. Lancaster Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76103
- Website: www.hsnt.org
- Phone: 817-332-4768
- Email: info@hsnt.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanesocietyofnorthtexas/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/humanesocietyofnorthtexas
- Twitter: @HSNT1
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/humane-society-of-north-texas
Image Credit:
Carlos de Leon
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