Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Smith.
Abby, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was working part-time and having a wonderfully hedonistic life! September 11th, 2001 changed all of that and my life had to have meaning. I found a part-time Adoptions Counselor job at the then floundering Felines Inc. and have been here the last 16 years! We used to do 40 adoptions per year and since we’ve grown to become Felines & Canines, we do just about 1,300 adoptions annually!
Has it been a smooth road?
Non-profits constantly struggle for financial support, and we are no different. We had to completely change our philosophy of “Don’t tell anybody we’re here” and become the best with customer service in order to grow.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Felines & Canines story. Tell us more about the business.
We are different from the animals we assist are the left-overs that other groups leave behind. We specialize in “matchmaking” so any animal we place in your home has the absolute best opportunity to thrive there and become a cherished member of the family. I am most proud of our FIV+ cat integration program. Not only have we placed many more FIV+ cats by having them live on our floor with FIV- cats, but our program and it’s results have led to many shelters across the country to stop euthanizing FIV+ cats! Best. Thing. Ever.!
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
It seems that transport is the new wave of animal welfare. There are parts of the midwest bringing animals in from the south where there are no resources. We have great homes waiting for these amazing cats and dogs and they have so many being euthanized. We are building a holding facility n Alabama in order to get animals from euthanasia lists, get them physically and emotionally healed and transport them to us and our partners. It’s very progressive and exciting and a way to help thousands of animals per year from dying.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6379 N. Paulina Chicago, IL 60660
- Website: www.felinescanines.org
- Phone: 773-465-4132
- Email: AbbyFelinesandcanines@gmail.com
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