Volunteer Spotlight - October

Volunteer Spotlight: Lori Schutt

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!  

How long have you been with HWMAR and how did you get involved with the rescue?

I have been with HWMAR since 2015. I started as a foster, and after immediately keeping the dog we were fostering, I was asked to join the Board of Directors.

What do you do for the rescue?

I currently serve as the Board President and have been in this role for about five years, after previously serving as Vice President. Along with our dedicated board members, I help oversee the rescue and ensure that everything runs smoothly. We’re fortunate to have an incredible group of volunteers who handle the day-to-day care of the animals, and as a board, our focus is on supporting them and providing the resources they need to continue our mission.

What do you love about this organization?

What's not to love - we are all working towards a common goal of rescuing animals. We are a rescue family.

What do you love about your job?

I love seeing that all the pieces we’ve worked so hard to put together over the years have helped the rescue grow and flourish. Watching an animal go from scared and uncertain to happy and loved in a forever home fills my heart every time. Knowing that we’ve played a part in giving them a second chance and building a community that believes in that mission is what makes it all so meaningful to me. 

Is there anything else you would like people to know?

GET INVOLVED! We are always looking for volunteers who want to help us make a difference. 

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!

Volunteer Spotlight - September

Volunteer Spotlight: Stephanie Fowler

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!  

How long have you been with HWMAR and how did you get involved with the rescue?

I joined HWMAR in August of 2020 as a cat foster. As an avid cat lover, I wanted to give back and was referred to HWMAR by another foster!

What do you do for the rescue?

In 2021, I took on a lead role with the Cat Team.  I began to coordinate intake and foster coordination for a fantastic team of people as passionate about cats as me!  I began to serve as a member of the HWMAR Board of Directors in March 2024. My primary role on the Board is to serve as a liaison between the board and our Cat and Dog teams. I strive to be that conduit for communication between the two groups so that we can work collaboratively to resolve challenges and celebrate achievements.

What do you love about this organization?

I love that we are foster based and get to play such an active role in an animal journey.  We have an opportunity to allow the animal to settle in and truly discover their personalities and help find them the best forever home match.  I love that, as a foster, we are allowed to have input into what home the animal is adopted to and get to meet the wonderful family that will give them their happily ever after.

What do you love about your job?

I truly enjoy being a key part of so many animal's journey.  We do get some healthy and well adjusted animals, but the ones that come in a little shy, scared, sick or injured really tug my heart.  Being able to be part of their journey and building up their confidence and making them feel better is so rewarding. I send a little piece of my heart with them when they go to their forever homes, but gosh does it make my heart feel full knowing they are headed to a happy life.

Is there anything else that you would like people to know? 

I often get asked by friends and family "How do you let them go after they have been in your home?" I am not going to lie, sometimes it is very hard and you do form a connection. I read somewhere a quote that really gets to the crux of it - " My heart breaks a little so theirs no longer has to."  I couldn't say it any better. If you have love to give and a little room in your home - I recommend checking into the rewards of fostering.

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!

Volunteer Spotlight - August

Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Williams

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!  

How long have you been with HWMAR and how did you get involved with the rescue?

I have been involved with the rescue for about 4 years now.  I was scrolling through Facebook one day and came across a post looking for a medical foster for a bulldog.  The dog needed someone who was at home and able to provide some simple wound care throughout the day.  It was during COVID and I was working from home, and I thought  "I can help this dog heal and find its forever home."  A few months later I was asked to become a part of the adoption team. 

What do you do for the rescue?

I am the "Adoption Coordinator" on the Dog side.   I process the applications that come into the rescue and receive all of the home photos.  Once the applications are processed, I review them with the foster families to see if the application is a good fit for their foster, and if it's a match, I prepare the adoption contracts.  I also answer email inquiries and write bios for some of our available dogs. 

What do you love about this organization?

I love the sense of community and pride. We all work together to get these animals into the right homes and with the right families. Everyone plays a part in that process, from intake, medical, fosters, event volunteers and those who work behind the scenes. It takes a village and we have a great one. 

What do you love about your job?

I love when an application ends in a match. 

it’s also very gratifying when you have a dog who has been with us for an extended period of time, whatever the reason, and you are able to finally match them with their perfect forever family. 

Is there anything else you would like people to know?

I would like people to know that fostering really does save lives!  If you can foster, even temporarily, the impact is huge. Foster dogs learn to live in homes and can be spared the stress of a shelter. It helps them adjust so they have a better chance of finding their forever families.  I urge everyone to considering fostering. An animal would much rather wait for its forever family with you, than in a shelter. 

What keeps you wanting to continue helping the rescue and all the adoptables?

Being a part of all of these wonderful animals getting to find their forever homes is what keeps me continuing the work we do. 

What is something funny or interesting about you?

I am a serial foster “failure”! I have adopted my last two HWM foster dogs, Benny and Hank both who were abandoned by their first people. They were able to live out their lives sleeping in cozy beds and living their best lives. I’m currently the mom to two Pugs (Miss Chase Elliott Williams and Slick Willie) a pit mix named Echo, and two sons, Michael and Evan.

Start your own foster journey with HWMR - volunteer to foster now!

Woofstock 2025: A Day of Tails, Treats & Togetherness

This year’s Woofstock was nothing short of pawsome! Held in the heart of our community, the event brought together animal lovers, rescue supporters, and furry friends for a day full of sunshine, smiles, and second chances. 🌞🐶

From the moment the as soon as the balloons were up and the music started playing, it was clear this would be our biggest Woofstock yet. Families strolled through the park with happy pups in tow, checking out vendor booths, sipping cold drinks, and trying tasty bites from participating restaurants—15% of those purchases directly supported Hoof, Woof, & Meow Animal Rescue. 🍔🍹🐕

Raffle Madness & Rescue Magic 🎟️✨
Over 90 raffle prizes were up for grabs—everything from pet-themed gift baskets to local experiences. The community came out strong to support our mission, with the 50/50 drawing adding even more excitement to the day. Every dollar raised helps us continue our mission of giving animals the second chance they deserve.

A Huge Paw of Appreciation 🐾💙
We owe a special thank you to All our sponsors. From supporting the rescue year round to handing out out adorable (and delicious!) pup cups that were a huge hit with our four-legged attendees, their support—and the wagging tails that followed—meant the world to us.

Thank you to our 2025 WoofStock Sponsors!

Why We Do This ❤️🐾
At the heart of it all, Woofstock is more than just a fun day out. It’s a celebration of community and compassion. Every adoption, every donation, and every volunteer hour helps write a new chapter for the animals we rescue. This is our hope for every dog and cat we save—that they find the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. 🐾🏡

To everyone who donated, shared our posts, came to the event, or just sent a little love from afar—thank you. You’re the reason this rescue keeps going. Let’s keep the tail wags going until next year’s Woofstock! 🐕🎶💕