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!
