Shannon began volunteering for Last Hope in May 2015 while working on puppy mill issues in Iowa. She and her family began by fostering dogs and have had 11 fosters since then. She felt that fostering was something her family could do to save the lives of animals.

She also has transported dogs, helped with a variety of events, is a foster lead, and does home checks in her area for people who want to foster or adopt.

Shannon says she loves volunteering for Last Hope because she loves animals and wants to be a voice for the voiceless. About fostering, which can be difficult because it means saying goodbye to the animals when they find forever homes, she says this:

“I hear many times people say, ‘I could never foster because I would end up failing and wanting to keep them all,’ I answer them, it is hard to see a foster go, but it’s also very rewarding. I know that they are going to a great home that will care for them and love them as much as I do. I keep in touch with my adopters and they are always sending me pictures. I know if I can adopt a dog out to its forever home then Last Hope Animal Rescue can save another one for me to take in.”

Besides volunteering for Last Hope, Shannon also spends time educating people about puppy mills and the pet store connection. She also does TNR (trap, neuter, release) when she finds stray cats in her neighborhood.

Thank you, Shannon, for all you do for the animals through Last Hope and your advocacy for them!