“I had the privilege of onboarding Kasey as a foster when she first applied to volunteer with DPA! I remember having the most candid conversation with her – she was not afraid to ask questions, talk about her fears of being a foster, and absorb any and all information I was throwing her way. By the end of that conversation, she already had a foster in mind and picked him up shortly thereafter. Two years later and Kasey‘s enthusiasm for our mission, these animals, and her overall passion for rescue has not diminished in the slightest. Kasey continues to pull the dogs that are overlooked in the shelter – large dogs, bully breeds, major medical cases, the works! She doesn’t discriminate though and also helps by fostering kittens through our TNR program! When she is not working her full-time job, managing the other full-time role of a mom, caring for her own animals or full-time foster, she is helping out as a temp foster, offering transport to and from adoption events and vet appointments and providing her wisdom as a seasoned rescue volunteer. We are SO lucky to have Kasey on this team!” – Stefanie Steiner, Dallas Pets Alive! Foster Director
That’s why Kasey Reynard is a DPA! Pawsome Person! Learn more about her below:
How did you get involved with Fostering with DPA!?
I am really good friends with Allison Brandon (DPA!’s Medical Director) and I always listened to her foster stories in awe. It was May a few years ago and she was pleading for fosters for all these precious dogs, they were out of time. My family was looking for another dog and we decided to give it a try I am so glad that we did and we would save a life and most likely foster to adopt, which we did!! It was supposed to be a one-time deal, but once you save a life, you get hooked.
Tell us about a few of your fosters.
I love them all, so much so that I ended up adopting 3 of my fosters; Max, George, and Milo. Millie the Mastiff was one that will forever be a favorite. She was surrendered and so neglected and so HUGE. I’m so lucky that she was adopted by my parents, so I get to love on her all the time.
Dash was my first puppy and I was terrified to foster a puppy, but he ended up being one of the easiest and most fun. He was a tiny little 5 week old all by himself and I just could not stand it. I had a hard time letting go of him, but I found him a perfect family that loved him so much.
Then there is Willa and her puppy Mae. Willa had a litter of puppies and they were all taken to the shelter and they sat there awhile until we were able to bust them out. I was really only wanting to foster another puppy, but Willa needed someone to give her a chance so I ended up taking her and 1 of her little girls. Her puppy was hilarious, dramatic, and sweet and ended up with the nickname Hot Mess Mae. She was adopted quickly, but Willa still has not found her forever home. She is one of my favorite fosters, well dogs ever. She was so broken, did not know human love and she trusted me immediately, but she made me earn it too.
I feel that they all deserve mention, but I’ll stop there.
What is your favorite animal adoption story?
Millie the Mastiff!! Millie needed so much medical care that would be for the rest of her life and I knew I would struggle finding her a perfect home. She had some applicants, but I knew they were not the right fit (financially, Home setting, etc). My mom and dad are dog lovers and I knew they loved Millie, everyone loved Millie. When their senior lab passed away, my dad told me he wanted to adopt Millie and surprise my mom. I felt sick much excitement and was at ease, I knew Millie would never go without and would always get the care she needed, without complaint. So, we surprised Mom. She cried and has been head over heels ever since.
What do you love most about fostering with Dallas Pets Alive!?
Well of course saving these amazing animals, but also the friendships I’ve gained. There is no better support system than DPA!!!
What would be some words of wisdom to new DPA! Fosters?
It never gets easy to let them go, but it gets better when you save more!
Give us a fun fact about you!
I’m pretty boring really. I teach kindergarten, have a sweet and stubborn husband, and the greatest kid around. I live really far from Dallas, but love DPA! too much!!!
Be Pawsome like Kasey. Apply to be a Dallas Pets Alive! foster today!
