Cincinnati dog rescue organizations
Finding FURever Homes For Dejected Dogs Is Katie’s Heart
Katie Goodpaster is one of those people whose heart is beyond measure when it comes to dogs. In fact, we had to reschedule our first get together because she had gotten an emergency call from Kentucky about a dog in dire need of immediate medical attention and she had to get it to a veterinarian right away. How fortunate that dog is to have guardian angel like Katie looking after him, and doing all she can to give him a better, fulfilled life.
Katie first got involved with the HART of Cincinnati Animal Rescue in 2009, and has since grown her role into a full-time volunteer position as the coordinator for the dog side of the organization. She does this while also attending to her own three dogs and the numerous fosters that have come to stay with them over the years.
HART is an all-volunteer, foster-home based nonprofit, that typically finds forever homes for some 500 to 600 dogs and puppies each year. (By the way, they are always looking for new foster parents. If you are interested, please reach out to HART).
Let’s learn more about Katie.
Lisa: It is obvious your passion runs deep for this work. Where does that come from?
Katie: Ever since a little kid, I loved animals. It’s funny because we were not a big animal family so I have no idea where that I came from. I think I was probably adopted.
Lisa: I’d love to hear about your first dog.
Katie: When I was 14 we got a golden retriever. I got my very first dog when I was 25 and living in an apartment. Wags was a white shepherd and she was THE best dog. Her owners had ditched her at the vet’s office because they had gotten a puppy and she did not get along with it. As soon as I met her, I fell in love.
Wags was so laid back. I was told I couldn’t have her around other dogs of off-leash because she had horrible recall. Within two months, I had her around other dogs and she did fantastic, no matter the age. She also did have fantastic recall, never chewed anything, and had no accidents in the house. She always wanted to cuddle, and was always there as a quiet presence. Somehow Wags knew if I was upset. She was my traveling companion who would listen to me when I had a bad day at work.
Lisa: And now you have 3 dogs.
Katie: I do. Next to Wags, Maverick (my shepherd/mastiff mix) is one of my best dogs. I also have a shih tzu/yorkie mix named Princess and a ten year old jack russell/rat Terrier named Roo. Maverick has taught me so much about patience. He lets our foster puppies lay all over him. They all gravitate toward him, going to him when they are scared. Princess is very loving and bouncy, and wants to constantly lick something. She loves everyone. Roo is great with people but she is getting kind of old and grouchy and wants her space. She is always curled up at my back in bed.
Lisa: What is the most rewarding part of being part of HART?
Katie: Often you get a dog that comes in that is timid, shy, scared and has no idea of what is going on. All he wants to do is cower and hide behind a table, behind Maverick. As you spend more time with him, and he begins to trust, he blossoms into this fantastic dog that is social, friendly, enjoying life, outside playing and running, and taking treats. Then you adopt him into a home that will love him….that is what this is all about. The most rewarding part of my volunteer work is finding a dejected dog, and watching it learn to trust and blossom, and go to a forever home.
Lisa: Please share one of your important life lessons.
Katie: When I was 17, my mom was killed in an auto accident and it taught me that life is indeed short. You are never guaranteed to have a tomorrow or even the next couple of minutes, and so we need to do your best to live every day like it is your last one. Do what makes you happy. Eat the foods you want. Stop worrying about the diet or what size you need to fit into, and live life like there is no tomorrow.
United Pet Fund Garage Sale
I remember so well that day when United Pet Fund held its grand opening of its then new 8,500 sq ft Blue Ash Resource Center. In a 
warehouse building that would come to be stocked with pet food and supplies, dozens of people who shared a common interest in the welfare of animals were standing. All eyes were on a man and his dog, and the connection that spoke to the hearts of everyone in that room.
Dr. Zekoff, a Blue Ash veterinarian, founded United Pet Fund to support the work of dozens of local animal care and service organizations including dog and cat shelters and rescues without the resources to maintain their very important, difficult, and often emotional work of saving lives.
Next weekend, you are invited to attend UPF’s Garage Sale with tons of household items, sports equipment, toys, pet supplies and more…all to benefit UPF’s work – and ultimately over 85 regional animal shelters, rescues and advocacy groups. Below are more details.
UPF Garage Sale Preview Party
When: Friday, June 9 from 4 to 8 pm
Where: UPF Resource Center, 11336 Tamarco Drive; Blue Ash, Ohio 45242
Cost: A $10 donation
UPF Garage Sale
When: Saturday, June 10 from 8:30 am to 4 pm
Where: UPF Resource Center, 11336 Tamarco Drive; Blue Ash, Ohio 45242
Cost: FREE
United Pet Fund Opens New Center To Help Animal Rescues
I have got to say. I so admire people who have a dream and a passion, and absolutely do not quit in pursuing it.
This photo of Dr. Zekoff captures the heart of what United Pet Fund is all about.
Dr. Zeke Zekoff is one of those people. As a busy veterinarian, he has witnessed the tremendous gift of life and love given to animals who, for any number of reasons, have found themselves homeless only to be saved at the hands of caring people. Those people are the advocates, volunteers and staff of many area rescue organizations.
The problem is, there are just SO many animals in need and heart alone is not going to help those organizations flourish, or even maintain their level of sometimes very difficult, emotional and challenging work at nourishing, rehabilitating and finding new homes for those in their care.
Dr. Zekoff had a vision…to create another nonprofit that could assist those animal care and service organizations including dog and cat shelters and rescues with basic business services, education, food and emergency funding, and products.
That vision is United Pet Fund; and in five years they have supported the work of dozens of local member causes. They even hold a Pet Health Day in Over-the-Rhine once a year with a free preventative health clinic.
This week the culmination of five years of fundraising was celebrated with the grand opening of the 8,500 sq ft United Pet Fund Resource Center and warehouse. Dozens of animal advocates were there to celebrate such an important goal, and one that is going to allow for expanded services.
“I’ve always felt the need to give back to those who take care of homeless animals and use the gifts I was given that could most help them. United Pet Fund is a personal ministry to me,” Dr. Zekoff said. “This is what I will do to help this unrecognized army caring and finding homes for the animals the Lord has here now.”
He is excited about the future and wants to reach more organizations. “In five more years I would like to see United Pet Fund take on the role of “the” go-to animal support organization in the Tri-State and the State of Ohio. In 20 years, I’d like to have every major city with a UPF-type organization using the internet and major shippers to parcel out the blessings that businesses and the public donate.
“You never know when the big opportunities or supplies will arrive, but you have to be ready,” he said. “Now with the space a Resource Center provides, we can take our core mission to the next level and be a central source of distribution to really be impactful.”
