Important Announcement from Fur Kids Foundation

Since 2011, Fur Kids Foundation has been powered by LOVE. You’ve donated, volunteered, and stood with us to ensure pets in Campbell County, Wyoming get emergency veterinary care when their families need help most. Together, we’ve made a difference in the lives of hundreds of animals and the people who love them. 

In March 2025, we shared the difficult news that the Foundation Board had made the decision to dissolve the organization. It wasn’t a decision we made lightly. We’re all volunteers who give our time, money, and passion to this mission. But after years of giving our all, we’ve felt the very real strain of burnout—something many small, all-volunteer nonprofits face.

That said, your outpouring of care and support has made us pause. We're now slowing down this process to reassess what the future of the Foundation could look like, especially if new energy and fresh leadership come forward. Here’s What You Should Know Right Now:
  • We are still helping Campbell County residents with emergency vet care and will continue to do so until every dollar in our fund is used. This process may take several years.
  • We’re not actively hosting events or campaigns, but if you choose to give, please know your donations will go directly to helping local families pay for emergency veterinary care.
  • We will keep you updated quarterly on social media and our email so you can see exactly how these funds are being used.
But we can’t do this alone anymore. We need your help. Over the last few years, we've put out multiple calls for new volunteers and board members. Sadly, we've had little response. The truth is, we must have new people step in if this work is going to continue. We’re asking again—more sincerely than ever—for compassionate, committed people to raise their hands and join us.

Here's how you can get involved:
  • Take Applications: Help families in crisis navigate emergency vet care with kindness and confidentiality.
  • Lead or Create Events: Bring your creativity and leadership to life by reviving old fundraisers or imagining new ones.
  • Volunteer at Events: Once we have event leadership in place, we’ll need extra hands to help make it all happen.
  • Join a Committee: Share your skills in marketing, fundraising, grant writing, or finance.
  • Write Grants: Help us access new funding streams to keep helping animals.
We also want to acknowledge something important: the decision to dissolve wasn’t taken lightly. It was the result of long discussions, countless hours of soul-searching, and deep emotional weight. Some of the feedback received was unexpectedly harsh. Please remember—we are just like you. We’re your neighbors, fellow pet lovers, and volunteers doing our best. Many of our board members have served for far longer than most nonprofit terms—two, six, even more than ten years. We hope you understand that this isn’t about giving up—it’s about making room for others to carry the mission forward.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, now is the time. Whether you have professional experience or simply a big heart for animals, we’d love to talk to you. Please fill out our volunteer application or email us at [email protected] to start a conversation. The future of Fur Kids Foundation truly depends on people like you. Let’s make sure that no pet goes without care when it’s needed most.

With heartfelt thanks,
Your Volunteer Board of Directors: Cody Friedlan, Mary Melaragno, Felicia Messimer-Shannon, and Robynn Nehl
Fur Kids Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides education and aid to promote the well-being of families with animals ​in Campbell County, Wyoming. 
Since September 2012
# OF FAMILIES HELPED
$ FUNDS GRANTED

We're here to help you and your pet. 

​All too often animals suffer needlessly because access to affordable veterinary care is out of reach for many pet owners. Fur Kids Foundation is here to help bridge that gap and offer financial assistance so pet owners can get their fur kids the medical care they need.
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If you live in Campbell County, Wyoming, and need help with emergency veterinary care for your pet, please reach out and send us a request for assistance.