I met Martha my first week at Homeward Pet when I was learning the ropes of the organization as the Volunteer Director. She was a new volunteer coming in to walk dogs after recently losing her best canine friend Rocky. Though not ready to adopt again, she felt helping the dogs at Homeward Pet would help her heal. She arrived with a smile on her face, ready to give each and every dog in the shelter her undivided attention. Seven years later she still walks dogs every Sunday.

She adopted a cat, Sammy, to join her two resident felines Morgan and Sara; and also adopted a special needs Chesapeake Bay named Rusty and Libby, a very lovable, active Pit Bull Terrier. While Sara and Rusty have since left her, her home is full of photo reminders of all her beloved companions past and present.

As an RSVP Real Estate Broker, Martha shares her love for the animals by donating 10% of her commissions to Homeward Pet. Her website proudly promotes her dedication to the animals with the Homeward Pet logo and her tag line ‘Everyone Needs a Home’.  www.homes4petlovers.com

When it was time for Homeward Pet to begin looking for a bigger building to allow room for growth, I presented Martha with the opportunity to join the Homeward Pet Board of Directors as our Real Estate representative helping in the search. Martha and I spent the first year researching whether to buy property or to lease. The second year was focused on touring any available building that might meet our needs. We quickly discovered that Homeward Pet was not properly categorized within the city and the zoning for an animal welfare organization didn’t exist. Martha spent hours working with the city, writing proposals and presenting to the council and planning commission – to change the zoning that would allow Homeward Pet to relocate within Woodinville. The end result is where we are today… a big, shiny new facility in an easy-to-find location.

Martha finished her term on the Board of Directors as the Board President, providing the board with a solid, professional leader, focusing on governance and fundraising. She was always available to discuss ideas and challenges related to running the organization.

In addition to walking and caring for Homeward Pet’s dogs, today Martha is a member of the Washington Federation of Animal Care & Control. She advocates for Homeward Pet with any animal related state legislation.

I asked Martha why she continues to give so much of herself to the animals. Her reply; “We have a responsibility as humans to care for all other beings in the world. This is my way of helping”.

Thank you Martha for being one of Homeward Pet’s biggest hero’s!

Terri Inglis
Executive Director
Homeward Pet Adoption Center