Hello {{first_name}},

When I was little, I told everyone I wanted to work with animals. I liked animals better than people. It took me a while to realize you have to work with the people before you can help the animals. But that feeling never went away.

I became a police officer first. Then a social worker. Both taught me something about crisis, about families, and about what happens when people run out of options. But animals kept pulling me back.

My first real step into animal welfare came at PetSmart Charities. Then a wildfire broke out in Northern Arizona, the largest in the state's history. They needed crates, leashes, bowls, anything, because animals were pouring out of the fire zone. Being a former police officer, I knew how to move fast. Everything arrived within 24 hours. They said, who are you? How did you do that? Come up here.

Within 24 hours of arriving, I was behind the fire lines pulling animals out myself.

[RESCUE TEAM PHOTO - Kerri during her years on the elite animal rescue team. Action or team shot. Real photograph.]

That put me on a path I never expected. I spent the next 10 years on one of the most elite animal rescue teams in the United States. Hurricane Katrina. The aftermath of 9-11. The largest pit bull fighting ring bust with the FBI. If animals were in danger, we were there.

After that, I started turning shelters around. Orlando. Chicago. Tucson. Australia. Mexico. Close to 28 years now of doing this work.

Then one day my recruiter asked where I wanted to go next. I said I want a place where I can make a real difference that has the mountains and the ocean. Two weeks later I ended up in Santa Barbara.

When I arrived at Santa Barbara Humane eight years ago, everything was still running on three-by-five index cards. This organization has been around since 1887. One of the oldest in the United States. But it was not where it needed to be. We were doing maybe 10 adoptions a month.

Today we have surpassed 2,000 adoptions for the year. We performed over 100,000 veterinary procedures for families last year. We run dog training classes, a pet food pantry, and a mobile veterinary clinic reaching communities that never had access before. And we are now building a brand new campus from the paws up.

Our philosophy has always been the same: how do we get to yes? How do we help you keep your pet healthy and in the home?

That focus on health is what led me to a partnership I am going to tell you more about in the next email. Something I have been recommending to our community and something I want you to know about too.

If you want to keep reading, there is an exclusive offer for this community coming in the next few emails. Not something I do often. It is there if you want it.

More in the next one. And thank you for being here.

P.S. "If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two." - Phil Pastoret