We were lucky to catch up with Juli Burnell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Juli, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
My defining moment in starting Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund was because of a sweet 5 month old rescue puppy that we named Ellie. Within days after adopting her, she was hospitalized at the local emergency hospital. Within 2 months it had happened twice more. It was eventually discovered that she had a rare congenital disease called Cilliary Dyskenesia (treatment was a Cystic Fibrosis protocol).
As I sat in ER waiting rooms and watched other families (who loved their pets as much as I loved Ellie ) leaving with their beloved family member still in pain–or worse, in a pine box–I knew something had to be done. No one should be forced to lose a family member simply because they can’t afford the needed treatment!
Animal lovers are the kindest people on the planet and I knew if there was a system in place, they’d help one another. And they do! Over 525 families helped at almost a million dollars in veterinary bills has been a win-win. People with the money to give feel great about saving pets and keeping families together. People who are helped are so grateful that their families are still whole. Oh, and veterinarians feel good because they’re able to do more of what they joined the profession for–save pets!
It was a reminder for me that at their core, most people are good and want to help one another. It also has reinforced the importance of the bond between people and their animals. Elderly folks, people with life-threatening conditions, kids with disabilities, folks struggling with mental health issues–the unconditional love of a pet transcends all challenges.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and your nonprofit to our readers?
Current estimates are that 500,000 pets per year are euthanized due to the inability to pay for the care needed for them when they become injured or ill.
Many of the pets we help are the only constant companion for their owners. These pets keep their owners physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy. Without their beloved fur babies these responsible pet owners’ lives would be gravely impacted.
No one should be forced to surrender or euthanize a member of their family due to inability to pay. In the last 8 years, Ellie’s Rainy Day Fund has spent almost $1,000,000 making sure that for 525 local families, that didn’t happen.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
We are definitely filling a need within our area with which no one else is assisting. People feel desperate at the prospect of losing someone they love. Two legged or four, those with whom we share our struggles and our victories are vital.
I believe my background as a psychologist has helped us to build communication that validates our recipients’ fears and struggles around securing care for their beloved pets. Responding to crisis is about supporting a pet guardian’s emotions as much as it is treating the animal.
Even in cases where we aren’t able to help directly, we provide suggestions for other avenues to pursue. We respond to every family with validation of their feelings and a genuine desire to help in whatever way we can.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
My deep feeling for pets and the people who love them. In my youth, I was in a place where it looked as if I was going to lose my cat because I couldn’t afford needed diagnostics. So I can empathize with people’s desperation and frustration.
I have also experienced the life-changing effects of having pets in my life. 30 years ago, I suffered a brain abscess that left me temporarily paralyzed. I came home from the hospital wanting to die. My cat “Bug” laid on me and purred all day, every day for a month. He helped me to know I still had something to live for.
My mother died with Alzheimer’s. Long after she stopped responding to any of us humans, she would come out of her stupor to pat her leg for my dog Scout to come over and snuggle her. Then once she died, my father lost his sense of purpose and sat in the dark in his living room all day. I tricked him into fostering my kitty Abercrombie. Our nightly phone conversations evolved from his one word responses to my questions, to his telling me long, animated stories about what the cat had done that day.
Do we need our pets? You bet we do! My believing that and passionately communicating it to donors, clients, partner vets (whomever) is the most important thing I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elliesrainydayfund.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliesrainydayfund
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ellies-rainy-day-fund-inc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt3lYI_WcFqqSlXe-_ip_pg
Image Credits
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