We were lucky to catch up with Joellyn Nusbaum recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Joellyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My parents were always giving back either in the community or through their church. When I was very young I would tag along with my mom to drive seniors to get groceries who were living in senior care centers. My mom not only provided a service to these senior ladies that couldn’t drive but also was an ear to listen to their stories and experiences. My parents now in their late 70’s and early 80’s are still helping an orphanage in Mexico by collecting used sewing machines to teach the kids a skill, or pots and pans for the orphanage. Locally they help directly with a few organizations monetarily. My parents taught us that when you give it not only helps the person but the return feeling you get of fulfillment can’t be bought with money.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve had a connection with animals my entire life and have always had multiple dogs in my home. Growing up in Phoenix, stray dogs were naturally drawn to me and I did everything I could to ensure their safety and well-being. My dedication to animal rescue work has continued since those early days. After living in the Prescott area from the mid 90’s as a part-time resident and full time since 2002, I began volunteering with  United Animal Friends in 2005. Working in all aspects of the organization, I have helped  United Animal Friends grow into one of the largest rescues in Yavapai County while extending its lifesaving efforts into New Mexico. I served on the board as Treasurer from 2008 to 2011, Vice President from 2011 to 2017, President from 2017 to 2020, and I’m now serving again as President. I work hands on with all aspects of the organization, including evaluating intake animals, facilitating adoptions, organizing fundraising events, directing social media efforts, property development and mentoring volunteers and fosters.

United Animal Friends started as a small grassroots organization and is now one of the biggest rescues in our county. I have volunteered for more than 18yrs and in just the past 3 yrs we have grown in leaps and bounds, more than I could have imagined. We have opened a thrift store and we are in the process of opening a spay/neuter mobile clinic. When an opportunity to expand our rescue becomes available I don’t shy away from the idea, I grab it and run with it!

My biggest achievements is having the vision to rehab an old ranch property into an animal shelter to house animals in need. We turned a barn that was built in the 1930’s that housed horses, into a cozy dog facility. We turned a guest house casita dwelling into a “cat”sita to house our cats for adoption. I did all this with the help of many volunteers but also on a shoe string budget. We are now saving more lives because of the hands on training and enrichment we can offer these animals. We have more volunteers than we have ever had in the history of  United Animal Friends. We rely on our volunteers but have one amazing full time employee that lives in site and a part time employee that assists her. We are a dedicated group of animal lovers that are passionate about saving animals in need.

Our goal is to open a modern shelter facility adjacent to our current property. We want a state of the art but still cozy and welcoming adoption center to house our rescues. With the help of the community and our volunteers I see that vision coming to life so we can save even more animals and find them loving forever homes.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I currently manage 276 volunteers, one full time employee and one part time employee. My advice is to truly get to know your volunteers or staff on a personal level, find out their strengths and weaknesses and direct them to where they are most needed and will succeed. Always be honest with your volunteers/staff in any situation but also be kind, treat people the way you would like to be treated. Most of all people want to be appreciated, they want to hear ‘thank you” and we value your time and effort, they want to feel needed. You don’t have to shower them with gifts (even though appreciation gifts are nice).

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

The VP of our rescue is also my best friend. I was volunteering with  United Animal Friends and my volunteer job was to promote the dogs at our local animal control. Jen and her husband were looking for a dog and met Olive at an adoption event and instantly fell in love with her. Olive was taken back to the shelter, Jen and Tim wanted to adopt her and ran to the shelter to meet her and bring her home. So Olive brought Jen to  United Animal Friends as our graphic designer and then she became a board member. Jen and I are on the same page and make a great team. I couldn’t be the President of this organization without Jen’s guidance and wisdom. We nicknamed her Zen Jen, she always comes to any situation with a cool head on her shoulders and talks us all off the ledge.  United Animal Friends wouldn’t be where it is today without Jen’s amazing talents.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unitedanimalfriends.org/
• Instagram: https://unitedanimalfriends.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitedanimalfriends/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/UAFaz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/UAFaz