We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jordan/ The KG Covington/ Foundation. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jordan/ The KG below.
Jordan/ The KG, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
The KG Foundation is a 501 ©3 non-profit that assists local Metro Detroit animal shelters and rescues. Our family has been involved in the animal welfare community for well over 12 years. We started the KG Foundation in honor of my late fiancé, Kristopher Gorlitz, after he unexpectedly and tragically passed away in 2020. Our family knew we wanted to honor his light, love, and overall passion for rescuing dogs. Kris and I had always done an annual donation drive for the local shelters which quickly expanded over the years. What started as a pickup truck of donations assisting one local resource turned into a U-Haul truck full of goods helping several. Over a decade Kris and I along with the help of his family fostered hundreds of homeless dogs together, even a few cats/ kittens and bunnies found a soft spot to land with us. We didn’t have children, just our rescue dogs. Ironically enough, we were talking about creating a nonprofit to help our fellow animal welfare warriors before he passed but couldn’t land on a name for it. The foundation was in motion prior to Kris passing, but was named and found its momentum, really because of his passing. It’s now a way for us to honor our guy and simultaneously give back to the community. In addition, it provides a way for people who may have never got the pleasure of even knowing Kris, to come together and do something good, while honoring someone they love or who they may be missing. The idea is to take all that pain of loss and grief, and create something incredible and life changing with it. By Uniting as one, and using all of that love with no place to go to empower the change for someone who may not be able to help themself. Be the good.. Be the light.. Be the change.. and be the love – it’s a really beautiful thing!
Jordan/ The KG, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The KGF is a small, but mighty volunteer run organization. We have so many facets of our organization but our main three include our KGF Recovery homes, (foster homes for dogs) , “Fixing the Future” our very own spay/neuter initiative and within that our cat TNR (Trap Neuter Release) program. All of which I’d love to elaborate on!
The KG Recovery Homes – these are foster homes for homeless pets that may have been recently rescued or sitting in a shelter for a long time and need a chance at life. These foster-recovery homes allow dogs to be out of stressful shelter environments and in safe, loving, home environments where they can learn how to “house-dog.” Rescued animals can struggle adapting how to live in a home, when they never have before: whether they’ve grown up outside on the streets or spent a period of critical development time in the shelter- they often don’t know how to be the perfect pet until you teach them! While most are fast learners, traits like potty training, a structured routine, counter surfing, or for some dogs jumping up undesired areas like the kitchen counters were never taught. These are all traits that can make dogs less adoptable in the average adopter’s eyes. (I mean who wants their dog on their kitchen table, right?!) Our recovery homes allot dogs time, (positive reinforcement/ force free) training, and most importantly a loving home while waiting to get matched with their perfect adopters! Fostering is the most rewarding experience in the world in my opinion. When you get a dog who is completely physically/ mentally broken and with time and love to watch them blossom on their own accord. Rehabilitating from scared or nervous to social and happy, overall loving life dog- there’s just nothing like it!
In addition to helping with the constant overflow of homeless pets we’re aiming to stop the cycle of overpopulation… one animal at a time. The biggest and fastest growing program is definitely our “Fixing The Future” low-no cost spay and neuter program. This program assists with keeping beloved family pets in their homes, but due to life circumstances, their families may not be able to afford basic veterinary care. While assisting this gives the opportunity to help families who may not know or understand the care and needs that comes along with having a pet. “Fixing the Future” is a low/ no cost spay and neuter program for in need families. Life can be “ruff” and financial hardships cannot always be planned for. This program focuses primarily on Detroit families and the neighboring Metro Detroit area that need help with transportation, cost, education and or basic supplies pet supplies. The KGF has weekly appointments with partnered veterinary clinics that spay/ neuter, microchip, vaccinate and/or treat pets for any health issues they may be experiencing. Keeping loved pets in homes and out of overcrowded shelters. This program prevents future unwanted litters and saves lives. Since beginning this initiative November 2022, we have assisted with 175 owned dogs, and at around 300 cats primarily TNR since becoming certified.
I am incredibly proud of all the foundation has and will do. We keep a busy calendar attempting to keep up with the local need for help. Fundraising comes in all shapes and sizes which following our socials you can see we’re always working to procure funding to allow The KGF to continue spreading the good in the community. The KGF continues to annually host donation drives in honor of Kris’s heart dog- Paco in November/ December. The week of Christmas volunteers deliver carloads of donations to the animal shelters/ nursing homes/ adopted families. We recently expanded the program bi-annually adding a summer one too!
Keeping pets in homes and out of overcrowded shelters is always the goal. We offer low-cost 4 week long puppy, basic training classes to help pets of all ages learn new skills with their humans.
We also fund for KGF “Care Bears” in honor of mine and Kris’s dog- Yogi Bear: who we used to joke was the world’s most expensive dog, ever. He had every medical condition you could dream of and when we got him at 17/18 years old. We had no idea what we were signing up for. Emergencies happen- an owned dog breaks their leg, flips their stomach, has horrible allergy flare ups that their owner just can’t get ahold of. KGF “Care Bears’ ‘ are owned dogs whose parents need a little financial assistance or guidance in what to do. This is another part of one of our main goals, to increase owner retention.
Lastly- when funding allows we take in KGF Project Puppies. These are puppies who are usually severely special needs and need round the clock care as their survival depends on us. We will financially back these little guys for their entire lives if necessary, but the primary goal is to nurse them back to health and adopt them out through our partnered rescues.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Our KGF family grows daily! We have a lot of followers from word of mouth, social media, fundraising events, and animal lovers in general. We plan to do some phenomenal things in the next few years and invite anyone and everyone along for the ride!
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
We lean to the dogs for this. When we meet or rescue these dogs for the first time- you can always see the defeat ,worry and overall sadness in their eyes. We’ve pulled dogs out of some of the worst of the worst conditions. Within a few weeks their eyes are shining and full of life and love again. It’s like magic. If they can forgive the people who hurt them, then so can we. Dogs are such a great example to live in the moment and we try our best to follow their lead.
It has been anything but a smooth road getting to this point. There are days when I don’t feel like I’ve done enough. I know I’m not alone when I say that I put an insane amount of pressure on myself to honor Kris with the work we do. The “Kris way” is caring with a smile on your face, love in your heart, and compassion for what the day brings.
To wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Yes, we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us. Support comes to us in many ways, and we are so grateful for each of you. Everything you give allows us to help one more animal that day. We are overwhelmed with the number of animals in need right now. There isn’t a season of need – it’s an everyday calling. The rescue “glow-ups”, fur-ever home givers, donors, and our generous community honor Kris and propel us forward. Thank you for your support, light, and love. The KG Foundation has a lot in store for 2023 and the future. Visit our website and follow us on the socials.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thekgfoundation.org/
- Instagram: the_kg_foundation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekgfoundation/