We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Navarro. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

Years from now, when I am gone, I hope that people will remember me as being a fierce advocate for animals, all animals. That I used my voice to speak for those who are unheard or cannot speak for themselves. Being given this amazing opportunity to share my life with animals that escaped certain death in the fur trade, has been the greatest honor of my life thus far.

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 grew up on a thirty-acre horse farm in Western Pennsylvania and learned to appreciate and respect animals, both wild and domestic from a very early age. My surroundings and environment nurtured that love of nature and I was encouraged to explore the woods surrounding the farm and local parks.

Although life sent me in a different direction, away from animals, for years, it all came full circle when I found the opportunity to volunteer at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Animal Farm in Key West, Florida in 2017.

It is there that I met two foxes, Lana and Rocky, that would effectively change my perspective and purpose in life. After spending two years volunteering at the farm and spending most of that time learning about these elusive animals, I networked with fox rescues around the country and quickly realized the need for qualified facilities to be able to take in foxes that were being legally surrendered by fur farmers in the United States.

In March 2020 Pawsitive Beginnings was born and in May 2020 I welcomed two foxes. Shortly after in July 2020, the second two foxes arrived, then in 2021, two young foxes came. In 2022 I welcome another fox kit, Kai.

Many do not realize that fur farming is still very much alive and well in the United States. Sadly, the demand for real fur to be used in fashion is still prevalent.

Aside from running the day to day tasks at Pawsitive Beginnings, I also have a full-time job conducting eco tours in Key Largo, Florida where passengers are educated on the third largest barrier reef in the world. I also sits on the Board of Directors for another 501c3 animal welfare organization, River’s Wish Inc.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Running a non-profit organization is all about transparency. Pawsitive Beginnings is an open book when it comes to our donors. Nothing is ever held back and we do not participate in paywall services. Our Board of Directors believes that no donor should have to “pay extra” to find out what is going on behind the scenes at a federally recognized public charity.

I, personally, make it a point to answer almost all emails and social media messages if there is an important or relevant question as to what goes on at Pawsitive Beginnings.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

In March of 2020 when I decided to start Pawsitive Beginnings, the pandemic was hitting hard and parts of the country were shutting down. I was laid off from my position at work since all of the Florida Keys became closed off to tourists and non-residents. During that time, I received a call asking if I would be able to help provide permanent sanctuary to two foxes that were being surrendered by a fur farmer in the Midwest and I agreed.

Social media became my biggest source of funding during that time and with the help of family and friends from all over the world I was able to fully fund that first mission to bring those two foxes to safety.

Since then, we have gained a following of supporters from across the globe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pawsitivebeginnings.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsitive_beginnings_inc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pawsitivebeginningsrescue
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZPTKxNXsVi1EjOrO42zr1A

Image Credits
I own rights to all images provided