December 5, 2025 • 17 mins
Some stories restore your faith in what a single person can spark. Meet Zoe Hewitt, a high school senior who turned a simple classroom idea into Kennel Kindness, a student-powered network that supports animal shelters with the exact supplies they need—blankets, toys, enrichment mats, and adoption kits—crafted on a shoestring and shipped where they’ll do the most good. One teacher’s Instagram post reached 10,000 people and took the project from Asheville roots to 11 states in days.
We talk about why fostering changes everything, especially after disaster. Following Hurricane Helene, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue lost its facility and leaned on over 200 active fosters to keep animals safe, healthy, and adoptable. Zoe, who interns at Brother Wolf and fosters herself, explains how home environments reveal the behaviors and routines that make adoptions stick. From frozen enrichment treats that calm anxious pups to weekly Adoption Wednesdays and Saturdays in West Asheville, the focus is on practical, repeatable steps that save lives right now.
Zoe shares how the Riley’s Way Foundation helped her scale with the Kinder World for Animals Award, and what comes next: filing for 501(c)(3) status, recruiting student volunteers, and launching a website to coordinate nationwide efforts. The playbook is refreshingly simple—use affordable materials like fleece, organize student clubs, tell a clear story, and let the community run with it. Along the way, we spotlight the Hometown Hero spirit that makes our region special and the everyday leadership that keeps shelters moving forward.
Want to help? Foster, donate fleece, share their Instagram, or start a Kennel Kindness club at your school. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves animals—then tell us the first small step you’ll take today.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_02 (00:00):
The George Real Estate Group Radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHKP.com.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 8.45, theGeorge Real Estate Group
presents the Hometown Hero Awardto someone in our community who
goes above and beyond to makeour hometown a better place to
live.
Here's this week's Hometown HeroShow.
It's 845 on Friday mornings, andthat's always our chance to
(00:48):
gather around the microphonesand uh honor our George Real
Estate Group Hometown Hero.
And uh Noah always joins me forthis because he likes it as much
as I do.
SPEAKER_01 (01:00):
It's the highlight of the week for sure, and it's
an honor and privilege tosponsor the Hometown Hero series
here on WHKP.
How are you doing?
Well, happy Friday.
Happy Friday, yeah.
So much to be thankful for anddoing well.
I mean, the the market continuesto move here.
You know, that's theconversation was around the
Thanksgiving table.
People are like, what'shappening with the real estate
(01:22):
market?
But I can assure you the themarket's still strong.
In fact, we've had a 10%increase in Henderson County
with the number of homes sellingthe current 12 months versus the
previous 12 months.
So, you know, if there'sconcern, I mean you might see
homes are sitting on the marketa little bit longer, uh-huh,
prices are softening just alittle bit, but but the demand
(01:42):
has actually increased uh forour area.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
That uh that just speaks volumes about uh
Henderson County, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
Absolutely, and and we're grateful.
I mean, amazing, uh certainlyworking with uh so many of our
wonderful natives.
I we talk all the time, andpeople have been here two and
three and four generations, andof course, yeah, the families
that have discovered you knowHendersonville and Henderson
County, and they they they theysay they try to get here as
quick as they can.
Um whether it's uh they'reretiring here or whether they're
(02:14):
uh you know relocating here fora job.
I mean, people certainly Iremember back to COVID where the
the conversation was move yourdreams forward, don't wait.
Uh don't wait to move to whereyou want to live.
Don't wait, don't wait to livewhere you want to retire.
Go ahead and and get to whereyou want to go.
SPEAKER_02 (02:31):
Well, you're on the front line of that, and and uh I
think uh that's one of thereasons that you're involved in
our hometown hero show is isknowing and recognizing there
are heroes amongst us here.
SPEAKER_01 (02:43):
Every day, and again, the it's amazing.
Our community is what it isbecause of the the men and women
that live here and work here andand and go to school here and
and people that want to make ourplace uh better, and that's it's
contagious, and we lovechampioning that.
We love sharing the stories ofuh amazing stories, and you and
I get the privilege of havingthese conversations every Friday
(03:04):
morning.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
We sure do.
And uh and a heads up, coming upon Christmas Day, we will uh
recap our top 10 uh podcasts, uhour top 10 hometown heroes, and
then we'll repeat that on Fridaymorning, the day after
Christmas, and we're gonnaexpand it up to 30 minutes this
year.
We've we've always tried toscrunch that into 15, and it
(03:26):
didn't work.
So uh we're gonna be uh lettingyou know more about the most
popular guests that we've hadduring 2025.
I got a sneaking suspicion thatI'm gonna have to redo my list
after this morning.
After this morning.
Zoe Hewitt is here, and uh goodmorning to Zoe Hewitt.
SPEAKER_00 (03:46):
Good morning, and thank you so much for having me
here today.
I'm happy to be here.
SPEAKER_02 (03:49):
It is a real pleasure to meet you and and to
have you here with us.
Uh Zoe is the creator of KennelKindness, and uh one of your
teachers at at uh Carolina DaySchool nominated you, and uh she
saw that you s stood out in thein the crowd there at the uh at
(04:10):
Carolina Day for uh being socompassionate toward animals.
And uh just tell us uh how thisuh Kennel Kindness was formed
and how you got going with it.
SPEAKER_00 (04:22):
Yes, so I'm a senior in high school, and in 2024 I
founded this nonprofit, um, andwe work with different students
and different teachers um acrossthe nation to um give back to
animal shelters in need.
So, with that, we students makedog treats, toys, blankets, and
adoption kits, um, and we donatethem to different animal
shelters.
And I have always had a love foranimals, and I just knew I
(04:44):
wanted to give this back to mycommunity and started it with
just Asheville and then has nowa cross, and we are in 11 states
now.
SPEAKER_01 (04:50):
That's incredible, Noah.
Remarkable.
Uh where did you where did thisidea first come from?
SPEAKER_00 (04:56):
Yeah, so I had brainstormed with another
nonprofit.
I work for Horizons at CarolinaDay School, and I was asked to
make a project that would befunded by the Riley's Way
Foundation.
And I took about a month ofbrainstorming and coming up with
what I wanted to do, and in theend I knew animals have had such
an impact on my life, and I havesuch a love for them that I had
(05:16):
to do something for animals.
SPEAKER_01 (05:18):
So in 2024, you started it locally.
Correct.
Where did you get the vision tolet's go bigger?
SPEAKER_00 (05:25):
Yeah, it sort of all kind of fell into place.
I reached out to a teacher inDelaware who uses um, she has
foster puppies in her classroom,and I offered to send her a kit
with blankets and toys, and thenactually from there she did an
Instagram post um and itoutreached and reached 10,000
people.
Um, and from there, within thematter of days, we were in 11
(05:47):
states.
SPEAKER_02 (05:47):
Wow.
You work with uh Brother WolfAnimal Rescue here locally,
right?
SPEAKER_00 (05:53):
Yes, so I'm the program intern at Brother Wolf
Animal Rescue as well as afoster parent, um, and then I'm
also a foster parent at BlueRidge Humane Society and
Asheville Humane.
SPEAKER_02 (06:02):
Well, you you've put in a lot of time uh in this
since 2024, and that's uh andthe the fruits of your labor are
evident, as you say, in 11states.
Uh you've you've really worked ahard job here getting this
launched and going.
SPEAKER_00 (06:17):
Yeah, I really enjoy it.
It's been the highlight ofdefinitely my high school
career, and I'm excited tocontinue it on as I move into
college.
SPEAKER_02 (06:23):
So uh there at Carolina Today, you your
classmates, they all jump in andand are creating toys and treats
and things for uh for the localanimals.
SPEAKER_00 (06:34):
Yeah, correct.
So we started a Kennel KindnessProject Club at CDS, um, and we
meet just about once a week, andstudents make blankets, toys.
They help me um prep materialsfor our other little events that
we do um throughout the city.
SPEAKER_02 (06:48):
And you got noticed uh by uh uh WLOS TV recently.
Correct.
SPEAKER_00 (06:55):
Yes, so we worked um over the past summer we worked
with Horizons at Carolina DaySchool, and we were lucky to
have them come in um in July andfeature um the project and the
students that work with theproject at Horizons.
SPEAKER_02 (07:07):
And uh LOS came and did a story on you on that,
right?
SPEAKER_00 (07:10):
Correct, yes, and we were lucky to have um we had
some cute little puppies come intoo that got to play with the
students, which was really fun.
SPEAKER_02 (07:16):
Okay, well, how many uh how many pets do you
personally have?
SPEAKER_00 (07:20):
I too many.
I owned ten pets of my own, andthen over the past two years we
have fostered fifty-fiveanimals.
SPEAKER_02 (07:27):
My God.
SPEAKER_00 (07:28):
It is a lot.
SPEAKER_02 (07:29):
Mom's over there just going, woo!
unknown (07:32):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (07:33):
Tell tell us if you're sharing uh since we're
speaking to our community here,yes, share with the community
the importance of fosteringanimals.
SPEAKER_00 (07:42):
It really does make make an impact, and I saw that
when after Hurricane Helene, um,when Brother Wolf was so they
were so devastated, um, I sawthe impact of kind of how
quickly our community was ableto come together and really help
Brother Wolf Animal Rescuerebuild and save all those
animals' lives, and we were ableto get everybody evacuated.
Um and since then, as I've beena part of Brother Wolf's animal
(08:03):
um like growth and journey astheir intern, I have seen just
how important it is to haveanimals fostering because we get
to see and learn so much aboutthem that we wouldn't be able to
learn in a shelter setting.
SPEAKER_02 (08:14):
So Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, for those who
don't know, uh was totallydevastated.
I mean, they were wiped off themap.
And where where are they wherewere they located?
SPEAKER_00 (08:24):
So they were in um Biltmore Village.
SPEAKER_02 (08:26):
Um yeah, Biltmore Village got hit hard, yeah.
Yes.
And so uh are they open in a newfacility now?
SPEAKER_00 (08:33):
Yes, so we are in the process right now of
actively searching for land torebuild a new shelter of our
own.
Okay.
Um currently we're kind of goingin between some temporary
spaces, um, but as of right now,the ASPCA was willing to kind of
give us a part of their buildingto use.
Um, and then we are an entirelyfoster-based organization right
now.
So we have over 200 activefosters.
(08:54):
Um, I think we have about 60animals in our care right now,
the from different shelter polesor anything like that, um, that
we are able to continue to savelives.
SPEAKER_02 (09:02):
But uh over 200 fosters.
So back to your question,though, how important fostering
animals is such a need.
SPEAKER_00 (09:09):
It really is, it really is.
And we are able to kind of take,once we have these fosters
available, we're able to takeanimals out of more crowded
shelters that don't have thespace and they have to make the
tough choice to euthanize.
We are able to take thoseanimals in and help out
personally.
SPEAKER_02 (09:22):
Yeah.
So you you say you uh that youand your classmates and friends
uh make treats.
What what uh what do you make?
What uh kind of and you're I betyou're always looking for dog
toys too, all right?
I am, yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:36):
So we are always actively seeking donations, but
we figured out a way to makethis um to make the project as
low cost as possible.
So our biggest material that weuse is fleece, and we are able
to use that to make tie blanketsas well as our toys, um, and
actually as well as our littleenrichment mats that we make to
provide enrichment to thedifferent animals.
Um but with the treats, we havesome sort of some different ones
(09:57):
that we were able to do withadopters.
Um, we do more of the ones thatare gonna be shelf stable and
that are gonna stay for longer.
And for our shelters, we do alot of frozen treats for some
frozen enrichment, so it'll takethe animals longer to go
through.
SPEAKER_02 (10:09):
Yeah.
What's your uh best story aboutan adoption or yeah, my favorite
one was actually one of ourfoster animals that we had.
SPEAKER_00 (10:21):
Um, it was a rabbit, and her name was Tango, and she
took just a very, very long timeto get adopted.
Um she just wasn't it just tooka long time for her to get
adopted.
It just wasn't nobody was reallylooking for a rabbit at that
point.
Um, but when she got adopted, Isaw Brother Wolf get so excited.
They were the it was the onlyrabbit in their care.
She had been in their care for awhile, and it was just so
amazing to see kind of everybodyrebuild and go together.
(10:44):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (10:45):
Do you keep in touch with uh new foster parents?
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Yeah, I stay pretty intact um with the different
foster parents.
We have I've had a few adoptersreach out to me since, um, but
it's just amazing to see themwhen I go to our adoption
Saturdays to meet the all, um,meet the adopters and kind of
see that the animal's going intoa loving home.
SPEAKER_02 (11:03):
Adoption Saturdays.
SPEAKER_00 (11:05):
Correct.
So we do adoption um Wednesdaysand Saturdays.
Um, so we have all of theanimals that are available for
adoption at our building at theASPCA in West Asheville, and
they are able to come in, meetthe animals just like we would
in a shelter setting.
SPEAKER_02 (11:19):
Yeah.
Noah, uh, this is amazing.
SPEAKER_01 (11:22):
It's remarkable.
Uh can you share again theconnection with Riley's Way
Foundation and and the supportfor Kennel Kindness Project?
SPEAKER_00 (11:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
So in 2024, I was um happy toreceive the Um Kinder World for
Animals Award, which is a partof the Call for Kindness
Fellowship.
Um so through that, Riley's WayFoundation Foundation invests in
the next generation of youngleaders.
So they give out a certainamount of grant money to um
young leaders to impact theirsocial impact projects.
(11:50):
Um and over the past few years,they have invested in over 3,500
young leaders.
SPEAKER_01 (11:56):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (11:58):
So coming up uh next for you, you're a senior in high
school.
So uh your college is in isright around the corner.
SPEAKER_00 (12:07):
Correct.
I'm looking, I'm hoping to majorin elementary education.
Um, and with that, I've done alot of different research
projects and ways to figure outhow I can continue the Kennel
Kindness project into a futureclassroom.
SPEAKER_01 (12:17):
Wow.
Yeah, what is the vision longterm for Kennel Kindness?
SPEAKER_00 (12:21):
Yes.
So my vision is we're activelyum recruiting more volunteers,
and it's been really nice tohave the students at CDS really
kind of step up and help me withthat because I know that when
I'm in college, I'm not gonna beable to have as an active role
as I am here now.
Um, so they've been able to kindof help me and do that part, and
we are just sort of planning forthe future actively.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
Is it an unofficial or an official 501c3?
SPEAKER_00 (12:45):
So we just filed actually for the 501c3.
We're waiting to hear back fromthe IRS.
But we are an official nonprofitthrough the state of North
Carolina.
SPEAKER_01 (12:52):
But you're working, you just filed.
That's amazing.
Thank you.
And that's gonna open up so manydoors and opportunities for
people to give.
SPEAKER_00 (12:59):
Yes, we're very excited.
SPEAKER_02 (13:01):
Well, speaking of giving, uh Zoe, if you can let
us know all of the differentways that we can reach out to
you.
SPEAKER_00 (13:09):
Yes.
Um, so our biggest platform thatwe are using right now is
Instagram.
So it's at Kennel KindnessProject.
Um, and we post there prettyfrequently, and we're actually
actively seeking and working onlaunching a website, hopefully
by the end of 2025, which we'revery excited about.
Um, but then also another way toreach out is through email,
which is Kennelkindnessprojectat gmail.com.
(13:29):
So, yeah, those are our two bigways for now.
SPEAKER_02 (13:31):
And you can uh get a phone call at 919-452-6929.
Yeah.
Well, gosh, I I'm just soimpressed and uh just so
thankful that your teacher uhreached out and let us know
about this great project ofyours, and we just say a small
thank you with a uh acertificate that Noah has for
(13:52):
you there.
SPEAKER_00 (13:53):
Oh, thank you so much.
I really appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02 (13:56):
Yeah, you're so welcome.
And there's uh a couple of freemeals around town.
So amazing.
We hope to drag you back over toHendersonville, son.
SPEAKER_00 (14:04):
Absolutely.
This was incredible.
I really appreciate it.
SPEAKER_01 (14:07):
Well, what would you say to a young person that has a
vision like yours to to to dosomething like this?
Maybe I mean whatever it mightbe.
SPEAKER_00 (14:14):
My biggest advice is just to go for it.
When I was in the beginning, Iwas so scared of my biggest
question was like, what is thisgonna look like?
What is this gonna how is thisgonna have an impact?
How can I guarantee that I canmake an impact?
And the biggest way was just tostart with it and kind of roll
with it and let it flow and seeit happen because everything
will naturally fall into place.
SPEAKER_01 (14:33):
Just take action.
SPEAKER_00 (14:34):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_02 (14:35):
It's it's remarkable.
Well, Noah uh is another amazingshow here today, and uh you uh
are so kind to sponsor thisshow, remind us of the George
Real Estate Group and what youare into in our community.
SPEAKER_01 (14:50):
Well, and again, congratulations, though.
And again, we're thankful foreverything you do for our
community and and for theanimals, and it's it's amazing.
So it's an honor and privilegeto have you here this morning
and to sponsor the Hometown HeroSeries.
Of course, we love serving ourcommunity through real estate.
You can give us a call at828-393-0134.
Find us, find us online atrealestatebygreg.com uh and
(15:13):
follow us on social media,Facebook and Instagram.
SPEAKER_02 (15:15):
That's right.
If you'd learn uh heard some ofuh Zoe's talk this morning about
Kendall Kindness and and need togo back, uh we'll be podcasting
this 10 minutes after uh 9o'clock this morning on all of
the places that you get yourpodcasts.
And we invite you to join usevery Friday morning at 8 45 for
the George Real Estate GroupHometown Hero Series here on
(15:38):
WHKP.
SPEAKER_01 (15:40):
You've built a lifetime of strength, wisdom,
and independence.
And here's the best part youstill have it.
Every decision, every step,every next chapter is yours to
choose.
Selling your home isn't aboutletting go, it's about opening
the door to more freedom, moretime for what you love, more
(16:02):
energy for the people andpassions that matter most.
At the George Real Estate Group,we believe independence isn't
behind you.
It's right here, right now.
Our team goes beyond buying andselling.
We're here to help you protectyour wealth, preserve your
legacy, and make sure Uncle Samdoesn't become your biggest
(16:23):
benefactor.
We'll guide you every step ofthe way towards your next
chapter, your next opportunity,and your freedom on your terms.
Call us at 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com.
SPEAKER_02 (16:40):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, North Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygreg.com.
The George Real Estate Group canbe reached at 828-3930134 or
stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, Flat Rock,
(17:01):
North Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 1005 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 A.M.
or stream online at WHKP.com ordownload these podcasts wherever
you get your podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
(17:25):
Hero Series every Friday morningat 8 45.
The George Real Estate Group Radio broadcast is
celebrating 10 years on WHKP.
The George Real Estate Group iscelebrating 10 years on the
radio live every Thursdaymorning at 10.05 on WHKP 107.7
FM and AM 1450, and streamingonline at WHKP.com.
(00:24):
Each Friday morning at 8.45, theGeorge Real Estate Group
presents the Hometown Hero Awardto someone in our community who
goes above and beyond to makeour hometown a better place to
live.
Here's this week's Hometown HeroShow.
It's 845 on Friday mornings, andthat's always our chance to
(00:48):
gather around the microphonesand uh honor our George Real
Estate Group Hometown Hero.
And uh Noah always joins me forthis because he likes it as much
as I do.
SPEAKER_01 (01:00):
It's the highlight of the week for sure, and it's
an honor and privilege tosponsor the Hometown Hero series
here on WHKP.
How are you doing?
Well, happy Friday.
Happy Friday, yeah.
So much to be thankful for anddoing well.
I mean, the the market continuesto move here.
You know, that's theconversation was around the
Thanksgiving table.
People are like, what'shappening with the real estate
(01:22):
market?
But I can assure you the themarket's still strong.
In fact, we've had a 10%increase in Henderson County
with the number of homes sellingthe current 12 months versus the
previous 12 months.
So, you know, if there'sconcern, I mean you might see
homes are sitting on the marketa little bit longer, uh-huh,
prices are softening just alittle bit, but but the demand
(01:42):
has actually increased uh forour area.
SPEAKER_02 (01:46):
That uh that just speaks volumes about uh
Henderson County, doesn't it?
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
Absolutely, and and we're grateful.
I mean, amazing, uh certainlyworking with uh so many of our
wonderful natives.
I we talk all the time, andpeople have been here two and
three and four generations, andof course, yeah, the families
that have discovered you knowHendersonville and Henderson
County, and they they they theysay they try to get here as
quick as they can.
Um whether it's uh they'reretiring here or whether they're
(02:14):
uh you know relocating here fora job.
I mean, people certainly Iremember back to COVID where the
the conversation was move yourdreams forward, don't wait.
Uh don't wait to move to whereyou want to live.
Don't wait, don't wait to livewhere you want to retire.
Go ahead and and get to whereyou want to go.
SPEAKER_02 (02:31):
Well, you're on the front line of that, and and uh I
think uh that's one of thereasons that you're involved in
our hometown hero show is isknowing and recognizing there
are heroes amongst us here.
SPEAKER_01 (02:43):
Every day, and again, the it's amazing.
Our community is what it isbecause of the the men and women
that live here and work here andand and go to school here and
and people that want to make ourplace uh better, and that's it's
contagious, and we lovechampioning that.
We love sharing the stories ofuh amazing stories, and you and
I get the privilege of havingthese conversations every Friday
(03:04):
morning.
SPEAKER_02 (03:04):
We sure do.
And uh and a heads up, coming upon Christmas Day, we will uh
recap our top 10 uh podcasts, uhour top 10 hometown heroes, and
then we'll repeat that on Fridaymorning, the day after
Christmas, and we're gonnaexpand it up to 30 minutes this
year.
We've we've always tried toscrunch that into 15, and it
(03:26):
didn't work.
So uh we're gonna be uh lettingyou know more about the most
popular guests that we've hadduring 2025.
I got a sneaking suspicion thatI'm gonna have to redo my list
after this morning.
After this morning.
Zoe Hewitt is here, and uh goodmorning to Zoe Hewitt.
SPEAKER_00 (03:46):
Good morning, and thank you so much for having me
here today.
I'm happy to be here.
SPEAKER_02 (03:49):
It is a real pleasure to meet you and and to
have you here with us.
Uh Zoe is the creator of KennelKindness, and uh one of your
teachers at at uh Carolina DaySchool nominated you, and uh she
saw that you s stood out in thein the crowd there at the uh at
(04:10):
Carolina Day for uh being socompassionate toward animals.
And uh just tell us uh how thisuh Kennel Kindness was formed
and how you got going with it.
SPEAKER_00 (04:22):
Yes, so I'm a senior in high school, and in 2024 I
founded this nonprofit, um, andwe work with different students
and different teachers um acrossthe nation to um give back to
animal shelters in need.
So, with that, we students makedog treats, toys, blankets, and
adoption kits, um, and we donatethem to different animal
shelters.
And I have always had a love foranimals, and I just knew I
(04:44):
wanted to give this back to mycommunity and started it with
just Asheville and then has nowa cross, and we are in 11 states
now.
SPEAKER_01 (04:50):
That's incredible, Noah.
Remarkable.
Uh where did you where did thisidea first come from?
SPEAKER_00 (04:56):
Yeah, so I had brainstormed with another
nonprofit.
I work for Horizons at CarolinaDay School, and I was asked to
make a project that would befunded by the Riley's Way
Foundation.
And I took about a month ofbrainstorming and coming up with
what I wanted to do, and in theend I knew animals have had such
an impact on my life, and I havesuch a love for them that I had
(05:16):
to do something for animals.
SPEAKER_01 (05:18):
So in 2024, you started it locally.
Correct.
Where did you get the vision tolet's go bigger?
SPEAKER_00 (05:25):
Yeah, it sort of all kind of fell into place.
I reached out to a teacher inDelaware who uses um, she has
foster puppies in her classroom,and I offered to send her a kit
with blankets and toys, and thenactually from there she did an
Instagram post um and itoutreached and reached 10,000
people.
Um, and from there, within thematter of days, we were in 11
(05:47):
states.
SPEAKER_02 (05:47):
Wow.
You work with uh Brother WolfAnimal Rescue here locally,
right?
SPEAKER_00 (05:53):
Yes, so I'm the program intern at Brother Wolf
Animal Rescue as well as afoster parent, um, and then I'm
also a foster parent at BlueRidge Humane Society and
Asheville Humane.
SPEAKER_02 (06:02):
Well, you you've put in a lot of time uh in this
since 2024, and that's uh andthe the fruits of your labor are
evident, as you say, in 11states.
Uh you've you've really worked ahard job here getting this
launched and going.
SPEAKER_00 (06:17):
Yeah, I really enjoy it.
It's been the highlight ofdefinitely my high school
career, and I'm excited tocontinue it on as I move into
college.
SPEAKER_02 (06:23):
So uh there at Carolina Today, you your
classmates, they all jump in andand are creating toys and treats
and things for uh for the localanimals.
SPEAKER_00 (06:34):
Yeah, correct.
So we started a Kennel KindnessProject Club at CDS, um, and we
meet just about once a week, andstudents make blankets, toys.
They help me um prep materialsfor our other little events that
we do um throughout the city.
SPEAKER_02 (06:48):
And you got noticed uh by uh uh WLOS TV recently.
Correct.
SPEAKER_00 (06:55):
Yes, so we worked um over the past summer we worked
with Horizons at Carolina DaySchool, and we were lucky to
have them come in um in July andfeature um the project and the
students that work with theproject at Horizons.
SPEAKER_02 (07:07):
And uh LOS came and did a story on you on that,
right?
SPEAKER_00 (07:10):
Correct, yes, and we were lucky to have um we had
some cute little puppies come intoo that got to play with the
students, which was really fun.
SPEAKER_02 (07:16):
Okay, well, how many uh how many pets do you
personally have?
SPEAKER_00 (07:20):
I too many.
I owned ten pets of my own, andthen over the past two years we
have fostered fifty-fiveanimals.
SPEAKER_02 (07:27):
My God.
SPEAKER_00 (07:28):
It is a lot.
SPEAKER_02 (07:29):
Mom's over there just going, woo!
unknown (07:32):
Yes.
SPEAKER_01 (07:33):
Tell tell us if you're sharing uh since we're
speaking to our community here,yes, share with the community
the importance of fosteringanimals.
SPEAKER_00 (07:42):
It really does make make an impact, and I saw that
when after Hurricane Helene, um,when Brother Wolf was so they
were so devastated, um, I sawthe impact of kind of how
quickly our community was ableto come together and really help
Brother Wolf Animal Rescuerebuild and save all those
animals' lives, and we were ableto get everybody evacuated.
Um and since then, as I've beena part of Brother Wolf's animal
(08:03):
um like growth and journey astheir intern, I have seen just
how important it is to haveanimals fostering because we get
to see and learn so much aboutthem that we wouldn't be able to
learn in a shelter setting.
SPEAKER_02 (08:14):
So Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, for those who
don't know, uh was totallydevastated.
I mean, they were wiped off themap.
And where where are they wherewere they located?
SPEAKER_00 (08:24):
So they were in um Biltmore Village.
SPEAKER_02 (08:26):
Um yeah, Biltmore Village got hit hard, yeah.
Yes.
And so uh are they open in a newfacility now?
SPEAKER_00 (08:33):
Yes, so we are in the process right now of
actively searching for land torebuild a new shelter of our
own.
Okay.
Um currently we're kind of goingin between some temporary
spaces, um, but as of right now,the ASPCA was willing to kind of
give us a part of their buildingto use.
Um, and then we are an entirelyfoster-based organization right
now.
So we have over 200 activefosters.
(08:54):
Um, I think we have about 60animals in our care right now,
the from different shelter polesor anything like that, um, that
we are able to continue to savelives.
SPEAKER_02 (09:02):
But uh over 200 fosters.
So back to your question,though, how important fostering
animals is such a need.
SPEAKER_00 (09:09):
It really is, it really is.
And we are able to kind of take,once we have these fosters
available, we're able to takeanimals out of more crowded
shelters that don't have thespace and they have to make the
tough choice to euthanize.
We are able to take thoseanimals in and help out
personally.
SPEAKER_02 (09:22):
Yeah.
So you you say you uh that youand your classmates and friends
uh make treats.
What what uh what do you make?
What uh kind of and you're I betyou're always looking for dog
toys too, all right?
I am, yes.
SPEAKER_00 (09:36):
So we are always actively seeking donations, but
we figured out a way to makethis um to make the project as
low cost as possible.
So our biggest material that weuse is fleece, and we are able
to use that to make tie blanketsas well as our toys, um, and
actually as well as our littleenrichment mats that we make to
provide enrichment to thedifferent animals.
Um but with the treats, we havesome sort of some different ones
(09:57):
that we were able to do withadopters.
Um, we do more of the ones thatare gonna be shelf stable and
that are gonna stay for longer.
And for our shelters, we do alot of frozen treats for some
frozen enrichment, so it'll takethe animals longer to go
through.
SPEAKER_02 (10:09):
Yeah.
What's your uh best story aboutan adoption or yeah, my favorite
one was actually one of ourfoster animals that we had.
SPEAKER_00 (10:21):
Um, it was a rabbit, and her name was Tango, and she
took just a very, very long timeto get adopted.
Um she just wasn't it just tooka long time for her to get
adopted.
It just wasn't nobody was reallylooking for a rabbit at that
point.
Um, but when she got adopted, Isaw Brother Wolf get so excited.
They were the it was the onlyrabbit in their care.
She had been in their care for awhile, and it was just so
amazing to see kind of everybodyrebuild and go together.
(10:44):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (10:45):
Do you keep in touch with uh new foster parents?
SPEAKER_00 (10:49):
Yeah, I stay pretty intact um with the different
foster parents.
We have I've had a few adoptersreach out to me since, um, but
it's just amazing to see themwhen I go to our adoption
Saturdays to meet the all, um,meet the adopters and kind of
see that the animal's going intoa loving home.
SPEAKER_02 (11:03):
Adoption Saturdays.
SPEAKER_00 (11:05):
Correct.
So we do adoption um Wednesdaysand Saturdays.
Um, so we have all of theanimals that are available for
adoption at our building at theASPCA in West Asheville, and
they are able to come in, meetthe animals just like we would
in a shelter setting.
SPEAKER_02 (11:19):
Yeah.
Noah, uh, this is amazing.
SPEAKER_01 (11:22):
It's remarkable.
Uh can you share again theconnection with Riley's Way
Foundation and and the supportfor Kennel Kindness Project?
SPEAKER_00 (11:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
So in 2024, I was um happy toreceive the Um Kinder World for
Animals Award, which is a partof the Call for Kindness
Fellowship.
Um so through that, Riley's WayFoundation Foundation invests in
the next generation of youngleaders.
So they give out a certainamount of grant money to um
young leaders to impact theirsocial impact projects.
(11:50):
Um and over the past few years,they have invested in over 3,500
young leaders.
SPEAKER_01 (11:56):
Wow.
SPEAKER_02 (11:58):
So coming up uh next for you, you're a senior in high
school.
So uh your college is in isright around the corner.
SPEAKER_00 (12:07):
Correct.
I'm looking, I'm hoping to majorin elementary education.
Um, and with that, I've done alot of different research
projects and ways to figure outhow I can continue the Kennel
Kindness project into a futureclassroom.
SPEAKER_01 (12:17):
Wow.
Yeah, what is the vision longterm for Kennel Kindness?
SPEAKER_00 (12:21):
Yes.
So my vision is we're activelyum recruiting more volunteers,
and it's been really nice tohave the students at CDS really
kind of step up and help me withthat because I know that when
I'm in college, I'm not gonna beable to have as an active role
as I am here now.
Um, so they've been able to kindof help me and do that part, and
we are just sort of planning forthe future actively.
SPEAKER_01 (12:40):
Is it an unofficial or an official 501c3?
SPEAKER_00 (12:45):
So we just filed actually for the 501c3.
We're waiting to hear back fromthe IRS.
But we are an official nonprofitthrough the state of North
Carolina.
SPEAKER_01 (12:52):
But you're working, you just filed.
That's amazing.
Thank you.
And that's gonna open up so manydoors and opportunities for
people to give.
SPEAKER_00 (12:59):
Yes, we're very excited.
SPEAKER_02 (13:01):
Well, speaking of giving, uh Zoe, if you can let
us know all of the differentways that we can reach out to
you.
SPEAKER_00 (13:09):
Yes.
Um, so our biggest platform thatwe are using right now is
Instagram.
So it's at Kennel KindnessProject.
Um, and we post there prettyfrequently, and we're actually
actively seeking and working onlaunching a website, hopefully
by the end of 2025, which we'revery excited about.
Um, but then also another way toreach out is through email,
which is Kennelkindnessprojectat gmail.com.
(13:29):
So, yeah, those are our two bigways for now.
SPEAKER_02 (13:31):
And you can uh get a phone call at 919-452-6929.
Yeah.
Well, gosh, I I'm just soimpressed and uh just so
thankful that your teacher uhreached out and let us know
about this great project ofyours, and we just say a small
thank you with a uh acertificate that Noah has for
(13:52):
you there.
SPEAKER_00 (13:53):
Oh, thank you so much.
I really appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02 (13:56):
Yeah, you're so welcome.
And there's uh a couple of freemeals around town.
So amazing.
We hope to drag you back over toHendersonville, son.
SPEAKER_00 (14:04):
Absolutely.
This was incredible.
I really appreciate it.
SPEAKER_01 (14:07):
Well, what would you say to a young person that has a
vision like yours to to to dosomething like this?
Maybe I mean whatever it mightbe.
SPEAKER_00 (14:14):
My biggest advice is just to go for it.
When I was in the beginning, Iwas so scared of my biggest
question was like, what is thisgonna look like?
What is this gonna how is thisgonna have an impact?
How can I guarantee that I canmake an impact?
And the biggest way was just tostart with it and kind of roll
with it and let it flow and seeit happen because everything
will naturally fall into place.
SPEAKER_01 (14:33):
Just take action.
SPEAKER_00 (14:34):
Exactly.
SPEAKER_02 (14:35):
It's it's remarkable.
Well, Noah uh is another amazingshow here today, and uh you uh
are so kind to sponsor thisshow, remind us of the George
Real Estate Group and what youare into in our community.
SPEAKER_01 (14:50):
Well, and again, congratulations, though.
And again, we're thankful foreverything you do for our
community and and for theanimals, and it's it's amazing.
So it's an honor and privilegeto have you here this morning
and to sponsor the Hometown HeroSeries.
Of course, we love serving ourcommunity through real estate.
You can give us a call at828-393-0134.
Find us, find us online atrealestatebygreg.com uh and
(15:13):
follow us on social media,Facebook and Instagram.
SPEAKER_02 (15:15):
That's right.
If you'd learn uh heard some ofuh Zoe's talk this morning about
Kendall Kindness and and need togo back, uh we'll be podcasting
this 10 minutes after uh 9o'clock this morning on all of
the places that you get yourpodcasts.
And we invite you to join usevery Friday morning at 8 45 for
the George Real Estate GroupHometown Hero Series here on
(15:38):
WHKP.
SPEAKER_01 (15:40):
You've built a lifetime of strength, wisdom,
and independence.
And here's the best part youstill have it.
Every decision, every step,every next chapter is yours to
choose.
Selling your home isn't aboutletting go, it's about opening
the door to more freedom, moretime for what you love, more
(16:02):
energy for the people andpassions that matter most.
At the George Real Estate Group,we believe independence isn't
behind you.
It's right here, right now.
Our team goes beyond buying andselling.
We're here to help you protectyour wealth, preserve your
legacy, and make sure Uncle Samdoesn't become your biggest
(16:23):
benefactor.
We'll guide you every step ofthe way towards your next
chapter, your next opportunity,and your freedom on your terms.
Call us at 828-393-0134.
Find us online atrealestatebygreg.com.
SPEAKER_02 (16:40):
The George Real Estate Group is located in Flat
Rock, North Carolina, nearHendersonville in Henderson
County.
You can find them online atrealestatebygreg.com.
The George Real Estate Group canbe reached at 828-3930134 or
stop by their office at 2720Greenville Highway, Flat Rock,
(17:01):
North Carolina.
Tune in live each week onThursdays at 1005 AM on WHKP
107.7 FM and 1450 A.M.
or stream online at WHKP.com ordownload these podcasts wherever
you get your podcasts.
The George Real Estate Groupbrings you the WHKP Hometown
(17:25):
Hero Series every Friday morningat 8 45.
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