HOUSTON – Monica Schmidt is known as an animal lover. In her baby photos, she smiled while plopped next to her family dog. So it's no surprise that she would grow up to become a full-time animal defender.
"I think all my life I've always loved animals, and I grew up in a family that always had some sort of pet,” Schmidt said.
As an adult, she’s spent the past nine years of her career working at the Houston Humane Society, where she holds the position of Shelter Operations Manager.
Schmidt said it’s a huge task at a shelter that serves the fourth-biggest city in the United Sates.
"Some days we're transferring out ten, twenty animals -- and the next day we might be taking in 50 or 60 animals," she said.
Schmidt has been involved in dozens of large-scale animal rescues, at times saving more than 200 dogs from puppy mills or sparing a horse from cruelty and neglect.
"You really know that you're taking those animals from what is basically hell on earth. We've taken in puppy mill seizures where you know those animals have never even touched grass before,” Schmidt said.
The Houston Humane Society offers a variety of services to Houstonians and their pets including adoptions, low-cost veterinary services and community outreach and education.
Schmidt has her hand in just about all of it.
"I think what really speaks to me is animals don't always have someone to speak up for them. And here at Houston Humane Society, we all do that."
She said her proudest moments were seeing animals that once faced insurmountable odds of recovery find new homes where they will be cared for and loved.
"That's kind of what keeps you going the next day -- is seeing those amazing transformation."
To learn more about the Houston Humane Society, click here.
To donate, click here.
