For Kim Leon, loving animals has always come naturally. Long before she ever walked through the doors of the Wake County Animal Center, she was the kind of person who noticed animals, worried about them and wanted to help. “I’ve been an animal lover ever since I was a little kid,” she says simply, as if there were no other way to be.
Leon, who worked as a kindergarten assistant for 23 years, first connected with the Animal Center about 12 years ago after a coworker asked if she wanted to volunteer. At the time, Leon already had a miniature schnauzer of her own. She agreed to try volunteering and began as a dog walker.
“I fell in love with it,” Leon said. “The shelter is always crowded, and there are so many dogs in need. I felt so bad for all the pups.”
“Fostering opens up a kennel so another dog can come in. That space can save a life.”
— Kim Leon
After volunteering for about a year, Leon and her husband decided to foster. They have now been fostering dogs for 11 years.
Leon said fostering allows dogs to decompress and adjust to life outside the shelter. She enjoys watching their behavior change once they are in a home environment and receiving individual attention. Some of the dogs Leon fosters need medical care before they are ready for adoption, which she said is another important way to help reduce stress on the shelter.
“I don’t have any special training,” Leon said. “I’ve just learned over the years from walking dogs, watching videos and having dogs of my own.”
Over the years, Leon has formed strong bonds with many of the dogs she has fostered. One dog, a pit bull who stayed with the family for eight months, became their first foster fail. Leon and her husband adopted the dog, who remained with them for 10 years until she passed away this spring.
“She was the best dog ever,” Leon said.
Leon said fostering has deepened her connection to animals and strengthened her commitment to helping them. She believes fostering plays a critical role in shelter operations by helping dogs adjust to home life and freeing up space at the shelter for other animals in need.
“Fostering opens up a kennel so another dog can come in,” she said. “That space can save a life.”
In addition to fostering, Leon continues to volunteer as a dog walker and helps in other ways, including matchmaking, cuddling dogs and taking them on daycations. She said volunteers provide attention and affection animals may not otherwise receive while in the shelter.
Leon encourages anyone considering fostering to give it a try, even if letting go feels difficult. She said the goal is always to find the best possible home for each dog.
“If you don’t let them go, you can’t keep fostering and saving more lives,” she said.
Leon plans to continue fostering and volunteering as long as she is able.
“It brings me so much joy,” she said. “Walking dogs, cuddling them and giving them love, that’s what keeps me coming back.”
