I have been an animal lover my entire life. However, my passion has reached new levels upon my move to Corpus Christi, TX. I have never seen so many dogs and cats in need! I have tried to help as much as I can by feeding strays, fostering dogs, and working with local no-kill rescues in findings homes to many dogs and cats.
In June 2022, I visited the sanctuary of Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, UT. Best Friends Animal Society is the leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 347,000. Best Friends runs lifesaving programs all across the country, as well as the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Working collaboratively with a network of more than 3,600 animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All®.
As part of my visit to the sanctuary, I went on a tour and hosted a dog named Fig for overnight sleepover and a couple of hikes. I was so impressed with the organization for saving so many animal lives and pioneering the movement towards no-kill shelters. I loved my visit and always hoped to come back to volunteer, host more dogs on sleepovers, and somehow further support this organization. Now I found a way.
Besides being an animal lover, I also like to run and hike. I have completed many trail ultramarathons. Although I live in flatlands by the Gulf at sea level, I like to challenge myself and train for trail ultras in the mountains at altitude. I have completed many 50ks, 50 milers, 100ks, and a couple of 100 milers. This year, as a new challenge, I will attempt to run Grand to Grand (G2G) Ultra, a self-supported stage race spanning 7 days and 171 miles in September 2023. I will have to carry all my food as well as gear (including sleeping bag and mat) for the duration of the event and run every day on tired legs. I have never attempted anything of this difficulty, but I am super excited to challenge myself and find out what I am capable of. More importantly, I want to dedicate my training and conquering G2G Ultra to Best Friends Animal Society and raise funds they desperately need for saving more animal lives. That's why I created this fundraiser.
When you donate to my fundraiser, you'll be helping around 1,600 dogs, cats, bunnies, birds, horses, and other barnyard animals who on any given day reside at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Plus, you'll be helping to save the lives of homeless pets all across the country through lifesaving adoption and spay/neuter programs, no-kill initiatives, and more.
Thank you for donating to help save animals' lives. Together, we will Save Them All. Any $ amount will help. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your support.
Links:
- To learn more about Grand to Grand Ultra, go to: https://g2gultra.com/
- To follow my training, go to: https://www.strava.com/athletes/nikkigraf
- If you are looking to adopt a great dog, go see Fig's profile as he's still for adoption: https://bestfriends.org/adopt/adopt-our-sanctuary/13958178/fig