Q&A with co-founder Anne Mejia
The Founders’ Corner allows a peek at Best Friends and the no-kill movement from the unique perspective of those special people who have been here since the beginning — the Best Friends founders. In this issue, we speak with Anne Mejia.
Q: Best Friends is now in its 36th year. Looking back, what recollections stand out to you as most significant?
A: Shortly after our arrival in Angel Canyon in 1984, it was starkly clear that the success of the Sanctuary, the outcome of saving these precious lives, was completely dependent on people pulling together. The more people involved, the more lives we could save. So, we reached out beyond our small group of founders and began travelling to cities to raise money and awareness of our no-kill sanctuary — a concept that few had heard of or believed to be possible.
At the same time, people became curious and wanted to visit the Sanctuary. They would call and ask, “Is it really as amazing as portrayed in your magazine?” Knowing that we needed to be prepared to receive and welcome these compassionate folks, my husband, Cyrus, and I started the very beginnings of the welcome center. We offered tours, arranged volunteering and created a Best Friends gift shop. Everyone who came expressed that their experience exceeded their expectations. They called it magical, transformational, inspirational, like truly coming home.
We now have tens of thousands of visitors each year, from all over the world, and many are loyal supporters who make it their annual retreat, to re-invigorate their spirit. Some come several times a year. And they bring the lessons they learn here back to their communities to help transform them into no-kill communities. They are our boots on the ground.
Another pivotal point in our history, when people came together like never before, was after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005. I was asked to head up the logistical operations team back at the Sanctuary. Together, we coordinated the rotation of hundreds of rescue groups transporting animals from our temporary shelter outside of New Orleans to homes across the country; arranged for businesses to provide lifesaving quantities of food, animal care and medical supplies; vetted
Reaching “beyond the choir” — effecting social change where the need for that change is not yet understood — is a constant focus and area of much work.
and scheduled thousands of volunteers from across the country, from vets and vet techs to construction workers, teachers, corporate executives and people from all walks of life.
In October of 2005, once we had logistics running smoothly, Cyrus and I headed down to the front line to run on-the-ground operations for six weeks. I will be forever indebted to the folks who volunteered with us. They rolled up their sleeves and dug in, tirelessly, under extreme hardship. We could not have done it without every one of them. Those deeply committed rescue organizations, which worked hand-in-hand with us, are the founding members of our national network of partners.
The time that inspires me the most, however, is now. It makes my heart sing to be witnessing this era of working together to become a no-kill nation. This movement is unstoppable. We have the most collaborative, solution-driven, brilliantly strategic, innovative, scrappy, gritty leadership. Together with our staff, volunteers, network partners and supporters, they are taking us to a bright new future, a time when the country will no longer have homeless pets.
Q: What are you doing now at Best Friends?
A: Now it is my privilege to serve on the board of directors to help our leaders guide the ship. I also have the opportunity to travel to engage with our supporters and our frontline staff and volunteers. They inspire me every day. And, as director of principal gifts, I consult with our dedicated fundraising staff, presenting the cultural and historical perspective of our work.
Q:
What are the biggest challenges today for the no-kill movement?
A: In addition to everything that my fellow founders have shared in past issues of the magazine, I would like to say that reaching “beyond the choir” — effecting social change where the need for that change is not yet understood — is a constant focus and area of much work. We still need to get to those hearts and minds. People are the solution. Once they really understand the problem, and the easy solutions that are at hand, they step up.