Gaining Furspective
Launched in 2023 and based in the heart of Glendale, KD’s Husky Rescue AZ serves as a 501c nonprofit organization, specializing in the rescue, rehabilitating, and rehoming of with-listed Huskies and Husky mixes. The director is Susan Saunders, who carries this organization on her back, and out of her own pockets. Saunders may not have a facility in which she functions out of, but she is the first name shelters call if a lost, neglected or abandoned Husky enters their shelter. Susan works to serve her community by being a pillar of honesty and trust as far as her rescue and adoption processes goes. KD’s Husky Rescue AZ is named after her very own Husky, Katydid. Her love and adoration for this breed is what pushed her to enter a very volatile field, as well as her innate understanding of this breed and commitment to making hard decisions when it comes to the care and concern of these dogs.
Working with partners like Academy West Animal Hospital and Kierland Animal Clinic, Susan provides these dogs that come in with nothing with all the resources needed to equip them with the tools to thrive in a domestic household. Susan and her team work tirelessly to provide these dogs with medical care, as well as stressing the importance of getting them into foster homes and socializing as soon as possible. Saunders does extensive checks of the fosters she places her dogs in–many are established volunteers she works with– to ensure their safety, and that their care is what they deserve. KD’s approach is deeply rooted in education and community support– upon meeting Susan, their message and intended impact are immediately understood. Beyond getting these sweet animals off the streets and saving lives, Susan and her team serve as messengers for the dogs who cannot speak for themselves. Understanding the unique needs of a Husky breed as well as the polarity and true nature behind adopting instead of shopping are the keystone values that spearhead Saunders operation. That in itself separates them from a traditional rescue– money in, money out– the search to find pets homes at whatever cost. Instead, Saunders offers these creatures a loving experience from intake into forever home.
KD’S focus on compassion and ethical rescue is exemplified through all facets of the organization, they are a truly humble and transparent group that relies on exposure and outreach to generate the support they need to continue doing what they love. Despite challenges financially, the emotional toll of rescue work, and sheer volume of displaced dogs– Saunders has kept her morals at the forefront and knows that no adoption can come about without proper understanding. Through prioritizing both dog and human partnership within the rescue and rehab of these Huskies, Saunders has set herself apart–and ethically–she is a staple of the community.
ITS ALL IN THE DE-TAILS
KD’s Husky Rescue AZ provides a unique outlook on how to give back to their community in trade. Where KD shines is in their connections they are able to make both virtually and in the real world with Arizonians. As a nonprofit, all proceeds go directly to the care and consideration of the animals. That being said, it is always a challenging endeavor to portray this concept to the average potential donator encountered at a fundraiser. This is the niche where KD thrives: utilizing their charismatics through facets like bringing huskies to meet firsthand, having all volunteers in matching shirts representing the company, and just enjoying each others presence and happily volunteering instead of looking like they are being held at gunpoint is a huge attractor to donators. When it comes to working with partners like Academy West Animal Hospital, Saunders’s interpersonal connections with each dog transcends to the staff, who have nothing but words of praise to describe their experience in terms of their partnership with KD. When asked any question about KD’s Husky Rescue AZ, Saunders will respond with something along the lines of this: “We do everything by the book. We are honest. We are upfront”. This aligns well with Academy West's ethics, as they provide top-notch care with transparent and warm employees. Saunders refuses to shy away from acknowledging the needs that a nonprofit functions on, such as donations and public engagement/reception. Instead of portraying the nonprofit in a light that would drive away donors for fear that their money is not going to the proper cause they initially donated to, Saunders explains exactly when, where, and how an individual’s contribution will positively affect the dogs currently and future-wise in KD’s care. That is a huge win for Saunders– earning community trust through repeatedly showing heart and morals at the forefront of her organization builds her up as a pillar of trust, and someone these people can call when they believe an issue is even slightly up her alley.
"It takes a certain type of person, because you do see a lot of really bad things. But we can make a difference."
Kristin, Academy West Animal Hospital Manager
THE TOP DOG: A MOMENT WITH THE ALPHA OF THE PACK
Susan Saunders’s contribution to Arizona through KD’S Husky Rescue AZ has been so deeply embedded into the community that perhaps we as a community have begun to overlook these load-bearing organizations that function as the backbone of everyday life. Attending a fundraiser or peeking at their socials is one thing, but hearing about the journey each dog takes and the crew behind them from her mouth itself deepens the once shallow understanding of their importance to the community. Each step taken by KD is careful and considerate of the dog and their background. Making a choice to take a dog in, whether they be off the euthanasia list or from the corner of 27th Ave, represents a commitment that she is willing to make. Dedicating time, resources, and emotional energy to each individual dog is inevitably a hard job, but someone has to do it. Susan explains her relationship with the concept of rescuing bluntly: “It is difficult every day”. Taking on a task that wears away at your heart, as you see, hear, and inject into numerous situations in which the average person does not choose to, reflects on Saunders prioritizing something way deeper than herself. To hold this organization on her back and make the hard decisions regarding these dog’s lives every day means she fully grasps the importance of her role. She, through how she runs her organization morally, represents a hand, outstretched, reaching for those who have been hurt by the same hands. She gets to know these dogs well, specifically the Husky breed, and knows what they need and will do everything in her power to assure they get the chance to get it. Her advocacy for these dogs transcends Arizona– it embodies the indomitable human spirit– the quest for “better”. What elevates Susan from the rest is that her personal quest for better, what she has dedicated her life to, is better for these dogs. This is a quest that she will reap no direct positives from personally, rather it will take hold of her heart and those she touches through KD’s and encourage positive change in the same vein of what she has done for her community and the Husky breed.
"The more fosters that you have, the more ability that you have, number one, to take in more dogs in need, and number two, the better the outcome is when they go in their forever homes."
LOOKING INWARDS
Saunders also attracts the public eye with her dynamic social media presence. On platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, Saunders keeps it in the family– her son creates intricate and eye-catching flyers to inform the public about the where’s, the when’s, and the why’s of KD’S events and what they are currently up to.
This is such an important aspect of the nonprofit, as spreading your message and gaining exposure is crucial to achieving the revenue needed to continue to care for and save these lives. As a brand, one thing KD’S Husky Rescue AZ does exceptionally well is keep the focus in their niche: a great fundraiser they did was at a “bring your dog to dinner” night at a local restaurant. This allowed their target audience–dog owners and lovers– to be brought right to KD’s front doorstep, allowing for the volunteers to rely on their innate sense of Pathos that you pick up on working in an animal related field to gain positive traction.
This alongside their digital footprint truly showcases the importance of utilizing accessibility–KD stepping in tune with their prime demographic through social media as well as fundraising events that just make sense– is what sets them apart; it is not a reach to say that KD’s understanding of people contributes greatly to her understanding and compassionate nature within the dog sphere.
SIT AND SHAKE
I wasn't sure what to expect when I got out of the car and walked up to the O.H.S.O Brewery, however I was pleasantly met with a cutely decorated table, warm smiles, and a handshake from Susan Saunders. I was able to look around, and see all their baskets filled with items they’d be raffling off, bandanas made by Robin, a volunteer, and sweet signs and posters featuring beautiful art based around KD, Saunders’ dog. I watched how the volunteers ran the fundraising event– in a polite, respectful way as to not infringe on people’s evenings, but to convey their message in a quick one sentence spiel. Each volunteer was quick to specify “we are not asking for any money”, which I think is an absolutely crucial and intelligent way to go about concisely displaying your ethics as a company when you only get a few seconds with someone to make a first impression. This specification allows people to know that this is not a money-in-money-out organization, but rather a word of mouth transaction–one that could be way more sustainable long term than a short donation of 10$. If people mentioned KD Husky Rescue AZ to their server, 20% of their bill would go to the rescue. This is an incredible opportunity–it is low effort on the “donator”s side, and can add up well for the nonprofit without invasive marketing techniques having to be implicated to get the public to cooperate. The public reception to this, as I analyzed, was great– people are inclined to help warm and welcoming individuals, especially patrons with dogs–it tugs at the heartstrings. A couple of veterans of the rescue– Gumball and Darwin– even stopped by at the event. This showed true depth within the organization, and it allowed me to sneak a peek behind the curtain and understand that to KD, a fundraiser is not just a fundraiser–KD’s community importance was on full display here. The respect and love going in all directions from the organization to the dogs and their adopters sent a message to those watching that the entire process was cooperative, smooth, and such strong connections were formed that meeting up casually post-adoption is a happy and sentimental moment, rather than anxiety-inducing, or to be avoided. These strong bonds that the adopters have with Susan and her crew represent their much deeper community impact– KD truly advocated for the best possible placements for these dogs and the process was treated with mutual respect from both parties. The veteran dogs were overjoyed to see Saunders and crew–jumping up, licking faces– it was clear that their quality of life went from zero to one hundred with Susan, and has been happily maintained and upheld by the new owners. Understanding the individual dogs on a deeper level as well as communicating with the former potential adopters allowed me to understand what makes Susan so special– her attention to detail is second to none, and to be able to uphold that standard for herself while being fully funded by the public and the connections she makes with them makes her shine so bright in this community.
PAWS FOR THOUGHT
An underexposed industry, animal journalism elevates and sheds light on a unique specimen of study. To recognize the importance, as a community, of uplifting and having the backs of populations–in this instance, animals– that do not have the materials to advocate for themselves is what builds up strong community connections. Inherently trusting, animals learn through behavior and consistency, as opposed to words. This is what separates the human impact and theirs– the indomitable spirit of the human has the capability to transcend species, and our opposable thumbs give the people all they need to get after it. The reason picking up a camera or microphone and getting in these animal’s personal space --and their support system’s as well-- is so vital is that those who choose to dive deeper into the not-so-pleasant truths of animals, street life, and neglect can form these unformidable bonds with those working to help the helpless. Our words will always have a deep impact, and being able to document and share harsh truths, groundbreaking progress, and humanity with its skin pulled back makes animal journalism a very vulnerable field for the parties on both sides of the coin. Animals rely on cues and behavior to form trust and respect, and humans have a civic duty to surmount the binaries limited by vocal communication. Mutual trust, respect, and deep-seated levels of understanding are the thousand-year-old roots growing underneath the animal journalism industry.
IN THE SPAWTLIGHT
KOLTON isn’t the kind of guy who rushes in, tongue out, for kisses—he’s the kind who tiptoes forward, testing the waters, hoping you’ll meet him halfway. With freckles that resemble cinnamon across his muzzle and timeless icy blue eyes that speak to your soul, he’s equal parts beauty and heart.
He and his brother, Kameron, were left behind with their mom who held them together until help arrived. A small shelter in Nogales gave them a place to land, and KD’s Husky Rescue AZ stepped in to rewrite their story. While mom got adopted out, Kameron and Kolton are waiting for someone to help them start their own chapters. He’s still warming up to the world–especially his newfound freedoms. Not skittish, just cautious—like a guy who’s been through enough to know trust is earned. But once he knows you’re safe, you’ll see his ears perk, his curiosity peaked, and the sweetest slow tail-wag will set over.
Kolton doesn’t need perfection—just a person with a little patience and a big heart. He’s got a lot to give, and once he finds his confidence, he’s going to be the kind of dog who makes you feel lucky every single day.
FRASIER is a sweet guy who captivates you with his mismatched eyes—one blue like the morning sky, one brown like the desert he walked alone. Found as a stray in Nogales, this handsome black-and-white Husky drifted unnoticed and unclaimed. Overcrowding threatened his life, landing his name on the euth list. He was pulled and saved, and given a second chance.
Now, Frasier lights up a room (or a yard). He’ is full of energy, and eager for connection. Frasier loves a rousing game of tug of war, dances through the yard and flings himself at you, and soaks up love like sunlight. Give him affection and he’ll return it tenfold—pressing into your side, offering as many kisses as he dares. Ideal for an active person or family, Frasier would thrive with active people, although he would certainly not be opposed to family nap time. He’s not a pet, he represents something more– he represents loyalty, resilience, and second chances. Despite a rough start, this sweetie remains open-hearted and hopeful.
PARKER is everyone’s best friend. He’s the kind of dog you remember—the handsome husky with the big brown eyes and even bigger personality. He’s quick with a trick and quicker with a playful zoom across the yard. Sure, he knows his cues like “sit” and “stay,” but he’s also got a bit of a rebel streak that keeps life interesting. Not to say he is stubborn though- he is an easy going, cool guy who listens very attentively– incredibly rare for a Husky!
Hailing from a rural shelter as a stray in Nogales, this boy just narrowly survived the euthanasia list. As any true husky should be, he's a bit of a talker– assuming he’s telling prison stories about his time on the euth list– but give him a great walk– he's fantastic on a leash– and he’ll be tuckered out into silence. Toss him in the car and he’s as good as they come, too. Sit, stay, and paw are like second nature to him– this charmer is ready for a new adventure with great people who are up to “his” standards. Windows down, pointy ears flapping in the wind, snow nose out the window– this is the life Parker deserves. Life would be better if everyone had a Parker.
DON'T FUR-GET IT
My experience shadowing Susan Saunders and KD’s Husky Rescue AZ has been absolutely phenomenal, and more than I could ever have hoped for. The time I spent talking to Saunders and the volunteers and getting to know their pull to the organization and how intertwined they are within KD’s foundations, amazed me. After originally piquing my interest online through their website and social media presence, the time I was able to spend in person with the organization taught me many lessons that transcend the rescue field. Learning how each respective member of KD’s deals with the full spectrum of emotion that comes with dealing with animals in such a graceful and true “bigger picture” outlook put so many concepts into perspective for me. These people truly understand that they are not in it for themselves–as long as the world spins, there will be dogs that need help. Saunders and company have successfully adopted out 27 fully rehabilitated dogs since their startup in 2023, and their aspirations are set high for the coming years. The impact is found not only in the live-saving actions and procedures they take, but to watch these dogs transform emotionally, physically, and socially before their eyes fill the heart and mind in ways that cannot be measured. Even though I was briefly in the mix, observing what they do firsthand with the dogs at the boarding facility itself, as well as how effective they are within their immediate community, shows me the passion they have and how contagious it can be. They pulled my heartstrings and offered a fresh and more uplifting perspective on a very devastating and loss-ridden line of work. My personal affiliation with huskies in particular stems from my childhood husky, Holly, who I would consider my “soul dog”, unexpectedly passing at the age of five on my watch, without the possibility of a goodbye. Loss can be very transformative– I found myself aching to be a part of the solution going forwards, whereas in the past, my hands were tied. To work alongside people who are united in joy and grief—and keep suscepting themselves to it with each new dog—truly emulates human compassion and showcases it through one of the cutest outlets: dogs.
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