Featuring our November Shelter of the Month: Haven Animal Rescue Nebraska
At PetPocketbook, we know it takes a village to get a dog adopted and we’re proud to be part of that village. Every Tuesday, we spotlight adoptable pets from local shelters in our community, and each month, we highlight a rescue doing extraordinary work. For November, we’re honored to feature Haven Animal Rescue Nebraska and a very special partnership with Kristin Holzapfel of Pampered Pupperinos & Pals.
Founded in Omaha, Haven Animal Rescue Nebraska is a foster-based nonprofit committed to giving pets the second chance they deserve. They focus on dogs in need of medical care, behavioral support, or simply more time than shelters can offer. Because they don’t have a physical facility, Haven relies entirely on a network of foster families who open their homes and their hearts to pets waiting for forever families.
From vet appointments and training to daily routines and cuddles, their foster model ensures dogs receive one-on-one care and socialization. It also gives the rescue more insight into each dog’s needs, helping them make stronger matches with potential adopters.
That’s part of what made them such a natural fit for Kristin’s vision. They were already committed to enrichment, connection, and personalized care. Kristin’s walk program just gave them another tool to help dogs shine, and a new way to support the foster families who do so much
Kristin isn’t just in the business of dog walking, she’s in the business of building community. This fall, she launched a new program with Haven that gives foster dogs something too many miss out on: routine, enrichment, and a chance to be seen.
Through this initiative, Kristin offers free walks for foster dogs. But here’s the twist—her own clients fund these walks by donating the cost of a visit, covering her time to walk a foster pup instead. In just the first month, seven walks were fully sponsored.
The result? A win-win-win.
- Foster families get support during a hectic time of adjustment, especially when they're juggling work, kids, and other pets.
- Dogs gain confidence, learn leash manners, and get a boost in adoptability through regular socialization.
- Clients feel proud knowing their support helps a dog take one more step toward a forever home.
And it’s all powered by Kristin’s blend of passion and professionalism.
Planting the seed
Kristin first got the idea from seeing similar programs in national pet care forums. She spent months refining it, researching local rescues, and selecting the right partner. Haven Animal Rescue Nebraska was a natural choice. Kristin already knew one of the directors, and their foster-based model meant they were a perfect match for this kind of support.
With a clear vision, Kristin approached Haven in September and officially launched the program on October 1. Within days, she had her first five walks lined up.
Building trust, one visit at a time
Starting a new program, especially one involving vulnerable animals, comes with a learning curve. Kristin found herself fielding questions she hadn’t anticipated—everything from how foster families would schedule visits to her volunteer status with the rescue.
Now that the program is underway, she’s focused on enrolling foster families in PetPocketbook. Even if they’re not currently fostering, it helps her share weekly availability and avoid scheduling hiccups. Plus, each walk includes a personalized report card that gives fosters a glimpse into how their dog did, which often ends up getting shared in the rescue’s Facebook group. That kind of visibility can make all the difference for dogs waiting on the right match.
Real dogs, real impact
A few of the first dogs to benefit from Kristin’s program? Jack and Maximus.
Jack, a lovable mix, was one of the first pups to receive a sponsored walk. After just a few visits—and a glowing report card shared in Haven’s foster group—he found his forever home. It’s the kind of happy ending this program is all about.
Maximus, a sweet and silly boy still waiting for his match, continues to gain confidence on his walks. His report cards are helping foster families and potential adopters get a feel for his personality and his hard work on leash manners.
These stories aren’t just heartwarming. They’re proof that a simple walk, paired with the right visibility, can help change a dog’s life.
A different kind of business growth
Kristin isn’t doing this for attention. She’s doing it because she knows what a difference it makes. But the impact goes both ways. This program has helped introduce her to new pet parents, boost awareness of her business, and deepen her connection with the community.
She’s already planning to expand in 2025 with additional partner rescues, knowing full well she’ll probably need to bring on help soon. (Spoiler: she’s already exploring hiring her first employee.)
Why this matters
At PetPocketbook, we believe pet care businesses like Kristin’s are the backbone of compassionate communities. What she’s doing isn’t just generous, it’s smart, strategic, and sustainable. Her clients don’t just get dog walks. They get to be part of something bigger. And foster families feel less alone knowing someone like Kristin has their back.
We also believe in giving back. Whether it’s supporting rescue causes or spotlighting stories like Kristin’s, we want to lift up the people and organizations using their skills to make a difference. Our hope is that by sharing programs like this, more pet care providers will feel inspired and empowered to do something similar in their own communities.
PetPocketbook helps make this kind of coordination possible by simplifying communication with foster families, keeping everything organized in one place, and providing shareable report cards that keep everyone connected to the dogs they’re supporting.
Kristin said it best: “I’m obviously not in it for the recognition. I’m in it to help them, and to make sure more foster families feel comfortable taking in foster dogs.”
Kristin, we see you. And we’re walking right beside you.💙