If you’ve interacted with local rescue organization Lakeshore PAWS’ Facebook page, chances are you’ve communicated with this week’s Valpo Life in the Spotlight, Ashley Boyer. As the Social Media Manager for Lakeshore PAWS, Boyer is responsible for sending out press releases, updating the website, maintaining the Facebook page, and attending adoption events, all for the sake of finding homes for our displaced furry four-legged friends.
An avid writer, Boyer pursued an English and Humanities degree in college at Valparaiso University, while minoring in New Media-Journalism, and was also a Christ College Scholar, the honors program at VU. She freelanced for the Times after graduation, writing for Get Healthy and Shore magazine. At an English major night offered by the university, Boyer was introduced to Lakeshore PAWS, which had just incorporated., in April of 2011, and soon became a volunteer with the foster-based organization that rescues animals from local animal shelters.
“I’ve always liked dogs,” she stated, while discussing her journey to the rescue. As a young child, Boyer’s family had a dog but after he passed, the family did not have any more pets until a dog in need of a home came along. Kane, or Mr. Kane as Boyer affectionately refers to him, immediately became part of the family, reinforcing her commitment to the mission of Lakeshore PAWS. “It’s not always about the animals. It’s about a relationship with a cat or dog. If I can help someone find that, that’s rewarding.”
Boyer now divides her time between Lakeshore PAWS and PAWS co-founder Jeanne Sommer’s brokerage Century 21 Alliance Group as the Marketing Manager. Managing the Facebook page for the rescue is a great responsibility, as Boyer posts PAWS pets in need of homes and fields questions to help match families with the pets. “We get a lot of people that find us on Facebook,” she shared, talking about a recent drive they held for pet beds. “It’s really great how willing people are to donate.”
As a foster-based organization, Lakeshore PAWS is always in search of loving families to help house the pets until they find their forever homes. “Fosters very important, they’re the ones who open their homes,” Boyer stated. “Dogs and cats have to sleep on concrete floors otherwise. Fosters also have more insight into their behavior, help house and crate train the animals…it makes the dogs more adoptable.”
“Valpo seems friendlier, more willing to give,” she went on to say. “The community has been very supportive of Lakeshore PAWS!”
Boyer is seen pictured at top with Mr. Kane, and at bottom with Chipster, a Lakeshore PAWS dog. Chipster is a five-year-old Black Labrador Retriever/Pit Bull Terrier mix available for adoption through Lakeshore PAWS. He has a calm temperament and is looking for a loving home with a warm couch to lie on. Chipster is good with kids and other dogs, and will make one lucky family an excellent pet!