Page 3 - Kind News, Jan/Feb 2021

HUMANE HERO

Have you helped
animals in some way?

Share your story at
kindnews.org/
AUSTIN We’d love to hear about it!
shareyourstory

GETS IT DONE
sidarta/bigstock; shangarey/bigstock; raja app images: bryan huff. this page: redrover.
opposite page, from top: mikhalitskaia/bigstock; redrover; pet corner: from top,

Austin was just six years old when he walked into a Walmart near his
home in Florida to buy LEGO toys with his birthday money. When he
saw fleece blankets, he thought of the shelter dogs in outdoor cages
in the cold winter weather. That’s when he decided his money could
help others! He bought as many blankets as he could and donated
them to the shelter. But he didn’t stop there.
With his mother’s help, Austin started his own organization called Every Bark
Counts to help animals in need. “Animals can’t speak for themselves,” Austin
says. “I thought I could help and I believed in myself and here I am.” Austin
and his mother sold cotton candy, popcorn, and dog and cat crafts at local
events to raise money. Someone at an event suggested posting Every Bark
Counts on the website GoFundMe.org, and that took Austin’s work to another level. He was chosen as one of
GoFundMe’s “Young Changemakers.” Donations started coming in from around the world. Now 12 years old,
Austin has raised over $80,000 for supplies and care for thousands of needy cats, dogs, and horses across
the country. One of them was a pit bull mix named Hobo who was abused and needed a leg operation. “Now
he’s in his forever home, and I can see him whenever I want,” says Austin.
What is Austin’s message to other young people? “Help your local shelter or rescue as much as you can,
or try to adopt an animal like a dog or cat.”

WHAT’S A MOUSE’S FAVORITE GAME? Jan/Feb 2021 | 3
RIDDLE RAT! (answer on p. 7)