Tonja Severson

I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember. As a child, I spent hours on my neighbor’s farm, tracking down hidden litters of kittens and bringing them to Farmer Steve for their vaccines. That early connection sparked a lifelong commitment to animal care.

When my son was born, we began fostering cats—a journey that lasted 14 wonderful years. About five years ago, I expanded into fostering dogs, and it’s been just as rewarding. Though I’ve taken a few breaks over the years, I always feel a deep emptiness when I’m not actively helping animals. Fostering brings a sense of purpose and joy that nothing else quite matches.

My home is a lively menagerie of pets and foster animals, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I also find peace in gardening, especially in my butterfly garden, which is a vibrant sanctuary for pollinators and a personal retreat for me.

Professionally, I balance two worlds: I work part-time here as a kennel assistant, staying close to the animals I love, and during the week, I’m a construction accountant for a general contractor. Life is definitely chaotic—but it’s full of heart, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.