From Rescue to Remembrance: The Robinette Family Gives Back

By Meredith Stafford-Chapman, Development Coordinator

The Robinette family – Christi, Brian and their son Connor – have been supporters of Animal Friends for many years. Whether it was by adopting an animal, attending an Animal Friends event or making a donation each month, the Robinettes have consistently embodied what it means to be compassionate animal advocates.

Brian and Winston

Back when Animal Friends was located in the Strip District, they adopted their sweet dog Bruno, who lived to be 19 years old. Then came Violet, a beautiful pup who spent a year at Animal Friends before finding her perfect match with the Robinette family. Rounding out the pack is a handsome, red-nosed guy named Winston, who spends his time snuggling with Violet, their cat Finnigan and the rest of the Robinette family. Christi and her family are passionate about the lifesaving work that Animal Friends does, and they are forever grateful for the dedicated team who provided medical care and attention to their animals, including two who came from Humane Investigation cases.

Winston and Violet

Christi and Brian have been supporting Animal Friends for many years by attending events and advocating for shelter animals and community-focused initiatives. At the end of 2021, the Robinettes became monthly donors, specifically donating to support Rosie’s Rule. This fund is near and dear to their hearts since Rosie was adopted by Christi’s father, Bob Fragasso. Rosie was a nervous dog who never lived in a home before and shortly after Christi’s father adopted Rosie, she escaped from her new home. Tragically, after more than two weeks on the loose, Rosie was struck by a vehicle and passed away. Christi’s family donates to Rosie’s Rule to help cover the cost of a GPS-enabled tracking collar for one dog at Animal Friends every month, in hopes that other dogs can be easily tracked and rescued if they go missing. Christi says “we wanted to turn a tragic event into something positive.”

Christi and Bruno

Christi is a firm believer that monthly giving is easy and seamless in that “it happens automatically, just like a retirement plan at work. You do not have to decide to give – it just happens. It allows you to determine an amount that fits into your monthly budget, which can have a significant impact on a yearly basis to Animal Friends.” A monthly gift helps ensure the commitment that Animal Friends has to each and every animal, both in the shelter and the community.

For example, a gift of $25 a month could support the Chow Wagon Pet Food Bank pantry partners by providing a delivery of free, nutritious food to feed hungry pets. In 2021 alone, Animal Friends distributed 155,606 pounds of pet food support to 21,596 pet owners who had fallen on hard times. Over the course of one year, a $25 monthly gift can provide 1,200 meals.

Violet, Winston and Finnigan

Thanks to generous donors like the Robinette family, Animal Friends’ impact is felt by thousands of animals and pet owners in our community and beyond. Visit ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/ MonthlyGiving to learn more!

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