One volunteer’s lifetime of care for animals

When Rochelle Fraser called Best Friends in 1996 with an idea to host a pet adoption event at the Salt Lake City mall where she worked, it sparked a conversation with Best Friends co-founder Gregory Castle — and the beginning of something big. Gregory, always game for a big idea (or even a small one with potential), responded with characteristic optimism.

That idea blossomed into a full-scale event and eventually a lifelong friendship and decades-long volunteer journey that continues to this day. “I’ve always loved animals,” says Rochelle. But when she met the people at Best Friends, it was the start of something much bigger for her.

Over the years, Rochelle has been part of so many events and efforts to help the animals — from the first Strut Your Mutt to a super adoption event where 400 animals from shelters or rescue groups went home in a single weekend.

She has organized, hosted, traveled, fundraised, and tabled — back when the work felt like watering seeds and trusting that those seeds would one day bloom into something lasting. “It was a grassroots effort, and I have such fond memories of that time,” says Rochelle.

[All for the animals: Volunteers share their ‘why’]

That spirit of dedication rubbed off on her children, too. Her two sons, Jerod and Garrett, and daughter, Jenna, often pitched in at events. And now, years later, Jenna works at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. “To see my kids get involved and now to have one of them working there — that’s really special,” says Rochelle. “It means the world to me.”

Through it all, what’s stuck with her most is the care. “From day one to now, the level of attention given to every single animal — the diets, the medication, the individualized care — it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

For the past several years, she’s made an annual RV road trip from Salt Lake City to the Sanctuary with a group of close friends, many of whom she introduced to Best Friends. They volunteer, tour the Sanctuary, stock up on merch at the gift shop, and soak in the beauty and purpose of the place. “For me, it’s about showing people what I love — sharing the magic of Best Friends,” she says.

[The givers: Volunteering for the animals]

It began with an idea. And nearly 30 years later, Rochelle’s still helping that idea grow — one volunteer trip, one animal, and one friend at a time.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.