Mariko Hirano, Co-Founder

Mariko has touched countless aspects of the work at Best Friends. In the early days, when the Sanctuary was first being built, she was an expert Sheetrock installer and worked hard on construction projects. Later, she helped at Best Friends’ Cat World and in her spare time made stuffed toys that she sold to raise money for the animals.

Mariko has been a part of the Best Friends Fire Brigade, in charge of priming the pressure for hoses in the event of an emergency. She also has worked in the shipping department — labeling, stuffing envelopes, and printing and prepping bulk mailings.

She was instrumental in creating Best Friends’ donor acknowledgment processes that ensure every donor feels our deep appreciation. And she always made sure that members’ memorial tributes to pets and family got extra-special treatment.

Since retiring, Mariko has continued to answer many members’ requests to honor those they have loved and lost. She also continues to foster kittens.