Meet Emily
Teen’s Pet Calendar Brings Community Together for Rescue Animals
Name: Emily Moran
Age: 15
Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I am a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School and spend a lot of my free time with animals. I frequently pet sit for my neighbors in Salt Creek, and I love playing with my dog Tommy. He is the one who made me love dogs in the first place. I am a member of two animal rescue clubs at my high school, and I volunteer regularly at the local cat rescue.
I am a freshman at Ponte Vedra High School and spend a lot of my free time with animals. I frequently pet sit for my neighbors in Salt Creek, and I love playing with my dog Tommy. He is the one who made me love dogs in the first place. I am a member of two animal rescue clubs at my high school, and I volunteer regularly at the local cat rescue.
What inspired you to start an animal rescue fundraiser in your neighborhood?
I wanted to find a way to raise money for the local rescues because I know they depend on donations to help animals in need.
I wanted to find a way to raise money for the local rescues because I know they depend on donations to help animals in need.
How did you come up with the idea for a Pets of Salt Creek Calendar?
I thought a pet calendar would be something fun to create that my neighbors would enjoy and actually want to buy. The response was incredible, with neighbors quickly sending in pictures and donations.
I thought a pet calendar would be something fun to create that my neighbors would enjoy and actually want to buy. The response was incredible, with neighbors quickly sending in pictures and donations.
How many pets were featured in the calendar?
Thirty-seven! The Salt Creek community really loves their pets, and they wanted to support me.
Thirty-seven! The Salt Creek community really loves their pets, and they wanted to support me.
What was the most challenging part of organizing it?
Keeping track of all the information coming in was definitely the hardest part. I asked my neighbors to send a picture of their pet along with their pet’s name, age, and three words to describe them. I wanted to make sure that no pets were left out and that there were no spelling errors.
Keeping track of all the information coming in was definitely the hardest part. I asked my neighbors to send a picture of their pet along with their pet’s name, age, and three words to describe them. I wanted to make sure that no pets were left out and that there were no spelling errors.
What was your favorite part of the whole experience?
Putting the calendar together with all the cute pictures was very fun because I was able to get creative with the design and layout on my computer. It was also very cool seeing the finished printed calendar. I would say that my very favorite part was delivering the calendars and seeing the excitement on my neighbors’ faces.
Putting the calendar together with all the cute pictures was very fun because I was able to get creative with the design and layout on my computer. It was also very cool seeing the finished printed calendar. I would say that my very favorite part was delivering the calendars and seeing the excitement on my neighbors’ faces.
How much money did you raise for the rescues?
I raised a total of $760 for Love Me True Rescue and SAFE Pet Rescue. It was more than I expected, and I'm so thankful.
I raised a total of $760 for Love Me True Rescue and SAFE Pet Rescue. It was more than I expected, and I'm so thankful.
Do you plan to continue the calendar in the future?
I absolutely plan to continue the calendar annually. It makes people happy and raises money for animals in need.
I absolutely plan to continue the calendar annually. It makes people happy and raises money for animals in need.
What did you learn from running your own fundraiser?
I learned that running my own fundraiser was a lot of work, but in the end it was well worth it.
I learned that running my own fundraiser was a lot of work, but in the end it was well worth it.
What advice would you give other teens who want to make a difference?
If you have an idea, just go for it. You never know how big of an impact it can make!
If you have an idea, just go for it. You never know how big of an impact it can make!
Anything else you’d like to share?
My sister Isabel and I have a pet-sitting business called Happy Paws. We care for pets in Sawgrass Players Club and have lots of references. If you would like more information, you can reach out to us at (610) 417-1769.
My sister Isabel and I have a pet-sitting business called Happy Paws. We care for pets in Sawgrass Players Club and have lots of references. If you would like more information, you can reach out to us at (610) 417-1769.