Meet Kella Manfredi | Shelter Relations Director & Theatre Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kella Manfredi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kella, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
We let our hearts break a little so theirs never have to break again. (In regards to animal rescue)

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I work for PawsCo Animal Rescue- a volunteer, non-profit organization that focuses on getting animals out of shelters, into foster homes, and adopting them out to wonderful families. My role specifically is quite daunting at times. Currently, animal welfare is in crisis. Surrenders of animals are up 40-50% since 2021. Adoptions are at a standstill, and even when they uptick they aren’t keeping up with the number of animals coming into the shelter. Every cage is full. Transfers out to rescues are slow. Animals have more medical or behavioral needs. More senior animals are in shelters, and animals are sitting for months before adoption. It’s hard to hear and witness everyday, but my job is to help find people who have the power to make a difference for these shelters, their staff members, and most importantly the animals.

Fostering isn’t a walk in the park- it takes work, dedication, a lot of patience, and a compassionate heart to guide these precious animals through their rescue journey. I have learned so much about resilience and compassion through this work. I encourage those that think they “could never foster” because it would be too hard to say goodbye to the animals we grow attached to, but I urge you- allow your heart to break a little, so theirs never have to break again. Selflessness is vital in animal rescue. It is all about what is best for animals.

PawsCo is run by a compassionate and caring group of individuals who are always searching for new members to add to the family- We encourage you all to consider opening your home to an animal in need if you have the space in your home and your heart

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver is an absolute Gem of a city- there are so many great ways to adventure here. Top dining spot_ D’Corazon- the best hole in the wall Mexican in Colorado- staff is fabulous, margs are knock out, and the food is unmatched. Red Rocks is always a must- I suggest seeing any concert there- but Dirty Heads is always a blast; Fox Hollow Golf Course offers great views and a difficult course. The Denver Center for the Performing Arts offers some of the best theatre in the country- And of course, Ball Arena to see both the Avalanche and the Nuggets dominate.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A huge shoutout to Tiana Nelson, Brittany Todd and Talia Manchego, along with every other strong woman I have met and worked with animal rescue. It is no secret that the majority of volunteers in animal welfare are female, and I have been honored to work with, learn from and rescue animals because of these knowledgeable, selfless and strong woman,

Website: www.pawsco.org

Instagram: @pawsco

Facebook: PawsCo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VhK8yLvRsA

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJh0xHHb9m4