26 August 29 • 2019
jn
jews d
in
the
Schmoozing
with
Mimi Marcus
M
imi Marcus’
s passion for
photographing rescue
animals to pair them with
owners developed into Together
Fureverr.
Marcus is director of programs
at The Well, as well as a fellow at
Taglit-Birthright Israel. She is the
former director of engagement at
MSU Hillel and grad-
uated from Saginaw
Valley State University
in 2015.
Her page, Together
Fureverr, showcases
shelter rescues in a
positive light — a
snapshot of what
these animals would look like
outside of cages and in a family’
s
home. Each week, she contacts
local shelters to photograph adopt-
able pets and adds a short bio and
information on how to foster or
adopt each animal.
1. When did you start Together
Fureverr?
MM: I started Together Fureverr
a few months ago. I was taking
photos of my sister’
s dog and it just
clicked. I thought “this dog is a res-
cue; it would have been really nice
to see a photo of this dog when
it was adopted instead of a photo
behind bars.” So, I decided to reach
out and try it with one rescue, and
now it has picked up.
2. You recently held a fundraiser.
What do you plan to do with the
money?
MM: The money will be split even-
ly between four different rescues.
They’
ll use it for food, helping with
vet bills and toys — the supplies
that they really need.
3. Are animals and animal adop-
tion your passion?
MM: Yes. It didn’
t used to be
until I started this. It is all I think
about. It’
s cool because my friends
are starting to get involved, and
one of my friends just adopted one
of the dogs I took photos of. My
passion is spreading to my group
and my community.
4. How does it feel to have people
find an animal through you?
MM: It feels awesome to not
only help the animals but help the
people and the family that is now
bringing in a new family member.
It’
s exciting — I get excited when
these animals get adopted. If I
know the people adopting them, I
can also keep up with the animal
once it is adopted.
5. Do you have animals of your
own that you rescued?
MM: My sister’
s dog is a rescue,
but I don’
t have a dog of my own
… yet. I kind of count all these
dogs as mine. One day I will have
my own dog. I just need to find the
right one that bonds with me.
6. What are your goals for
Together Fureverr? What do you
hope it grows into?
MM: Right now, it’
s sort of just
a passion project. Hopefully in
the future it can become a rescue.
Together Fureverr could be the
rescue instead of just the photogra-
pher. I would be bringing in dogs
and helping them get adopted,
using my passion and nonprofit
background to find them homes. ■
MICHAEL PEARCE JN INTERN
Mimi Marcus
COURTESY OF MIMI MARCUS