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