WELL.... That was a LOT!!!

I wanted to take a moment to speak directly to you.

Without polish, without practice; just me and my overly emotional, grateful, humbled, and often unhinged heart!

Wow… 2025. (Full stop.)

That was something else, am I right?

Honestly, I’m ready to see this year done and over with. I’m clinging to hope that 2026 brings an upswing. More light, more kindness, and a renewed sense of possibility.

This was our hardest year yet for two very real reasons:

1.    People were hurting more than ever.

2.    Donations were lower than they have ever been.

Beyond the tragedies and natural disasters of this year, there was something else that felt just incredibly heavy. An overwhelming sense of hopelessness, division, and even anger. I certainly felt overcome and almost helpless at times… and I feel like most of us did.

Oh, how I wish people could learn from our animals.

There is no strength in hate. None. You cannot, and will not, heal, influence, or even remotely change someone’s heart with ugly. I promise you, there is a better way.

I want you to know this: your support during this season mattered more than ever. In moments when we were drowning and unsure of our next steps, you showed up. Together, we found a way forward.

Because of that support, countless animals and families were changed for the better. And those changes didn’t stop within our gates or with just those lives; they rippled outward in ways we may never fully see. Because of you, we absolutely made a real, tangible difference in this world.

Our work has never been about the number of animals we save. It’s about the number of lives we inspire with our special-needs rescue animals walking (or rolling) right alongside us!

The families devastated by loss.

Loss of life. Loss of homes. Loss of control.

The children who fight every day just to feel seen, heard, remembered, or even take their next breath. 

The animals and children who once knew nothing but fear and harm came together here to show each other compassion, resilience, and unconditional kindness.

This year tested our hearts, our strength, and our mission beyond anything we could have imagined. And yet, here we are. Still standing. Still believing. Still choosing hope.

We crunched the numbers this year and did some surprisingly complicated math! Budget totals broken down by months, weeks, days, hours, and finally… minutes.

As a result we are closing out 2025 by asking for one simple thing:

Help us fund one minute of Safe in Austin’s magic in 2026.

When we looked at our budget, the cost of keeping this place running- feeding, caring, healing, and showing up, came out to just over a dollar a minute. So instead of asking you to do math, we’re keeping it simple.

One dollar. One minute. Actual magic.

One minute where an animal is fed.

One minute where a child feels safe.

One minute where healing is happening. Quietly, powerfully, and most importantly… together.

A gift of $10 funds 10 minutes.

$60 funds an hour.

$1,440 funds an entire day of Safe in Austin in 2026.

As a final, tax-deductible gift of 2025, would you consider helping us fund a minute of hope, love, and healing?

It is my life’s mission, along with my people and my animals, to help carry the weight of the lives that come through our gates. But it is my profound honor to do that work alongside all of you.

Donate Here

Paypal: Safeinaustin@gmail.com

Venmo: @safeinaustin

Checks Mailed: Safe in Austin 14601 Honeycomb Dr. Leander, TX 78641

Wishing you the happiest of New Years, and endless thanks for being part of our story; one minute, one life, and one act of love at a time.

Jamie

AKA- Crazy animal lady, and proud beyond words Founder of Safe in Austin Rescue Ranch!