A Letter From Our Founder

Teresa Thomas, President

Dear Friend of Animals,

My love for animals began at a very young age. We always had a houseful of dogs, cats, kittens, rabbits, and at one point, a baby goat and a pony. My dad grew up on a farm and believed animals were an important part of life. My mom was a science teacher who loved sharing our hamsters, guinea pigs, and parakeets with her students. My parents gave me something extraordinary: a childhood filled with animals and a heart that learned to love them all.

As a child, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I eventually realized I loved animals toodeeply to carry the emotional weight that profession can bring. For that same reason, I builtLove Henri as a grant-making foundation rather than a physical rescue. I want to support the extraordinary people who do the brave, important and meaningfully beautiful work every single day and help as many animals as possible in the process.

In 2023, my beloved 5-year-old miniature poodle, Henri, was diagnosed with lymphoma. Henri is more than a pet, he is family. By some miracle, he is in remission today, and every single day with him feels like a gift. He had some other health issues this year. His journey opened my eyes to a painful reality that millions of pet owners face: the cost of veterinary care has become overwhelming, forcing families to make impossible choices between their finances and the lives of the animals they love.

That same year, two tiny kittens came into our lives and stole our hearts. Oliver was rescued at seven weeks old from a hoarding situation. Poppy came to us through a wonderful cat rescue dedicated to saving cats, pregnant mothers, and their kittens from kill shelters. She is living proof of what a second chance can look like.

We lost my dad in 2024. He is the one who gifted me Henri, and in doing so, gave me so much more than a dog. He gave me the inspiration for everything Love Henri Foundation stands for. This foundation is as much a tribute to him as it is to Henri, Oliver, and Poppy.

Your donation means the world to us and to every animal and family we serve together. With your support, we can reach animals and families across the entire United States. Keeping people and pets together is the goal. People on hospice need a way to keep their pets with them through it all. People seeking shelter also need a way to stay with their pets or find quality foster care. Every animal deserves a chance at a quality life, and every family deserves support when they need it most.

With love and gratitude,

Teresa Thomas, Founder and President

Love Henri Foundation