Meet Heydi

We recently connected with Heydi and have shared our conversation below.

Heydi, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I did it for the animals. I knew that no matter how many things got in my way or how many obstacles I encountered, the animals still needed me. I couldn’t give up because I had to do it for them. There wasn’t anyone else who would do it if I didn’t. I had committed to helping them because they can’t help themselves.

Every time things got hard, I reminded myself why I started — for the faces that look up at me with trust, for the lives that depend on someone caring enough to fight for them. In a world that isn’t built for their wellbeing, I had to be what they need. I had to be their voice, their protector, their second chance.

My resilience comes from knowing that every effort, every late night, every heartbreak matters if it means one more animal is safe. They give me purpose, and that purpose gives me strength.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

We’re a nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to helping both animals and the community. At our core, we focus on rescuing, rehabilitating, and adopting out animals — connecting them with their perfect forever homes. Every animal we help deserves to know love, safety, and care, and we make sure that when they leave us, they’re going to a family ready to give them exactly that.

But our work doesn’t stop there. We also focus on giving back to the community in every way we can. We donate food, pet supplies, clothing, and even furniture to families and individuals in need. If there’s something we can give to make someone’s life — or their pet’s life — a little better, we do it.

We host adoption events year-round, where people can meet our adoptable animals and learn about our mission. We also take part in community outreach events, always looking for new ways to support and uplift the people around us.

What makes our organization so special is the heart behind it — a team of dedicated volunteers, fosters, and supporters who truly believe that compassion can change lives, both human and animal alike. Every day, we see that kindness makes a difference, and that’s what keeps us going.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have been determination, empathy, and compassion.

Empathy and compassion are at the core of everything we do. Being able to truly connect with the animals on another level — to see the world through their eyes — changes everything. They didn’t ask to be where they are or to be treated the way they were. It’s not their fault that people failed them, and that’s why we take it upon ourselves to help them heal and find better lives.

Determination is what keeps us going. Rescue work isn’t easy — animals pass, staff move on, and unexpected challenges happen all the time. But no matter what, we can’t let those hardships stop us. We can’t stop helping others because something hard happened; we have to keep pushing forward.

For anyone starting their own journey — whether in rescue or any field of service — my advice is to hold onto your “why.” Let your purpose guide you through the difficult moments. Stay determined, stay compassionate, and never forget that even small acts of kindness can create real change.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The biggest challenge we’re currently facing is the rising cost of veterinary care and the lack of accessible resources for people to get their animals spayed and neutered. This issue is at the heart of why rescues like ours have to exist in the first place.

When people can’t afford to have their pets fixed, it leads to unwanted litters — and those animals often end up on the streets or in shelters. Many are surrendered when they grow out of their “cute puppy” stage, when behavior or medical issues arise, or when owners simply can’t handle the responsibility anymore. The cycle keeps repeating, and the animals are the ones who suffer.

Vetting has become unaffordable for many families, and prices seem to keep climbing. Even those who genuinely want to do the right thing and care for their pets often just don’t have the financial means to do so.

That’s why one of our biggest goals right now is to open a low-cost spay and neuter clinic. We want to help make preventative care accessible for everyone — because ending the cycle starts with giving people the tools and resources to do better. We’re working hard to make that a reality, and we truly believe it will create lasting change for both the animals and the community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mercyfullprojects.org
• Instagram: mercyfullproject
• Facebook: Mercy Full Project