Franny: Do you have any advice for other kids your age who want to make a difference for animals?
Mimi Ausland: I think that anyone can make a difference, especially kids because of how they have their whole life ahead of them to make a difference. (Including me!) You can help in MANY ways whether it is setting up a lemonade stand and using those profits to help the kids in India, washing cars and using that money to buy food for your local homeless shelter, making a website like freekibble.com and freerice.com, volunteering at your Humane Society or library, there are so many ways to help and you should do whatever it is that you want to do to help, just remember to do it!
Just a "Regular Kid" at Heart
Franny: What do you like to do in your "spare time" when you're not working at the shelter or with freekibble.com? Hang out with friends, play video games, sports, etc.?Mimi Ausland: My favorite things to do in my "spare time" would have to be horse back riding, hanging out with friends (usually 1 on 1) at movies, bowling or just at each others houses, playing soccer in the fall, running at the track, swimming, biking with my dad, and gardening with my mom. I also just enjoy staying at home with my family and animals and having a relaxing day!!
Franny: From my point of view it seems like the sky is the limit as far as your future goes. Can you share some of your hopes and dreams of what you'd like to do as an adult?
Mimi Ausland: I know that I want to do something with animals when I get older. I would love to own an animal sanctuary like Best Friends in Kanab, Utah. I would take in all different types of animals from dogs to pigs to horses and let them have a great life until they get adopted or even if they never do, just like Bestfriends does. I would also enjoy to do something with horses (they are one of my favorite animals). For right now though, I am fine with just helping feed homeless dogs and cats!
Franny: Is there anything else you'd like to add about your experiences since starting freekibble.com?
Mimi Ausland: Since starting freekibble.com, I now have many more interesting aspects in my life than I did before. For instance I got to be the "celebrity" judge at the HSCO Dog Show, someone came up to me while I was eating at a pizza parlor and wanted to meet me, I get e-mails from kids all over the world saying that they are inspired to do more etc.; I have been able to meet many amazing people in the animal world; I have been lucky enough to go on the Ellen and Oprah show; but most importantly I am able to feed homeless dogs and cats across the country!
Thanks to the dream of Mimi Ausland, her corporate sponsors, and visitors who come daily to answer questions and donate free kibble, over 1 million nutritious meals have been served to hungry cats and dogs in twelve shelters across the U.S., since the founding of freekibble.com. That is an accomplishment that anyone could be proud of. I have the feeling that this is only the beginning for Mimi Ausland, and I will be following her progress as she continues to make a difference for the world of animals. Gotta love this kid!
