Remarkable Women: Ruth Thompson
Ruth Thompson is no stranger to JET 24 viewers.
We see her every week in our Jet Pet segments, highlighting shelter animals and usually making us laugh.
Unfortunately, she's also brought us heartbreaking stories of animal abuse and neglect.
Thompsom started the Association for Needy and Neglected Animals, or the ANNA Shelter, in June 2004.
The nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter has become a vital resource in our community.
'When I started the shelter, I literally wanted something really small, something I could do myself literally. That obviously has not happened, 39 employees later. We handle about 10,000 animals a year,' said Thompson.
For the past 21 years, Thompson has worked tirelessly to rescue unwanted, abused, neglected and stray animals, all while being a full-time mom, starting a successful for-profit business she started in her early 20s and helping her family at Rosebud Flower Shop.
'I try to stress this to my daughter, you know, to get up in the morning and feel good about what you do, to have a purpose,' said Thompson.
And despite the physical, mental and emotional toll running an animal shelter can have, Thompson said she wouldn't change a thing.
'I think that's the ticket. Find what you're passionate about,' she said.
Ruth Thompson — Truly a remarkable woman.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pet owners will soon be able to honor pets at new Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden
Soon, Millcreek Township will have its own Rainbow Bridge Memorial Garden for pet owners to remember and grieve their pets that have passed on. Debbie Garcia is spearheading the project with Ruth Thompson of the ANNA Shelter. Two weeks left to 'Glow Wild' at Erie Zoo centennial celebration The project has been approved by Millcreek Township and will be located at Scott Park. The Rainbow Bridge is a symbolic place where pet owners cross in the afterlife to meet up with their pets. People can memorialize their pets by purchasing bricks. All net proceeds will benefit the ANNA Shelter and go towards food, medical care and other essentials. See an increase in bugs? Here's what they are 'It will be a pretty good-sized patio with memorial bricks that we will place. It's going to be a serene place for people to go and reflect and remember their pets,' said Garcia. The memorial bricks went on sale Tuesday. Those who would like to purchase one can do so by clicking here. The project should be complete by October. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Yahoo
Klay Thompson Dealt Personal Loss
Klay Thompson Dealt Personal Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The last few years, for the most part, haven't been very kind to Klay Thompson. He tore his ACL during the 2019 NBA Finals, a year after winning his third world championship in four seasons, and he had to miss all of the 2019-20 season. Then prior to the following campaign, he tore his Achilles. Advertisement After missing two full seasons, he helped the Golden State Warriors get another ring in 2022, but he wasn't the same player. He left to join the Dallas Mavericks last summer, but the Mavericks failed to reach the playoffs this year. Off the court, Thompson is reportedly facing another type of adversity with the passing of his beloved 13-year-old dog, Rocco. Although elite pro athletes such as Thompson have seemingly all the money in the world and all the freedom to do whatever they want, they're still flawed and sensitive souls just like the rest of us. Therefore, when one of them loses a beloved pet, it will hurt just as much as it hurts a mere mortal who makes $15 an hour. Advertisement It was thought that Thompson's arrival in Dallas would put the team over the top after it reached the NBA Finals last year. But he shot a career-low 41.2% from the field, and once Luka Doncic was traded away in early February, his level of support only dwindled. Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30).Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images One by one, one key player after another fell victim to injury. All-Star guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in early March, and that was likely the injury that sunk the Mavericks more than any other. While they're presumably about to welcome Duke phenom Cooper Flagg to their clan via next month's NBA draft, Rocco the dog is crossing the rainbow bridge. Advertisement Related: Charles Barkley's Exchange With Timothée Chalamet Catches Attention This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
EMSA releases first heat alert of 2025 for OKC
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – It's getting warmer outside as the summer months roll around. It got hot enough over the past weekend for EMSA to issue their first heat alert of the year for Oklahoma City Monday morning. EMSA is now urging caution to people spending long amounts of time outside as future rain can cause even more humidity later on. 'It is time to be prepared,' EMSA paramedic Tori Thompson said. 'Prepared' is the key word with the newest heat alert. 'Let's be proactive and not reactive,' Thompson said. EMSA crews responded to 7 heat related illness calls on Sunday alone. Three of those patients went to the hospital. Those numbers don't include what Thompson said she's seen at the Women's College World Series. 'I've been out there the last few days and we have had an extreme number of heat related illnesses out there,' Thompson said. 'The humidity is really taking a toll.' To keep yourself right side up and out of one of EMSA's gurney's, hydration should be a number one priority. 'Let's start hydrating days before we know we're going to be outside for an extended amount of time,' Thompson said. Guthrie Job Corps closing its doors due to federal budget cuts While outside, take breaks consistently, remember to wear light colored and loose fitting clothing and make sure you can find shade when you need it. If you have to, bring blankets to create that shade and don't forget to wear sunscreen. 'Don't leave anyone in a hot vehicle,' Thompson said. 'Make sure your pets have water. Don't leave them out for extended amount of time. That affects them just as it does us.' According to Thompson, this is about the time of year they normally send their first alert out. It may take some time to get acclimated, but if you prepare properly it can save your life. Don't drink too much alcohol or caffiene either. Now is also a good time to consistently check in on elderly neighbors to make sure they're doing OK. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
