From Shelter Volunteer to Social Media Sensation

From Shelter Volunteer to Full-Time Storyteller

For Isabel Klee, loving dogs was never just a hobby — it was the thread that quietly shaped her entire adult life. While studying English and creative writing in college, she spent her free hours volunteering at a Manhattan animal shelter, finding grounding and purpose in time spent with dogs who needed care, patience, and attention.

A Career Detour Becomes a Turning Point

After college, Klee worked alongside a dog photographer, traveling and documenting rescue dogs across New York and beyond. The pay wasn’t great, but the mission was. When she unexpectedly lost that job on the eve of her 30th birthday, she made a risky but defining decision: instead of searching for another position, she would try to build something of her own centered on helping dogs and telling their stories.

Fostering Goes Viral

That leap of faith coincided with a new apartment, a backyard, and a renewed commitment to fostering dogs. Klee began documenting the fostering process on social media — the nervous first moments, small victories, medical recoveries, and joyful adoptions. One early video unexpectedly went viral, sparking an emotional connection between viewers and the foster dog’s journey. The response confirmed what she had always believed: people want to care when they can see the story unfold.

Building Impact Through Compassion

Since then, Klee has fostered nearly 30 medical and behavioral cases, helped raise more than half a million dollars for animal welfare organizations, partnered with major brands, and grown a massive online following. Her work has also led to the publication of her memoir, sharing the emotional realities behind rescue work.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

Klee’s story is a reminder that meaningful careers don’t always follow traditional paths. By starting small, staying consistent, and centering compassion, she turned a love for animals into a platform that saves lives — and brings hope to millions watching from afar.