Inspiring Teenager Feeds Thousands of Pets

By Diane Herbst, DivineCaroline via Tonic

Mimi Ausland, the junior high-schooler who invented Freekibble.com, is personally responsible for feeding thousands of dogs and cats in shelters across America. Today, there’s an easy way for you to help her do even more.

When she was a toddler, Mimi Ausland loved animals so much her parents called her Dr. Doolittle. At her home in Bend, Oregon, Mimi rescued injured birds and fish, even spiders. At the age of seven, told she was too young to work at the local Humane Society, Mimi started mailing spare change to the shelter. “She just has this huge heart and it plays out with animals,” says her father, Kelly, forty-eight. “She’s always been protective and passionate about animals.”

In 2008, Mimi, now thirteen, shared her passion with the world in a big way, developing an online trivia game called Freekibble.com and FreekibbleKat.com with the help of her mom and dad. Players answer one question about dogs, another about cats, and whether right or wrong, ten pieces of kibble per question are donated to a shelter by a holistic pet food maker.

How much pet food could actually be raised ten bits at a time, you ask?

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kye J.

1:41AM PST on Jan 10, 2012

Well done Mimi.We need more young people like you

send a green star

Robert H.

9:35PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Gives me hope for the the future! Wish there were a 1000 Mimis.

Beth H.

1:46PM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Mimi, I click on your site everyday. You are truly amazing and I'm sure your parents are so proud. I'm very proud of you! Keep up the great work and never let anyone discourage you from your dreams!!!

New G.

11:58PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

I also love sites like these. Thanks to those who start and run them.

Mare R.

8:27PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

I VISIT THE SITE EVERY DAY, SO GLAD TO HEAR YOUR STORY.

Marie W.

7:27PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Maybe the old adage is true, both good and evil start young.

Mel M.

6:16PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

That is wonderful.

Kristina C.

8:05AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Thank you Mimi - I saved the site and will visit every day!

Alicia v.

6:27AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

I'm subscribed in Freekibble, it's great. This girl is so grand, I'm sure her parents had great part in her being so spiritual. But sometimes doesn't work, so the fact of her being so beautiful at heart is because her heart is sweet and active towards the voiceless. Hooray!!

Ruth S.

6:15AM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Mimi, you have one of the most beautiful souls I have seen or heard of, may God bless you, keep up the good work.

I go to her site everyday.