Missouri REALTORS® are so much more than just real estate professionals. They dedicate their time to serving on school boards and running for elected positions. They educate, serve on panels, volunteer and facilitate industry discussions. Their philanthropic efforts are inspiring, and the difference they are making within their communities is significant. Our Member Spotlight series highlights these efforts and introduces some of our wonderful members.
This month, we are shining the Member Spotlight on Bob and Bonnie Audrain.
Bob and Bonnie, from Schneider Real Estate, and members of St. Charles REALTORS®, are changemakers and engaged community members. Outside of their real estate work, the duo is dedicated to local animal welfare. They dedicate hundreds and hundreds of hours to the Animal Protection Association of Missouri, and Cavalier Rescue USA, serving and protecting hundreds of displaced animals in the St. Louis area. In fact, Bonnie and Bob have been assisting rescue shelters by fostering dogs for several years now. They take in dogs with special needs, pregnant dogs, and their litters. To date, they have saved over 160 dogs by fostering dogs that have since been adopted by loving families all over the St. Louis area.
As APA Adoption Center volunteers, Bonnie and Bob have driven all over the state to retrieve dogs from small shelters and puppy mills. Sometimes, they even retrieve dogs that have been abandoned and temporarily housed by kind strangers. While many of these dogs have needed specialized care in rehabilitation and socializing, the Audrain’s have successfully helped several dogs become ready for their forever homes by socializing them with people and other dogs in their own home.
While taking care of these animals, Bob and Bonnie make sure they receive all their vaccinations, are kept well fed and safe, begin potty training if/when needed, and take them to be spayed or neutered prior to adoption.
Bob and Bonnie also volunteer with an organization called Duo Dogs. This organization trains dogs to be service animals to humans with special needs. They are currently a puppy raiser, fostering eight-month-old Calvin who will be returned to Duo Dogs for advanced training when he is 16-18 months old. Calvin will then be placed as a service dog for an individual, courtroom, hospital, or company that needs him to enhance the life of humans in need.
Their tireless dedication to animals in need has helped save hundreds of animal lives, reduced the stray/homeless animal population, brought joy to those who found new forever-friends that may not have otherwise survived and helped an immense number of people receive trained service dogs.
Bonnie and Bob do not boast about their deeds, nor do they look for accolades or validation. Their actions are truly intended to make the world a better place, without selfish intent.
We celebrate the Audrain’s for their leadership in the industry and their commitment to animal welfare in the state of Missouri. With years and years of volunteering under their belts, Bob and Bonnie have proven to make a real, substantial difference in their community. In more ways than one, the Audrain’s are dedicated to helping Missourians–human and animal, alike–find their forever home. We celebrate the impact they will continue to make on the St. Louis community, as well as the REALTOR® community.