Meet Thalia Haseotes | Founder, Director of Cold Noses Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thalia Haseotes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thalia, what inspires you?
I am inspired to do my work when I see animals suffering. The eyes of an animal speak volumes and when I look into their eyes I am moved to action. They are selfless and forgiving, so forgiving, more than we humans deserve. I am inspired by the fact that the human race has an obligation to care for every creature on earth because we are the one species that is responsible for so much damage to other species. Finally, I am inspired by the perseverance of the rescuers who go, everyday, rain or shine, to help animals in need. These people are special.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Cold Noses funds animal rescues and shelters all over the world. We have a strong presence in the Everglades area with the formation of our Everglades Animals Coalition. Here, we fund rescues, medical care and low or no cost veterinary services to help keep animals with their families and get help for those who are abandoned. We also fund a regular transport effort to get dogs and cats into loving homes along the Northeast. Our main goal is to get large humane societies and the small rescuers to work collaboratively on their efforts. Often, there is drama and differences of opinions that lead these individuals and organizations to work separately- but we all want the same thing- to help animals in need! So our efforts are focused right not on getting some cohesion among all rescuers in and around this central and south Florida area. We are different than most animal charities because we are all-volunteer and we fund only small, boots on the ground rescues all over the world. Then we follow the funding with reporting to ensure donor funds are going to the animals as intended! We are a great vehicle for people to be able to help animals all over the world without worrying if their donation is actually getting to the animal projects.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, we would take them to Mangos! The music and nightlife is the best and so much fun! We would hang out for the day on South Beach and enjoy some wonderful Italian food and shops. Then we would take a tour through the Everglades area to show them the dire need for accessible and affordable animal care. Then we would take them to Miami Dade Shelter to show them how important it is to try everything they can before re-homing an animal and to spay and neuter their pets.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who help me in my efforts on a daily basis. First and foremost is my mom! Not only is she a fantastic mother who helped nurture my love of animals, but she is also the Cold Noses Vice President and Co-Founder. She has been instrumental in all things Cold Noses Foundation and because of her desire to help Animals in the Florida Everglades, we started the Everglades Animals Coalition (EAC) with The Pegasus Foundation and Pets Broward. My mom, Joyce, pushed to have us focus much of our efforts on the EAC, and we would not even exist in this way without her!

Also, The Pegasus Foundation has been a great mentor for us. Barbara Birdsey and the Pegasus Foundation have introduced me to so many amazing people and groups. Barbara has taught me a great deal about how the grant-making industry works!

Website: https://evergladesanimalscoalition.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evergladesanimals/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Evergladesanimalscoalition/

Other: https://www.coldnosesfoundation.org/