Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Fuller-Wigg.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in Galveston, TX lived in that area most of my life, and moved to Austin in 2008 for college at UT. When I graduated my #1 goal was staying in Austin. I started working at a tech consulting company since 2012. I am the Vice President services at this company, Motiv. Software Consulting by day, sanctuary runner by night. In 2014, I moved to Barcelona and played a year of professional volleyball for FCBarcelona. I checked that box off of the bucket list and moved back to Austin in May 2015. My desk waited for me and I picked up where I left off at Motiv. The following year I met my wife, Angela, and we bought our first home together in Sept. 2016. Below is a blurb from our website 🙂 Love fuels the sanctuary and love started the sanctuary.
We (Angela and Chris, co-founders) and our four dogs closed on our first home in 2016 in South Austin. One week after moving in we rescued our first farm animal residents, Bertha and Cookie, a mother/daughter pair. The party really started not long after when we rescued Doya the Pig! Our dream had been realized and our passion ignited. We began rescuing more animals and building the family you will find on this page today.
In 2018, we moved to Cedar Creek, TX in order to create more space for our current residents and prepare for future rescues. A LOT has gone into Austin Farm Sanctuary in the last few years and we are incredibly overwhelmed by the support that’s allowed our dreams to flourish. We love growing our farm family and encourage you to donate, volunteer and/or visit to support these amazing animals.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
“Smooth road” haha.. It’s nice to reflect on that and consider the path to where we are today since I am often spending so much time looking forward. The run has not been smooth, certainly. It has, however, been a beautiful journey the whole way. The transition of being a young couple who’s plans were starting a little family with our pups in our large backyard to caring for 75+ full time residents and running a quickly growing non-profits comes with it roadblocks, conflicts, and struggles. There have been struggles on both the personal and sanctuary sides of the adventure thus far. From the personal side, juggling the schedules and mindsets for the different personas (the young professional, the newlywed/family wed, and the visionary for a farmed animal sanctuary) can get tricky. Making sure everything gets the love and attention it needs is a learning process. A process, I should say, that I am beyond grateful to be challenged with.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
We strive to create a positive relationship between people and farmed animals. Through this we hope to encourage mindfulness and shift the way society perceives, values and treats them. We inform people of the horror that is the modern day farm industry and educate on the personal health and environmental benefits of a plant-based/vegan lifestyle. Farmed animals are the most vulnerable animals on our planet, we created a place and a platform to keep them safe. We believe that our ability to positively impact and save animals goes beyond the boundaries of the sanctuary. Sharing the stories of our residents and inspiring change through creating deeper connections with these animals for people is large part of our mission. We believe that by exposing people to the majesty, beauty, and uniqueness of farmed animals we will be able to inspire change and create a kinder world for these individuals.
What matters most to you? Why?
Wow. Deep! Ha. First thought is that my loved ones matter most to me. My family, our residents, and close friends. Playing a role in making the world a better place by promoting kindness and giving love.
Contact Info:
- Email:Â chris@austinfarmsanctuary.org
- Website:Â austinfarmsanctuary.org
- Instagram:Â http://instagram.com/austinfarmsanctuary
- Facebook:Â https://www.facebook.com/austinfarmsanctuary
Image Credits
Sarah Jurgensen Throop
