Wendy Black fostered dogs for many years, and she always enjoyed walking them through the King William neighborhood and across the footbridge on Johnson Street. One day it struck her that the bridge itself was becoming symbolic. Around the time the dogs got the hang of their claws touching the metal surface of the bridge, they also forgot their desperate pasts and became ready to move into their happy futures. 

Shortly after this revelation, Wendy created a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and Footbridge Foundation was born. Over the last eight years, Footbridge Foundation, along with the kind and dedicated help of donors, fosters, and volunteers, has saved the lives of thousands of dogs and cats. To fund their charitable animal rescue efforts, Footbridge Foundation relies solely on the much-needed donations of generous supporters. 

In 2025 their foster-based adoption program rescued 788 dogs and cats, a 34.7% increase from 2024, prioritizing animals most at risk, including those pulled from over-burdened city shelters, urgent medical cases, and abandoned pets. Each rescue represents not just a life saved, but space created for another animal in need.

A cornerstone of Footbridge Foundation’s impact is their spay and neuter clinic program, which plays a critical role in addressing the root causes of animal overpopulation. In 2025, 1130 accessible, high-quality surgical services were provided to rescued animals, a 78.2 % increase from 2024, helping prevent future litters and reduce strain on the municipal shelter system. This proactive approach is essential to creating long-term, sustainable change.

Donations directly help the animals in need and are used to help strays and fosters with items such as low-cost spay/neuter surgery, X-rays, dental care, emergency care, surgeries for amputation, broken bones, deformities, hospice care, eye care, heart worm/lyme disease tests for dogs, treatment for parasitic diseases, FIV/FeLV testing for adoptable cats, and vaccinations, monthly flea and heart worm prevention, microchips, pet food, cat litter, collars, tags, cones, leashes, harnesses, training treats, bowls, beds, crates, carriers, traps, puppy pads, formula, bottles, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, and more. 

Contact us:
info@footbridgefoundation.org

To look at our rescues click below: 
Adopt your forever pet here!