Paws-itive Press
Christie’s Critters – Doing Great Things for Animals
By Barbara Masi
Krista Martinelli was looking to expand coverage of all things about animals and she asked me to write a bi-monthly column for AroundWellington.com. I was delighted as it has been a while since I have had a local column. Animals are my passion and many of those championing animal issues are my friends.
I am currently working on a half dozen columns, but will also be accepting suggestions on what you would like to see covered. In process are columns about the people behind local animal businesses and organizations, interviewing those with exotic pets, covering the making of a service animal, talking with those in the equestrian community and, of course, mentioning the adoptable and pet dogs and cats. You may reach me at GreyhoundGoddess@AroundWellington.com or barbaramasi@comcast.net.
This month I would like to feature a local dynamo in the animal rescue community, Christie Coulter, Founder and President of Christie’s Critters Foundation (incorporated May, 2013). Although Christie does not physically save the animals herself, her foundation assists local not-for-profit animal rescues and re-homing organizations with fundraising activities. Those who run the smaller shelters or foster and adoption programs are always in need of assistance creating awareness of what they do and how the community can help. Christie is there to function as an outreach for these groups that are working in the day to day care of the animals and cannot always devote sufficient time to fundraising.
In 2014 Christie’s organization was instrumental in collecting food, toys, leashes, collars and crates for 10 Palm Beach County rescue organizations in time for Christmas, so the homeless animals would not be forgotten for the holiday. She donated food to incoming rescues to Palm Beach County with Pilots n Paws and Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue.
Christie’s Critters’ Take Me Home Zone at Paws in the Park (formerly Petapalooza) features over 25 local rescue organizations as well as non-profits dedicated to the well-being of animals. The Christie’s Critters Take Me Home Zone recently took second place for Community Outreach at the Florida Festivals and Events Association Awards.
The foundation is highly supportive of the National Canine Cancer Foundation – working on the Bark and Bowl event held annually here in the Palm Beaches. Having lost CiCi, one of her beloved labs to that disease in 2011, she supports their research through donations.
Currently, in association with Woof Gang Bakery stores throughout Palm Beach County, Christie’s Critters is fundraising to sponsor HERO – a retired racing greyhound being trained as a service dog for a veteran in need – through Awesome Greyhound Adoptions and the Hounds and Heroes program.
Many of you will recognize Christie’s name (and certainly her voice) from her work as a DJ on SUNNY radio 107.9 FM here in the Palm Beaches, known as Christie Banks on the radio. She has been in radio from Miami to Charleston, SC to Philadelphia to San Diego to Washington, DC to Dallas to Orlando and to Ft.Myers. She landed back in South FL in 2008 where she went to work for SUNNY. An avid Steeler fan (born in Pittsburgh), she has been married for three years to Curt Coulter and they currently have three rescue dogs – two Labs and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.
Plaudits to Christie for her love of animals and her decision to help the efforts of many local animal advocacy groups. Check out ChristiesCritters.orgfor more information.
© Barbara Masi 2015
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Barbara Masi has been a resident of Boynton Beach for 35 years and an animal advocate all her life. Although having many breeds of dogs in the past, she has devoted the last 15 years to the re-homing of retired racing greyhounds and is the founder of a group that trains them as service dogs and donates them to veterans. Barbara works with local school children in educating them about animal kindness and anti-bullying through PBSO’s Animal Kindness Unit. Through her employment, she has the opportunity to interact with a variety of local animal groups and businesses, allowing her to share their knowledge of all animals to us at AroundWellington.com.