Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Riedel.
Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Karen, and I’ve been rescuing animals for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I felt a deep, intuitive connection to animals—especially the ones that were overlooked or in need. That calling has guided my life ever since.
For the past five years, I’ve focused on rescuing dogs from heartbreaking, often life-threatening situations. I specialize in taking in the most difficult cases—those who are critically ill, pregnant, abused, or at risk of euthanasia. Many of these dogs come to me just hours before their time is up in local shelters. Partnering with SPOT (Saving Pets One at a Time), an all-volunteer rescue group in North County, has made it possible to expand our reach and save even more lives.
My husband—my high school sweetheart—and I have been married for 40 years. We’ve built a life around love, family, and rescue. Together with our two children and four grandchildren, our family helps with everything from fostering to attending adoption events. Our grandkids think it’s perfectly normal for “Grandma” to have a house full of animals—and they’re usually right.
About five years ago, with my husband’s support, we converted our one-car garage into a fully equipped rescue room. It’s climate-controlled and painted with a sky-blue ceiling to create a calm, open atmosphere. It’s also home to our two special-needs rabbits: Ruby, an amputee and foster fail, and her mate River, who is blind in one eye.
The rescue room is rarely empty. I typically foster pregnant dogs and newborn litters several times a year. At times, I’ve cared for litters battling serious illnesses like Parvo, which has meant quarantining our home for months to protect others.
Currently, I’m caring for a mama cat and her three kittens, one of whom has a birth deformity I’m treating daily.
But I quickly realized I could save even more lives by building a network. So I became a foster mentor. I now support 5–8 foster families, guiding them through everything from vet appointments and vaccinations to adoptions and meet-and-greets. I act as their support system, helping them feel confident and empowered in their role.
Rescue work isn’t easy—but it is incredibly rewarding. The animals I help are often the ones no one else would take. Seeing them heal, find love, and go on to live full lives is a gift I never take for granted.
At SPOT, we are more than a rescue group—we’re a family of passionate advocates. We host spay/neuter clinics, educate the community, and continue to support adopters long after a pet goes home.
Together, we’re proving that love, commitment, and community can change lives—one pet at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Rescue work can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with a heavy emotional toll. Witnessing animals suffer—day after day—takes a deep toll on my heart. No matter how many times I see it, it never gets easier to watch them endure pain or neglect, especially knowing that I can’t save them all. That helplessness stays with me.
One of the hardest parts is that rescue is a 24/7 commitment. It doesn’t pause for holidays, vacations, or even sleep. My friends and family are used to me stepping away from dinners or missing events altogether to respond to a call. Many of them say rescue has taken over my life—and they’re probably right.
It’s rare for me to have a completely uninterrupted day. Leaving the house for any extended time is difficult, especially because several of the animals I care for—those deemed unadoptable—live in my home. My life has become a constant balancing act between love, duty, and exhaustion.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I will be retiring from Vista Unified School District on June 30, 2025, after 38 years of dedicated service. Throughout my tenure, I’ve had the privilege of working at many sites across the district, and I take pride in the contributions I’ve made to benefit our schools and community.
For the past six years, I served as the Bond Accountant for Measure LL, overseeing complex financial reporting and compliance to support the district’s capital projects.
As I approach retirement, I’m genuinely excited about stepping away from the daily juggling act of work, rescue responsibilities, and family life—and finally giving my full attention to what’s most important to me.
What matters most to you? Why?
It’s important to me that I remain a voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. I’m often the one constantly reminding others to spay and neuter their pets, the one who will always stop to help an animal in need, and the one who never gives up on the forgotten or abandoned.
Saving animals isn’t just something I do — it’s who I am. And I’ll keep doing it for as long as I live.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spotsavespets.org
