Meet Laura Prechel | Animal Rescuer & Non-Profit President

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

Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I honestly never had the desire to start my own non-profit business. It was born out of necessity. I started saving shelter animals in a volunteer capacity and then brought my efforts under the umbrella of another non-profit because I was really resistant to starting my own thing. I didn’t want to have all of the responsibility and paperwork, etc, that’s involved with starting your own business. I just wanted to be able to focus on life-saving, without the business side. As my transport efforts grew and evolved over the years, it became clear that starting my own non-profit was the only way to really grow and scale the effort in the way that was needed. I had started transporting shelter animals in the fall of 2016, and I started Charlie’s Angels Saving Animals in 2021 with the help of two friends that I met along the way.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Charlie’s Angels Saving Animals (CASA Transport) is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as a bridge between southern shelters and northern rescues. Our mission is to save “at risk” animals from overcrowded shelters across Tennessee by transporting them out of state to our rescue partners in the north who have waiting adopters and fosters. We additionally run a low-cost spay/neuter clinic that services local shelters and rescues to combat the overpopulation problem at its source.

I’m most proud of the fact that we’ve been able to tackle companion pet overpopulation in Tennessee on two fronts. Our spay/neuter efforts stop the problem at the source by altering animals prior to adoption for our local shelter and rescue partners. We also help the animals that have the misfortune of ending up in shelters by transporting them to our northern rescue partners where they quickly find great homes. Many of these animals would have never had a second chance at life without our efforts. We are saving a very high volume of animals on a shoestring budget and with a very small group of volunteers and clinic staff. (Over 7,000 animals transported in under 3 years and over 3,800 animals altered in under 2 years!) We just launched a capital campaign to raise funds to purchase a much larger facility which will allow us to operate our clinic and transport hub simultaneously. It’s currently a challenge to operate both on the same day out of our small, rented space.

Our business has grown organically over the years and we’ve taken appropriate risks and next steps as we were able. It’s important to be realistic, while also stretching yourself a little, to achieve new heights. If you try to bite off more than you can handle early on, it’s easy to crash and burn. Succeeding takes more grit and determination, and often sweat and tears, than you would have thought possible. You have to hold true to your mission and remember why you started in the first place. Sometimes that vision is the only thing that keeps you going when things get tough.

The most important thing that I’ve learned along the way and want others to know is that one person can make a HUGE difference in this world. Follow your heart and your dreams and let them lead you to your place in this world. It will likely take more than you ever thought you could give, but it will be worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Nashville and the surrounding cities have so much to offer. There are so many historical sites to see, great music to enjoy and delicious food to eat.

I love to hit Marcy Jo’s in Columbia for some home cooking. The Pub in Nashville offers a fun experience for both food and drink and Wild Ginger is always a favorite. There are also classics like The Loveless Cafe and The Country Boy.

Carnton Plantation and Carter House offer interesting historical tours and you can’t beat a show at The Ryman, The Mulehouse, Woolworth Theatre or tons of other clubs in Nashville and beyond.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My belief that I could rescue shelter animals via transport came from watching the efforts of a couple fellow shelter volunteers. They showed me that it was possible to make a difference, even without the official backing of a rescue or shelter. It all comes down to relationships. Having the ability to form and maintain relationships is the difference between success and failure in any business.

Website: www.casatransport.org

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casatransport.org

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO4NPuwb7LDtrDhrIctLHPg