Six years ago, I took the leap to establish CARE STL, and it just so happens that my birthday, July 25th, marks CARE STL's founding day as well. Reflecting on this journey, I must admit it has been incredibly challenging. Whenever I question why I embarked on this path, the answer becomes clear when I think about the 13,858 lives we have saved since July 25, 2018. The journey of saving lives has become increasingly difficult, and I struggle to put into words just how tough it can be. Everyone seems to have an opinion on how I should operate my rescue, but ultimately, I am reminded of my initial drive - to save lives.