20 Who Count: Trina Earl

By Kirsten Stokes

Ever since she was young, Trina Earl has advocated for animals. Her passion ultimately lead to the creation of a new rescue in Doniphan County.

In 2020, Earl held meetings throughout Doniphan County in hopes of getting a pet rescue. There wasn’t one at the time and that meant countless animals were left unattended and not properly cared for.

From her advocacy, Doniphan County Pet Rescue was formed. She currently serves as director and works with a handful of board members.

“When we started the town hall meetings, it was great to see all of the interest,” Earl said. “I’m just grateful because we’ve got some great people all throughout the county that make this happen.”

With just four kennels in operation, Earl is still busy every day. She is constantly putting the needs of the animals before her own, even if that means extra time or using personal finances to stay in operation.

“My phone is answered 24/7,” Earl said. “I get up around 6 or 7 in the morning. I start chores with the dogs because everything has to be cleaned and fed, then I do my own chores.”

Having a full-time job and a truck garden business she runs in the summer with her husband, she said for fun she works because that’s what brings her purpose and comfort.

“There’s not really a break to the end of the day,” Earl said. “I do a lot of dog training, wounded deer tracking with my deaf Border Collie or I ride horses.”

Through the last four years of rescue, Earl said she’s learned there are always more animals to save and with the limited amount of space, sometimes she has to say no.

“We’re working on getting more space, and we hope that in the future we can care for more dogs and cats,” Earl said.