In Focus | Kristina Poynter

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Kristina Poynter.

Where are you from and how long have you lived in Kelowna?
I am from Vancouver, but I have lived in Kelowna since 2006.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My husband Matt and our two kids, Lucy and Logan. Okay that's three, but they're all my favourite!

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
New York! I love big cities and New York seems like a great place to explore.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Tail Blazers. Their products and service are amazing.

What is your favourite activity?
I love participating in the BARK program with my bulldog, Tugboat. It's a therapy dog program aimed at making students feel less stressed. It's amazing.

If you had to choose: pizza, tacos, or burgers?
Can I choose all three?

What is a hidden gem you enjoy in the Okanagan?
Roo Phelps' 'She Shed'.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
One of my dogs peed on someone at the dog park. I was mortified.

What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I think everyone who has come together to make Paws It Forward what it is today has inspired me more than anything. Seeing so many people commitment to helping out is truly wonderful.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
My favourite memories come from spending my summers at Canim Lake with my family. It’s a great lake and the cabin has no cell reception, no TV and no internet. It's heaven.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I am one of the board members of Paws It Forward Dog Rescue in Kelowna. I also volunteer at BARK.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would love it if everyone would spay and neuter their pets...

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
Being outside enjoying all the outdoor activities Kelowna has to offer.

Where would you sneak away to in Kelowna to spend some time alone?
I love hiking the Crawford Trails.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
I would love to have a summer where no one leaves their dog in a hot car.

If you were granted one wish for work or in life, what would it be?
To have the funds to build a dog rescue sanctuary. Our rescue relies heavily on foster homes but a facility would mean we could rescue many more.

Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I love sewing. A lot.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Paws It Forward Dog Rescue.

What does your business do?
We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs (and the odd cat).

How do people connect with you through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest)
Facebook

Why did you get into/start this business?
In 2011, Charlotte Middleton and I had a crazy idea to start a dog rescue. We both love dogs and wanted to make a difference in the number without homes. The whole thing just snowballed from there!

What is the goal of your business?
To rescue, rehabilitate and re-home dogs. We also aim to spay and neuter as many as possible!

What has been your biggest struggle either in work or life?
Trying to fundraise enough money to cover the Paws It Forward vet bills. This last year alone our bills totalled around $65,000.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
100% the same.

Give someone that you think deserves it a shout out and explain why.
There are three people all equally deserving of a shout out. Charlotte Middleton, Jilly-Ann Gibson and Brogan Whatley. These three ladies and I run Paws It Forward together and wow, they are all super heroes.

My nomination for the In Focus spotlight is:
Ian Atkinson of Kelowna Photo Editing. He has helped out Paws It Forward with lots of our media and he does a great job.

Other information you would like to share:
I said it once already, but it's worth repeating. Please spay and neuter your pets.

We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE. Thank you, Kelowna.