Youth's generosity inspires on Giving Tuesday

PONDERAY — It's a dog's life — and a cat's, and every other critter out there.

Just ask Augie Fisher, who launched his pet-focused cafe in 2021 as a way to raise money to help pets at Better Together Animal Alliance find their forever homes. 

A Dog's Latte, Fisher's roadside cafe, sold baked goods, lemonade, and other treats. Passersby could stop in and support his cause. In October 2021, he stopped by BTAA to make a donation of $34.37, which grew to $60 thanks to a match from his granddad.

Augie Fisher — and A Dog's Latte — will be at BTAA's animal care center, 870 Kootenai Cutoff Road, from 3 to 5 p.m. today to raise money for animals in need. The event is part of the alliance's Giving Tuesday campaign. Held the first Tuesday after Black Friday, Giving Tuesday encourages people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity and has grown into a global phenomenon.

Fisher was first invited to move his cafe to BTAA for a pop-up event after dropping off his donation in 3031. At that event, Fisher helped the animal shelter raise $7,000 during the after-Thanksgiving event.

"Augie Fisher wanted to help animals," Mandy Evans, BTAA executive director, said. "At just 9 years old, he knew animals needed new homes, food, shelter, and veterinary care, so he took action to raise money to help. He started a roadside cafe called A Dog's Latte."

When a local couple heard about what he was doing, they pledged to match everything he raised, up to $5,000," Evans said. When the day arrived, he set up his cafe in the lobby of the BTAA animal care center, stocked with delicious treats like popcorn balls, lemon bars, and hot chocolate. 

"The community heard about the event, and people from around our region made donations and stopped by to donate in exchange for one of Augie's delicious treats," Evans said.

By 2022, a spark was ignited, and Fisher and the animal shelter raised $10,000, again matched by the same local couple. This year, the couple has pledged to match up to $15,000, Evans said.

Fisher got the idea for the roadside cafe as a way to raise funds to help animals at BTAA have everything they need while they wait for adoption. Initially opened in his room, A Dog's Latte soon moved to the end of his grandparents' driveway in Sagle because it offered a better location.

Fisher doesn't advertise the stand; after all, much of when it's open depends on when he sleeps over at his grandparents' house or when he teams up with BTAA.

BTAA officials said they love seeing Fisher's passion for helping others and treasure the partnership.

"Augie has inspired me and so many others to be generous and to take action to help the causes you care about," Evans said. He's an example of philanthropy, of service, and of doing your small part to make our world a little better."

    Mandy Evans, director of Better Together Animal Alliance, poses for a photo with Polka, one of the facility's guests looking for its forever home.