The Heart Behind the Process: How Structure Fuels Compassion at Saving Great Animals

2025-10-12

In this episode of Tails of Resilience, we sit down with Jacintha Sayed, Director of Saving Great Animals, a Seattle-based rescue that has helped more than 8,500 dogs find their forever homes since 2007. Jacintha shares how she turned a one-time foster experience into a lifelong calling—bringing her corporate expertise in systems and processes into the rescue world to build an organization that’s as effective as it is compassionate. She opens up about the real challenges facing rescues tod...

In this episode of Tails of Resilience, we sit down with Jacintha Sayed, Director of Saving Great Animals, a Seattle-based rescue that has helped more than 8,500 dogs find their forever homes since 2007.

Jacintha shares how she turned a one-time foster experience into a lifelong calling—bringing her corporate expertise in systems and processes into the rescue world to build an organization that’s as effective as it is compassionate.

She opens up about the real challenges facing rescues today—from burnout and difficult conversations to the emotional toll of an overburdened system. Through it all, Jacintha remains grounded in her purpose, embodying resilience through calm leadership, collaboration, and hope.

Whether you’re part of the rescue community or simply love hearing stories of people living out their purpose, this conversation is a reminder that structure and heart can coexist—and that resilience often shows up quietly, in those who keep showing up day after day.

Listen in for an honest, heartfelt look at what it takes to lead with both courage and compassion in animal rescue.

⚠️ Trigger Warning:
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health challenges related to trauma and high-stress caregiving roles, as well as references to animal suffering and death. Listener discretion is advised.

🔗 Featured Rescue:

Saving Great Animals

Website: https://savinggreatanimals.org/

Facebood: https://www.facebook.com/SGADogRescue/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/savinggreatanimals/

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvHI6XB9gzicgQtieOf9PWg

🌟 Links + Resources: