Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Niño.
Hi Felicia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a proud Mexican American Air Force brat, born at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, with quite an ever-changing childhood. It wasn’t always easy to adjust to new schools, new friends, and new cultures, but my experiences shaped me into a resilient, adaptable, and deeply compassionate woman. From Del Rio, Texas, to the breathtaking island of Terceira in the Azores, Portugal, and later the snowy seasons of Fairborn, Ohio, I grew up surrounded by incredible landscapes, delicious cuisine, and people from every background. Those experiences taught me how to connect quickly, listen deeply, and appreciate every moment.
When my dad retired from the Air Force, our family returned to San Antonio, where I graduated from John Marshall High School, earned my Associate’s Degree from Northwest Vista College, and completed my Bachelor’s in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).
At the time, my dream was to pursue a career in professional wrestling, specifically as a WWE commentator or interviewer. However, during my final semester at UTSA, my career goals evolved. I interned at the San Antonio Humane Society (SAHS), and that experience opened my eyes to the world of animal welfare. I’ve always loved animals and grew up with our beautiful family cat, Lilly, but didn’t fully understand the concept of animal shelters or how deeply they impacted the community. I learned about how many stray pets live in our city, the importance of spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchips, and the power of humane education, all of which completely changed my perspective. I started to see how much support families often need to care for their pets, and how much compassion and outreach are necessary to positively impact our community.
After completing my internship, I was offered a position as a Public Relations Assistant, and jumped at the opportunity. I spent the next 11–12 years with the SAHS, growing from a PR Assistant to Volunteer Program Supervisor, then to Communication Associate, and finally to Director of Communication. It was one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. I increased our media reach, participated in hundreds, if not thousands, of interviews, shared countless stories about resilient pets, advocated for community support, and built lifelong bonds with staff, volunteers, and the pets who came through our doors. It was eye-opening, humbling, and transformative.
When I eventually transitioned from the SAHS, I joined Endeavors, a national nonprofit serving military families, active-duty service members, and Veterans. As a daughter of an Air Force Veteran, it was an honor to help those who have given so much for each of us, and I found this work deeply personal.
Now, after almost three years with the Animal Defense League of Texas (ADL), my journey in animal welfare has deepened in ways I never expected. These past few years have been incredibly rewarding and incredibly difficult.
As I’ve worked to grow our media reach, elevate our brand, and fundraise for pets in need, my husband and I have been experiencing profound personal grief. After years together since my SAHS days, four of our dogs faced cancer and other illnesses, and sadly, crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Browny, Duke, Sherlock, and Beefy will forever be a part of our journey, and each loss reminds me why this work matters so much. Our pets are our family, and losing them leaves a space in our heart that never fully heals.
Today, we share our loving home with three beautiful cats, Beatrix, Faye, and Spike, who were born in our backyard and whom we rescued and fostered ourselves. We also have our senior pup and SAHS alumni, Pluto, a gentle soul who loves to cuddle and sing along to worship songs.
Our young pup, Brock Dukes, an ADL alumni and Parvo survivor, came to us after being transferred from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS). His journey has been an emotional rollercoaster. Each time I tried to meet him, he seemed to be fading, getting worse, and I worried he wouldn’t make it. Thanks to our incredible ADL medical team who provided around the clock care, he slowly began to improve. When we finally met, I felt an immediate connection. Today, Brock is thriving, learning from his big brother, and bringing pure joy to our family.
My husband recently expressed interest in a sweet pup from ACS, so we reached out and began fostering her through their program. Likely hit by a car, this little lady, now named Chama, has grown from a nervous, shy gal into a confident, toy‑stealing, treat‑loving companion who will soon become a permanent part of our family.
All of our fur babies are constant reminders of resilience, hope, and the power of second chances.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the hardest parts of working in animal welfare is seeing just how many pets in our community are out there on their own, wandering the streets without a home, without food, without medical care, and without anyone to show them the love they deserve. It’s impossible not to feel the weight of that. Every stray pet represents a story we’ll never fully know, a life that’s been harder than it should have been, and a reminder of how much work still needs to be done.
It’s equally heartbreaking to see the pets who come into our shelter after experiencing neglect or abuse. Some arrive scared, shut down, or physically hurting. Others have never known what it feels like to be cared for, to have a soft bed to lie on or a scrumptious meal to fill their tummy. Looking into their eyes, knowing they’ve endured so much through no fault of their own, is something that stays with you.
I’ve cried, laughed, and fallen in love more times than I can count, and knowing that my work helps create forever families is what keeps me inspired every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a communications professional for close to 20 years, with 15 of those years in animal welfare, my work at ADL is rooted in connection, education, and advocacy. No two days are ever the same. Some days I’m promoting adoptable pets, helping them get the visibility they need to find their families. Other days, I’m building connections with partners to increase our reach in the community via family-friendly events, TV interviews, radio segments, podcasts, advertisements, etc. while sharing information about our low-cost or free services. I also craft stories that showcase the resilience of the pets we serve, inspiring the community to support our mission.
Whether I’m speaking with a family at an adoption event, bathing and prepping pets for their TV debut, or comforting a scared pet, I’m proud to lead with empathy and vulnerability. I want people to feel why I care so deeply about animal welfare, and I hope that connection inspires them to adopt, foster, volunteer, and donate.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Compassion is the quality that has been most essential to my success. It guides how I make decisions, build trust, and show up for my team, the pets we serve, and our community. It shapes every story I tell and serves as the foundation that allows my other values, integrity, adaptability, humility, transparency, and teamwork, to thrive. These values were shaped by my incredible parents, my experiences moving and traveling around the world, and the countless pets and people who have touched my life.
Contact Info:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicianino
