At the young age of 14, Gio Gilpin is already making a difference in the world. Inspired by the adoption of his family’s shelter dog, Muffin, Gio created the Instagram account @FetchingFutures to highlight adoptable dogs from local shelters through photos, videos and observations gathered during weekly walks and runs.
“It made me sad to think there were other dogs like Muffin stuck in kennels, waiting for their turn,” says Gio. “We saw Muffin’s happiness and his personality after months of taking care of him. I knew that he was just one dog that got lucky, and there were so many more waiting to be adopted.”
Muffin, a Bernedoodle, was confined to a cage and could barely walk when he joined the Gilpin family. His transformation inspired Gio to help other dogs have the same opportunity to find homes and heal.
“People always seem to choose little puppies or ’cute' dogs, but every dog deserves to have a family,” explains Gio. “It's like choosing a friend. You don’t choose a friend because they are tall or strong; you choose a friend because they are nice and you like to hang out with them.”
Every Saturday after swim practice, Gio and his mother head to the Humane Association of Warren County, where they walk and run with two to three shelter dogs on the trail around the facility. The outings provide exercise and socialization for the animals, but they also give Gio a chance to learn more about each dog's personality.
"We see if they are friendly, if they like kids, if loud noises scare them or if they just want belly rubs," Gio shares. "We get to see a lot of their personality that people sometimes miss inside the shelter, and it's amazing to see how calm and happy they are when they come back to the kennel.”
The commitment requires time, patience and consistency, qualities that Gio has developed through years of competitive athletics. A swimmer, runner and triathlete, he says his athletic background has helped make Fetching Futures possible.
"Sports teach you to keep showing up," Gio notes. "You don't always get it right the first time. We keep trying, and we keep showing up regardless of the weather."
That determination has not gone unnoticed by the coaches who know him best.
"Gio is a quiet leader who works extremely hard to achieve his goals," Mason Manta Rays swim coach Kevin Rachal tells us. "He is kind and supportive to all of his teammates."
Cross-country coach Wayne Wheeler agrees.
"He is a giver, kindhearted and wants to help," Wayne states. "Gio has found his sweet spot, identifying a need and serving while running."
For Gio, those traits extend far beyond athletics. They are on full display each Saturday at the shelter, where simple acts of kindness can sometimes change the course of a dog's life.
Through his walks, runs and social media posts, Gio has helped potential adopters learn more about dogs they might otherwise have overlooked. In some cases, families have met a dog immediately after one of Gio's outings and decided to bring them home.
What has surprised him most is not the number of followers Fetching Futures has gained, but the realization that meaningful change does not have to come from grand gestures.
"Impact does not have to be loud. It just has to be consistent," Gio expresses. "I don't have to speak the loudest or have thousands of followers. I know I'm helping my community."
Looking ahead, Gio hopes to expand his efforts by creating resources that help families better understand dog training and pet ownership. For now, he plans to keep doing what he does every Saturday: lacing up his running shoes, grabbing a leash and helping shelter dogs find their futures. Instagram: @FetchingFutures
"Impact does not have to be loud. It just has to be consistent. I don't have to speak the loudest or have thousands of followers. " - Gio Gilpin