To Karen Gambrell, caring for animals is as natural as breathing. The proud owner of Snaggle Foot Birmingham has always counted animal care and rescue as a very important part of her life, and the pets and pet parents of Birmingham are reaping the benefits. A West Virginia native, Gambrell moved to Birmingham in 2000 and earned her degree in Communication Management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2008. Employed in the marketing and print press industries during college but having been passionate about pet care since birth, in 2008 Gambrell decided to pursue her first love and join the ranks of America’s young entrepreneurs. Her college major, chosen out of a love for creativity and interacting with people, would combine with her innate compassion for animals to serve her well.

Growing up on her family’s several acres in West Virginia, Gambrell came upon many stray animals that she would tote home to her basement and set up a home for. With each rescue, she would muster up the courage to enlighten her parents as to their newest pet, who would then get promoted from the basement, frequently to Gambrell’s bedroom.

Along with this spirit of rescue was growing in Gambrell a desire to found her own company. She learned the value of a dollar by scouting out loose change from her older siblings’ bedrooms, and into her piggy bank the coins would go. So when her parents opened a sporting goods store in Gambrell’s eighth year, she was eager to help her mother run it, earning her first paychecks by assisting customers and operating the cash register.

Gambrell’s business life is still a family affair. Her parents, two elder sisters and elder brother provide her and Snaggle Foot with knowledge, a strong support system, and shining examples of both personal and professional success.

Her husband Phillip also shares her compassion for animals. Married in 2004 after years of beloved friendship and sharing a passion for playing sports, the couple share their Irondale home with their yellow Lab, Rascal, black Lab, Ivy, and Chihuahua/Dachshund rescue, Roseeta. She and Phillip also love traveling. When Gambrell is not trekking about her Snaggle Foot territory putting the wag in the tails of her clients, she also enjoys serving as an assistant for a baseball city league team her husband plays on.

Evolving from her current contributions to animal and human charities, Gambrell aspires to also organize charity events. She gives of her time and resources to the needy in Birmingham and around the globe, and helps gather clothes for donation to Glenwood, Inc.--a home to many with America’s growing problem of autism. She has also given several years of her time to Relay for Life and has served as an assistant coach for The Miracle League, which enables mentally or physically handicapped athletes of all ages to enjoy playing baseball.

“It is great to watch the excitement in their face when they play!” she says.

Gambrell’s family nurtured her giving spirit through its own love for animals and teaching her how to care for them. Her parents’ steadfast hospitality and kindness toward others encouraged all four of their children to do what they can to help all living things. “Through their unconditional love and loyalty, pets can teach us how very rewarding it can be to love and care for someone else.”