Kennel 205 was founded by Sara Yoder, a 26-year-old educator turned animal advocate whose life’s work was forever changed by one dog, and then many more.
Originally from Arizona, Sara moved to California at just 17 years old to attend San Diego State University. While earning her degree, she became deeply involved in leadership and service, serving on the executive board of her sorority, Alpha Phi, where she led philanthropy initiatives rooted in community impact. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Sara stepped into the classroom, primarily teaching in title one schools; a role that sharpened her patience, empathy, and belief in second chances.
That belief would soon extend beyond the classroom.
In 2022, Sara came across a social media post made by a shelter volunteer. This post was advocating for a pit bull who had found himself on the euthanasia list at a high-kill California shelter after being attacked by other dogs in his kennel. Days later, she saw that same dog had been rescued by a California-based rescue organization. For two months, Sara watched the rescue create posts for the pit bull- searching for an adopter. Sara couldn't shake the feeling that she was meant to be with this dog... she reached out & adopted her soul dog, Bowser.
Less than a year later, she welcomed Penny, another shelter dog at risk. Then, the unimaginable happened. Bowser was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma cancer and passed away just four months later. The loss shattered their world.
In the quiet that followed, Penny grieved deeply; and Sara knew healing would require hope. While scrolling social media one evening, she came across a photo of an emaciated, critically ill German Shepherd in Mexico. The next day, without hesitation, Sara got in her car and brought Willie home.
Willie’s recovery was more than physical, it was transformative. Watching him heal ignited a passion that Sara couldn’t ignore. She began fostering through a California-based rescue organization, eventually becoming their foster coordinator, advocating tirelessly for dogs facing impossible odds. Along the way came two foster “failures”: Stewie, a pit bull pulled from the euthanasia list, and Darla, a severely abused one-eyed retired breeding bulldog also moments from euthanasia. Each dog reinforced what Sara already knew, this work was her calling.
While networking & coordinating fosters at her local animal shelter, she met Colby Hartz. What began as a shared rescue mission to save a dog... quickly became a partnership in life. Sara stepped away from the organization she was coordinating for and began independent rescue work. Together, Sara and Colby rescue dogs side by side; united by purpose, compassion, and the belief that love (when paired with action) can change everything. Today, they are in the process of building their own nonprofit animal rescue.
In the midst of this journey, Kennel 205 was born.
Named after her first foster Stewie’s shelter kennel number, Kennel 205 exists to shine a light on the dogs too often overlooked & those labeled “high risk,” “unadoptable,” or “out of time.” The brand is rooted in education, inspiration, and honest conversation about the shelter crisis in California and beyond.
Kennel 205 supports homeless + high risk dogs through inspiring, educating, & starting conversation. Every piece is intentionally designed to spark action. Whether that action inspires fostering, adopting, volunteering, networking, donating, or simply walking through the doors of a local shelter to provide a shelter dog a few minutes of human interaction. Kennel 205 isn’t just a brand; it’s an invitation.
An invitation to care, to show up, to get involved.
At Kennel205 we believe that every dog deserves a chance & every person has the power to make a difference.