In Fulshear, making a difference often begins at home—and for Ashlee and Cody Weber, it began with an open heart, a quiet house, and a decision to help when it mattered most.

After the loss of their beloved German Shepherd rescue, Bu, in December 2023, the Webers found themselves missing the joyful chaos that comes with having animals in the home. With Archie, their ten-pound Maltese, still by their side, they felt called to do more. In January 2024, when Fort Bend County Animal Services (FBCAS) urgently needed foster families during a winter freeze, the Webers stepped in—never imagining how deeply it would shape their lives.

Their first foster, Samoa, had been in the shelter for nearly five months. His sweet personality won them over instantly. Determined to keep him from returning to the shelter, Ashlee worked quickly to find him a forever home. Within a week, Samoa was adopted by a family right here in the Fulshear area—an outcome that highlighted just how impactful short-term and weekend fostering can be.

That experience sparked a lasting commitment. The Webers chose to work directly with FBCAS, a lifesaving shelter with a 90%+ save rate, at a time when it was operating at nearly 200% over capacity. Ashlee became deeply involved as a foster, volunteer, foster “failure” (adopter), and a member of the Community Advisory Board (CAB), helping bring enrichment and adoption-focused programs to life for the animals in their care.

One of the greatest challenges they face is the sheer number of animals entering the system compared to those leaving it. Many dogs—loving, intelligent, and well-mannered—remain overlooked for years due to breed stereotypes, color, or simple overcrowding. Even puppies can spend critical months of development growing up in kennels. It’s a reality that weighs heavily, but it’s also what drives the Webers to keep pushing forward.

Their impact in Fulshear has been extraordinary. In a short time, Ashlee has helped place multiple FBCAS dogs into loving homes, coordinated donation drives for food, blankets, and supplies, and recently helped raise more than $2,000 to purchase crates and partner with Fulshear’s Waggin’ Tails to provide training sessions for long-stay dogs entering new homes.

This effort became part of the shelter’s Pilot Pathway Program, designed to help 35 of its longest-residing dogs finally find families. The initiative didn’t stop there. It inspired community-wide involvement—children creating artwork to advocate for the dogs, teachers embracing the cause in local classrooms, and businesses across Fulshear stepping up with wholehearted support.

The momentum culminated in Home for the HOWLidays, a family-friendly community event that brought together shelters, rescues, local businesses, children, and adoptable dogs—all united by a shared mission. By early November, only 12 of the original 35 dogs remained in the program, a powerful testament to what collective compassion can achieve.

Every day, Ashlee and Cody Weber lead by example—not only through their volunteer hours, but through the inspiration they ignite in the next generation. Their efforts are laying a foundation of empathy, education, and action that will continue far beyond any single program or event.

Looking ahead, the Webers are working toward launching a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to easing the transition for adopted dogs by providing crates, resources, and education to new pet owners. Their vision is to support shelters and rescues throughout Fort Bend County, with hopes to eventually expand across Texas and beyond.

Fulshear is fortunate to have neighbors like the Weber family—people who don’t just talk about making a difference, but live it every single day.

Follow Fort Bend County Pets – Fort Bend County Animal Services on social media to stay informed about volunteer opportunities, foster needs, fundraisers, and events. Even liking and sharing posts makes a meaningful impact—and for those able to foster, volunteer, or adopt, the difference you make could change a life forever.