“Everyone deserves a good home.”
That’s Michelle Neville’s motto for her REMAX business. And it doesn’t stop with people.
Neville, an agent with REMAX Revealty in Columbus, Ohio, has helped nearly 400 rescue puppies find permanent homes over the past decade. She fosters dogs in her house. She advocates for them online. And she leverages her real estate career to make a real difference in their lives.

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Michelle Neville
From a “ruff” start to a happy home
It all began one fateful night when Ohio was facing a brutal winter snowstorm. Neville and her daughter, who shares her mother’s passion for compassion, heard about an animal shelter in the southern part of the state that was experiencing chilly temps from weather-related power outages – and desperately needed foster homes for its dogs.
The duo hopped in the car and drove for hours in treacherous conditions, returning only after their seats were filled with grateful furry passengers. They came home with 22 dogs and puppies, providing a warm place to rest before quickly getting adopted.
That was day one of Neville’s animal rescue journey – and the rest is history.
At any given time, Neville has multiple pups from a local rescue, Stop the Suffering, bunking with her before they find their forever homes. She often takes in pregnant mother dogs who need a safe space to give birth, away from the confines of the shelter. Neville has helped deliver dozens of litters of rescue puppies – and she works tirelessly to help them reach their next chapter.
Neville posts about the dogs on social media, sharing photos to generate adoption interest from her sphere. She also gives her time and resources to Stop the Suffering, where she – along with a network of incredible animal rescuers – screens potential adopters, conducts background checks and attends vet visits.
“I’m known as the puppy lady,” Neville quips. “When people in my area are looking to welcome a dog into their home, they know they can come to me to help make it happen. The best part is that they’re changing the life of a shelter dog in doing so.”

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Dogs and puppies feeling at-home in their foster house.
Where rescue meets real estate
Neville says her two big initiatives – rescuing dogs and selling real estate – have more overlap than she anticipated.
“I’ve seen people adopt their first dog and become pet parents. And I’ve seen people buy a home and become homeowners for the first time. I’m so grateful that I get to play a role in both of these important milestones in people’s lives,” she says.
“It’s simple: I’m going to help you find the dog of your dreams. I’m going to help you find the home of your dreams. And I’m going to help you find the home of your dog’s dreams.”
Neville found an additional way to connect the two worlds. Each time she helps someone buy or sell a home, she donates a portion of her commission to local animal rescue organizations on behalf of her clients. This remarkable initiative has helped Neville’s local business feel truly rooted in the community. It’s also helped grow her business’ client base – and expand her reach for people looking to rescue.
“I never planned on these two things going hand-in-hand – dogs and homes. It all happened organically, and I wouldn’t change a thing,” she adds.
What’s amazing: Neville isn’t alone in her remarkable commitment to charitable initiatives. After all, giving back on a local level is the REMAX way.
All around the world, agents and offices throughout the REMAX network support impactful initiatives unique to the needs of their locale. This is especially highlighted during Global REMAX Week, an annual week of charitable action to support communities on almost every continent, when affiliates raise money for important causes, collect donations for those in need, pack meals to help solve hunger, partake in outdoor clean-up projects, support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and so much more.
Each and every day, REMAX agents like Neville change lives for the better – with passion and purpose.
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