Meet Rachael Benedict

Director and Founder, Journey Home Animal Control

Big heart. Unwavering determination. Helping lost animals find their way home.

For Rachael Benedict, helping animals is more than a passion—it’s a mission. As the founder and director of Journey Home Animal Control, she has dedicated seven years to helping lost, stray, and homeless animals across Walworth County and surrounding communities, bringing compassion, education, and hands-on action to situations that can feel overwhelming for both animals and their owners.

Rachael’s work goes far beyond sharing lost-pet posts. She specializes in lost-animal recovery, trapping, pet reunification, microchipping, and trap-neuter-return (TNR) efforts that help manage community cat populations. She has worked with a cat colony of 123 cats, helped trap a dog that had been missing outdoors for 11 months, and even assisted in recovering a dog that traveled more than 70 miles. Her dedication earned her a Whitewater Hometown Hero Award, but her greatest reward is helping animals get the second chance they deserve.

Through Journey Home Animal Control, Rachael is expanding that impact by educating the community, sharing resources, and training others to help more animals in need. She approaches every situation without judgment, understanding that behind every lost animal is a story—and often a person who needs support just as much as their pet does.

Curious, compassionate, and remarkably determined, Rachael believes in staying open-minded and meeting people where they are. Her guiding philosophy is simple: “Be curious, not judgemental.” That mindset helps her build trust, find solutions, and turn difficult situations into opportunities to make a difference.

Outside of animal welfare, Rachael is a devoted wife and mom to two young children, an avid reader with a collection of more than 500 books, and a creative writer who, when she sparks an interest in something, loves following a good research rabbit hole. Fittingly, she identifies with Hermione Granger: curious, resourceful, and always ready to learn something new. The irony? Despite her work with animals, birds make her nervous, and ticks are definitely not welcome.

Through Journey Home Animal Control, Rachael is creating more than a resource for lost pets. She is building a stronger, more compassionate community where people have the knowledge, support, and confidence to help animals in need. Every successful reunion is a reminder of why she keeps going—and why her work matters so much to Walworth County.