Rescue Influencer SimonSits Talks Puppy Bowl, Fostering, and Animal Welfare

Isabel Klee, known as SimonSits on social media, discusses her Puppy Bowl appearance, her work as an animal rescue influencer, and her advocacy for open-intake municipal shelters.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Isabel Klee, better known as the social media influencer SimonSits, talks about her experience appearing in the Puppy Bowl, her career as an animal rescue influencer, and her advocacy for open-intake municipal "kill" shelters over closed-intake "no-kill" shelters. Klee shares how she transitioned to being a full-time creator, the celebrity encounters she's had, and her upcoming book release. She also discusses her approach to educating followers on animal welfare issues like puppy mills and her recent foray into speaking out against the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Why it matters

Klee's story highlights the growing influence of social media animal rescue influencers and their ability to raise awareness about important animal welfare issues. Her advocacy for open-intake municipal shelters challenges common misconceptions and sheds light on the complexities of the animal shelter system. As a prominent voice in the rescue community, Klee's perspectives offer valuable insights into the intersection of animal welfare, social media, and activism.

The details

Klee, who goes by the handle SimonSits on social media, was featured in this year's Puppy Bowl, where her senior foster dog Moonie made a memorable appearance. Klee has built a large following by sharing her experiences fostering and advocating for rescue animals. She discusses how her first "viral" foster dog, Lucchese, sparked her realization of the power of social media in the animal rescue space. Klee explains how she transitioned to being a full-time creator, working with brands like Adopt a Pet while also building her own platform. She shares the surreal experience of having celebrities like Kylie Kelce, Abby Wambach, and Sarah Paulson engage with her content. Klee is also passionate about educating her followers on issues like puppy mills and the differences between "kill" and "no-kill" shelters, aiming to provide facts and science-backed information rather than judgment. Additionally, Klee has recently used her platform to speak out against the Trump administration's immigration policies, tying it to her animal welfare advocacy.

  • Klee's Puppy Bowl appearance was filmed in early 2026.
  • Klee's book is set to be released on April 28, 2026.

The players

Isabel Klee

Also known as SimonSits, Klee is a social media influencer and animal rescue advocate who has built a large following by sharing her experiences fostering and advocating for rescue animals.

Moonie

Klee's senior foster dog who appeared in the Puppy Bowl's senior segment.

Lucchese

One of Klee's early foster dogs who helped her realize the power of social media in the animal rescue space.

Tiki

A foster dog of Klee's who became an international superstar.

Biggs

A poorly bred French Bulldog that Klee fostered, which led her to educate her followers on issues around puppy mills and unethical breeding practices.

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What they’re saying

“He's this tiny little chihuahua: He, like, jumped the fence to run back to me. So the ref had to go run after him, pick him up and put him back onto the field, which I was very flattered by. He was a little troublemaker on the field.”

— Isabel Klee (Variety)

“People who want a dog fast will go to a breeder who will get them a dog fast. But then they're not prepared for the repercussions of said dogs. It's bad. I mean, it's a systematic issue. There needs to be crackdowns on breeders. It's way too easy to be a breeder. There's no criminal offense to it — I could talk about it all day. It's awful.”

— Isabel Klee (Variety)

“It drives me crazy when people are like, 'Well, I don't want to support the ACC, because it's a kill shelter.' I'm like, 'They're killing the dogs because you're not supporting them!' It's a very backwards way of thinking.”

— Isabel Klee (Variety)

What’s next

Klee is planning to do more content and advocacy around the Trump administration's immigration policies and their impact on animal welfare.

The takeaway

Klee's story highlights the growing influence of social media animal rescue influencers and their ability to educate the public on important animal welfare issues. Her advocacy for open-intake municipal shelters challenges common misconceptions and demonstrates the complexities of the animal shelter system, while her willingness to speak out on broader social and political issues shows the intersectionality of her animal welfare work.