My father always told me that if you’re between jobs, you should volunteer and help others. Being of service has been one of the greatest callings and learning experiences in my life. During my time working with Arianna Huffington at Thrive Global, I was reminded of this truth. Arianna often noted in her books how pet companions help us become better people and members of our community.
This past week, I testified at the New York City Council for animal rights, standing alongside hundreds of others from our NYC community. Together, we advocated for low or no-cost veterinary care for all cats and dogs. It’s crucial that we become the voice for animals and rescue groups who tirelessly work to save lives. I hope this is the moment New York a city with golden standards: listens, creates change, and becomes the example of compassion the world needs.
It’s a paradox—New York is the wealthiest city in the world, yet we lack accessible veterinary care for our pets and homeless pets. As an unpaid volunteer, I’ve witnessed heart-wrenching moments in animal rescue, from saving a single dog, to losing a cat/dog’s life in your arms to caring for several kittens. These experiences, though hidden from the public eye, take a deep emotional and physical toll on every rescuer. While finishing/writing this story, another beloved cat was tragically killed by a speeding car next to our home in Brooklyn; because there are over 500,000 cats here in New York that do not have a home. I called my friend Becky at Greenpoint Cats; and they immediately came to help ensure the cat was safely taken to a shelter for proper care to the end. The toll on rescuers who volunteer is real.
Many of us are in a period of transitions in the fall, and so many of us are in transitions with our work and finances: While the SAG and writer strikes//the pandemic will deeply affect most of our careers (it has affected mine as a writer, journalist/tv host) you can find a deeper purpose to your life in volunteer work. For myself, animal rescue—and volunteering out of pocket for the past four years has been the greatest work of my life. My father’s (a Navy veteran) advice to fill my résumé with hours of service has never been more resonant. Buddhism teaches us that if we can alleviate suffering, we must do so. This has been my guiding light and it can be yours too.
First, take care of yourself. Focus on your mental, physical, and emotional stability. Once you’re grounded, extend that care to others. This path of service not only heals your heart but helps your community thrive. If you don’t know your neighbors or local rescue groups, I encourage you to volunteer at your local shelter or connect with rescue organizations. Every day, 7,000 cats and dogs are euthanized in the U.S. My mission is to reduce that number, alleviate suffering, and spread joy through the love of companion pets.
As a journalist, I want to provide information with action. I encourage everyone to donate, foster, or adopt a pet at the shelter or from a NYC rescue group today. Share the love and joy of a pet companion with someone close to you. Volunteering is one of the most profound ways to strengthen our community, promoting both personal and communal wellness. My mentor, Arianna Huffington, always reminded me that pets provide unconditional love and support, which greatly benefits mental health. Multiple studies have shown that having a pet improves overall wellness.
Press Release:
We are proud to share the outcome of the City Council hearing on animal rescue held on Friday, September 13. In this first-ever hearing, hundreds of animal rescuers testified about the burdens they face in a city that offers little to no animal welfare services. Council members raised critical questions about the Department of Health’s oversight of Animal Care Centers (NYCACC) and proposed solutions, including the creation of a dedicated Department of Animal Welfare.
Key Issues Discussed:
- Lack of affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter services
- Legislation to regulate backyard breeders
- Shelter overcrowding
- Rising costs of pet care
- Animal cruelty investigations
- Animal hoarding and the impact of housing instability
Participants & Local Organizations: Please follow each of these NY Local Rescue Groups & share their work:
- Voters for Animal Rights: Allie Taylor
- NYC Cat Rescue Alliance: Jonlyn Freeman
- Flatbush Cats: Will Zweigart
- Bronx Community Cats: Tanya Copeland
- PuppyKittyNYC: Meagan Licari
- Little Wanderers NYC: Courtney Chandel, Lisa Winters
- LaTonya “Sassee” Walker Independent Rescuer
- Vigilante_Vegan Independent Rescuer
- Neighborhood Vet: Dr. Natara Loose
- Flatbush Vet: Dr. LaCheryl Ball
- Muddy Paws: Dr. Matthew Miller
- Heidi Wrangles Cats: Heidi Systo
- Itty Bitty City Kitties: Samantha Knox
- Harlem Animal Rescue: Aimee Johnson & Emily
- Greenpoint Cats:Becky Wisdom
- Ollie’s Place: Tony Poon & Erin Hendry
- Positive Tails: Beth Powers
- Paws of Hope: Giselle
- AMA: Mariya
- Best Friends New York
- Brooklyn Cat Cafe
- & hundreds more community members (if I forgot anyone pls lmk!)
What you Can Do for our Community:
Donate to these organizations above, follow them, share this story, adopt, foster and spay and neuter your pets. In New York, I also ask my colleagues in media to cover stories about animal rescue with more deep empathy and understanding. Before writing, walk in the shoes of the rescuers—many of whom face overwhelming financial (out of personal pocket), emotional/mental and physical challenges. Groups like Voters for Animal Rights and the NYC Cat Rescuer Alliance are tirelessly working to create systemic change as well as each individual who works unseen and unheard in New York as a fellow volunteer; I indeed see and hear their stories and it pains me that the voiceless (cats and dogs) as well and the volunteers are not being seen/heard.
For more information on how you can contribute to this cause, please reach out to Jonlyn Freeman (rescuers@nyccatalliance.com) or Allie Taylor (allie@vfar.org).
Now is the time to come together—let’s not wait. Whether you volunteer, donate, foster, or adopt, every action counts. Help create the awareness we need, and let’s make a real difference in our communities. The change starts with us—today.
Candice Kumai is a 14-time award winning writer, producer, classically trained chef, and journalist. Candice has written seven books, which reached bestseller lists and were translated across the world in 12 languages. Candice is a regular contributor on the TODAY Show & at Condé Nast and is the former Editor-At-Large at Shape and Men’s Journal. Candice has resided in Brooklyn, New York for 11 years. Follow: @CandiceKumai
A BIG thank you to: Chair of the council’s Committee on Health (center): Lynn Schulman, Councilman Justin Brannan, Robert Holden & Council Joanna Ariola also helped to Listen: Lynn and Joanna stayed the entire 8 hours to listen to us. Photo courtesy of Gerardo Romo/NYC Council Media Unit
Six Kittens and their Mom I saved with Little Wanderers NYC in the snow in an abandoned Bronx garage- we got mom spayed, each kitten spayed and neutered/one had special surgery & each got adopted! These are just six of the 500,000 that need your help & awareness.
This picture below//featured image: This is Story – a Little Wanderers Rescue Kitty- he was found seriously injured. He had so many volunteers that were rooting for him. I had to take him to AMC where he passed away in my arms just a few hours before going to work/reporting on television. I will never forget Story, and I keep an imprint of his paws on my nightstand to remind me what true wellness and how precious life can truly be.
