Keeping pets with the people who love them.

I first worked as an intellectual disability support coordinator, helping individuals and families throughout Philadelphia from many different backgrounds and circumstances. In that role, I saw how difficult it could be for families to access basic necessities for themselves—let alone food, supplies, and medical care for the animals they loved.

One family I supported and the cat they loved changed the direction of my life. The cat was extremely thin and clearly needed medical attention, but the household did not have the knowledge or resources to understand the seriousness of the situation or access the necessary care. At the time, I knew very little about ACCT Philly. After someone told me about the shelter, we helped the cat reach ACCT so she could receive care and a new opportunity.

That experience stayed with me. It showed me how closely human hardship and animal welfare are connected—and how much compassionate, accessible support can matter before a family reaches the point of surrender.

Outside of work, I had already begun helping animals throughout my neighborhood. I participated in trap-neuter-return efforts for community cats, responded when neighbors found kittens, helped trap a dumped rabbit who eventually became part of my family, secured loose dogs, and even crawled beneath a porch to rescue newborn kittens. The list continued to grow, and so did my understanding that helping animals was not simply something I enjoyed—it was part of who I was.

When my position became remote during the COVID-19 pandemic, I applied to ACCT Philly as an adoptions counselor. I remained with the shelter for nearly three years and eventually became Senior Adoptions Supervisor. I supervised the adoptions team, helped oversee offsite adoption centers and events, led adoption events at the shelter, supported adopters, and worked with countless animals and families during some of their most difficult and hopeful moments.

Shelter work showed me every side of animal welfare. I saw animals arrive in heartbreaking condition, sometimes barely holding on. I saw animals abandoned and families forced to surrender pets they deeply loved because of housing restrictions, financial hardship, behavioral concerns, or limited access to veterinary care.

I also witnessed extraordinary second chances—dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other animals leaving the shelter with families ready to love them. Watching an animal walk out of the shelter with a new family was one of the most rewarding parts of the work.

Adoption was often only the beginning. Families sometimes returned for behavioral guidance, veterinary resources, food, supplies, or pet-pantry assistance. ACCT Philly worked hard to keep people and their pets together whenever possible, but no single shelter or rescue can meet every need. It truly takes a community.

Every day, people face food insecurity and financial uncertainty—not only for themselves, but for their pets. Many people desperately want to keep their animals but find themselves in situations they never expected. Sometimes a bag of food, a harness, flea and tick preventative, transportation, or help locating affordable veterinary care can be the difference between a pet staying home and entering an already overwhelmed shelter system.

I am currently pursuing a master’s degree to become a therapist, which has deepened my understanding of the emotional and psychological benefits of the human-animal bond. Pets are often the ones who remain beside us through grief, illness, loneliness, uncertainty, and life’s most difficult transitions. They offer loyalty, routine, comfort, and connection without judgment. Helping someone keep a beloved animal is not only an animal-welfare service—it can also protect an important source of emotional support and stability.

Philly Pet Pantry is being built from years of community service, shelter experience, compassion, and the belief that asking for temporary help should never be a source of shame. If we can help one more pet remain safe, cared for, and beside the family who loves them, then we are doing exactly what we set out to do.