Last night, Animal Haven shelter celebrated 50 years of life-saving work at Capitale in NYC. Having first been founded by a group of women wanting to save cats, a half of a century later, the once-crazy-cattery has blossomed into a full-fledged operating shelter with the most luxurious and spacious interiors, truly fit for fur-kings and fur-queens patiently awaiting their forever homes. The event was hosted by Jason Biggs (not my friend Kensey’s husband, Jason Biggs, but the actor) and his beautiful wife, Jennie Mollan. Chair Nicky Hilton Rothschild, along with Carolyn Murphy, presented awards and my fellow Friends of Finn committee members, Georgina Bloomberg, Amanda Hearst, Courtney Stroum Meagher, Lauren Grafer Schweibold, Liz Dee, Kensey Biggs, Tripp Callan, Stephen Read, Breanna Schultz and Hilary Sloan were all in attendance.
I have gotten to know the Executive Director, Tiffany Lacey well over the last year. She is a pioneer in the shelter system and has mastered the trade to the most impressive degree. She is also a true saint and will stop at nothing to reach new heights for the animals who need her most. Josie, in the picture above (with her new fur-siblings) was brought to Tiffany and the amazing Animal Haven staff back in October 2016 after my two friends and I found her tied up in a trash bag and left for dead near a dumpster in Soho. In record time, Tiffany had us at Worth Street Veterinary Center where Josie could receive the urgent and intensive care she so desperately needed. After the exam, the Vet was practically in tears, stating that she was probably in that bag for a total of four days and would likely never stand/walk again, if she even made it. She was completely defeated; unable to even lift her head, eat or drink, we literally brought Josie into Animal Haven on a stretcher and with very little hope, prayed for her swift recovery. Emergency fundraising efforts quickly began as she was a part of Animal Haven’s The Recovery Road Fund – a place donors can contribute to individual animals’ recovery process.
Just two days later, I was on a plane to Africa with the original intention of checking-out completely from the world and tapping in spiritually to the vast beauty of the land, wanting nothing to do with real life for the next 10 days. But Josie made that virtually impossible for me. She instantly had my heart and I found myself eager to hear about her daily progress. Animal Haven kept her as comfortable as possible and we all knew a miracle was right around the corner. Miracles are always around the corner at Animal Haven.
I think it was a month to the day that she took her first steps and from there, never looked back. She was quickly adopted into the most perfect family (two Animal Haven board members, to be exact), complete with two other fur babies and a new human baby as of last week! She is living the luxury life in Manhattan, accompanying her dad to work each day and spending weekends upstate in a warm home with a huge yard! This is the dream outcome we can only hope is half as good for all the animals in the world. Josie will forever have our hearts and is a true example of redemption and sweet second chances.
I also adopted my cat, SJ from Animal Haven! Found wondering around Queens, NY lost and hungry, he was brought to AH for a second chance at finding his forever home. I agreed to foster and quickly became what is known as a “foster failure” finding myself unwilling to give him up. He is the light of my life (in addition to my other, Olive) and is the most loving and affectionate feline ever to have been born! In addition, there is a beautiful Pitty named Blue still up for adoption. My friend, Courtney, in the photo below received a tip from someone about a beautiful pit bull tied up in a mechanics garage in Brooklyn. The next thing I knew, I was in a car- during one of the coldest weekends on record- on my way from picking him up, crossing all my fingers and toes that Tiffany would have the space to welcome him in. After a quick foster stint at another friend’s home over the weekend, Tiffany made space and Blue found a place at AH.
This is grassroots activism. Doing what you can however, wherever and whenever possible. Believing that each of us is put in a unique place with opportunities for magic and to make a difference. If you feel the nudge, embrace those opportunities, influence those around you, and you never know what may happen!
My hope is that people will see the true value in adopting an animal in need versus purchasing from a pet store (see HSUS facts on puppy mills). Animal Haven is the perfect place to consider! It was so much fun celebrating them on Wednesday and I’m excited to see what the next 50 years looks like! For more information on adoptable animals (including Blue!) and how you can support Animal Haven’s mission please visit AnimalHavenShelter.org.
grassroots influencer 