Ever since I can remember, I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the world. As a child I wanted to be a mom ✔️, a musician ✔️, a teacher ✔️ and a veterinarian❌. And while I didn’t fulfill my dream of becoming a vet (I didn’t love science class or blood!), I did find a way to combine my love of helping animals and people as CEO of Bideawee.
But with the state of the world right now, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to lead an animal welfare organization today. With so many pressing global and local issues demanding attention, I’ve asked myself: am I doing everything I can to help the world? Do animal shelters and adoption organizations still have the same impact when people are facing so many other challenges?
The answer is a resounding YES!
Pets and Your Health
At Bideawee, we believe that the human-animal bond, is not just important—it’s life-changing.
Science continues to confirm what pet lovers have always known: animals provide profound emotional, mental, and physical benefits. They help lower stress, lower blood pressure, ease feelings of loneliness, and bring structure to our days. Our dogs help us get in our steps, are always up for a jog in the park, and they get us out of isolation and into the dog park to meet other dog parents. Our cats lower our blood pressure when we cuddle with them and pet them, they keep us laughing at their silly antics and ensure that we are up and out of bed with the sun (or before the sun in many cases) to feed them.
For many, a pet is not just a companion but a source of comfort, love, laughter, and stability, especially during difficult times.
Animal Welfare Organizations Are a Lifeline
It’s important to note that in addition to what many people know about animal shelters, organizations like Bideawee are more than just places where homeless animals find refuge. We also provide critical community resources. Families facing financial hardship may struggle to afford basic pet care and/or pet food. Those experiencing housing insecurity may not know where to turn when faced with a heartbreaking living situation that does not allow for a pet. People need medical care for their animals that is affordable. Schools, nursing homes, and hospitals continue to benefit from pet therapy assistance, and millions of animals continue to find themselves in need of safe, loving homes. And when a beloved pet passes away, people need a comforting place to turn to help them with the forever resting place for their four-legged family member. Animal welfare organizations often provide all this and more.
Animals are for Everyone
As I thought about Bideawee’s role during these turbulent times, another thought occurred to me: animal welfare is one of the few philanthropic causes that lacks any kind of divisiveness. At a time when the world feels so divided, our collective love of animals unifies us; it is something we can all agree on, no matter where we stand on other issues. And yet.. when times are tough, animal welfare is one of the first causes to lose funding – which in our case, equates to the number of animals saved. This isn’t because people don’t care, it’s just that other issues can feel more pressing. But I want to remind everyone that when people feel pinched or scared, organizations like ours feel the effects, and sadly, animals wind up suffering – the very same animals who provide so much love, loyalty and comfort to ALL OF US. So, please remember that in uncertain times, we need our animal companions more than ever, and they need us just as much.
Without animal welfare organizations like Bideawee, these pets—and the people who love them—would have nowhere to turn. That’s why our 122-year-old mission not only remains steadfast through these times but is really more important than ever. If our founder, Flora Kibbe knew that the mission to help pets and the people who love them was as important as any issue plaguing the world through WW1, WW2, The Great Depression and through all of the difficult times we’ve witnessed in the past 122 years, then I too will continue to ensure that Bideawee is here for animals and people, through good times and difficult times, now and forever.
