What is an animal welfare journalist?

In short, it means that I am advocating for abused, abandoned and neglected animals, and companion pets, in the best way I know how: Writing. Similarly to when you see the same reporter covering high school basketball or city public works in the Sunday paper, except I write about animal rights.

Is that even a real thing?

Yes!

I cover individual cases, welfare reform laws, shelter news, rescue missions, and so much more.

How did I get here?

I’ve always wanted to be a journalist. I graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a Bachelor’s degree in Magazine Journalism in 2017, but I had no idea what to do next. I hadn’t found my niche yet, and I was starting to think I never would.

I applied to graduate school, hoping I could give myself more time to figure out a plan. This is when things started to come together. I was accepted to Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

For a beat reporting class, we were required to pick a topic and report on it throughout the semester. My professor listed off some of the ideas of the recent past, and the idea of an animal beat was mentioned. It was in that exact moment that I had found what I was looking for since my days of searching in Plattsburgh.

I decided to write about pets and animals within the city of Syracuse and the greater Central New York area. And I was overwhelmed by the network of animal welfare resources - The dozens of rescue groups and shelters that worked together alongside the city’s police department, the creation of an animal abuser registry, the fundraisers and pet-friendly events - I couldn’t believe it.

I was sad to see the reporting class end, because I thought I wouldn’t be able to continue advocating for these animals. But, I was wrong. I developed a podcast and video series, a package on breed specific legislation and a print and digital magazine prototype all dedicated to helping pets and homeless animals.

Following grad school, I had the opportunity to intern with The Humane Society of the United States, writing for two of their magazines. This was an absolutely life-changing experience I won’t soon forget. Quite possibly one of my proudest accomplishments!

Post-COVID, I started my hands-on career with animals as an Adoption Counselor and Animal Care Technician at the Wisconsin Humane Society, and it was one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. Each day, I was responsible for the care of dozens of animals at our shelter. I helped pets find their new forever homes and showed them the love, care and patience they truly deserve while they were in our program.

Now What?

Born and raised in various places in Upstate New York, I now reside in Binghamton, New York. I work for People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PETA, as a Social Media Assistant. My current role combines my educational background with my passion for animal rights and it is an honor to be part of such an integral movement.

I am a former volunteer for Pets For Patriots - an organization that pairs military members with shelter animals up for adoption. I am also a former volunteer for Recycle A Bull Bully Breed Rescue - a Central New York based foster network that rescues pit bulls and other bully breeds in hopes of finding them forever homes.

Aside from writing, I spend most of my time with my dog, Delilah, and my cats, Oliver and Schmidt. They are all sweet, spoiled and sassy!