There’s a photo from my childhood that explains why it’s surprising that I grew up and fell into a career in animal welfare. In the photo, I’m sitting on one end of a couch staring down a cat at the other end. On my face is a look of complete and utter fear of and disdain for the animal. But things have certainly changed.
After graduating from Georgia Tech with a master’s of science in international affairs, I moved to Santiago, Chile, and had grand ideas of working in economic development or humanitarian relief. But when I got there, I was amazed by the number of cats and dogs I saw living on the streets. They appeared to have no owners but seemed to be surviving quite well; they had their own routines, knew exactly where to find regular sources of food, where to sleep on rainy nights, and which humans might show them just a little bit of attention. I was amazed by their resilience in the face of such adversity. Many people treated them as nothing more than worthless, dirty, disease-ridden animals. But I found myself compelled to help them.
My efforts started small. I carried food, water and basic first aid materials in my car in case I came across a dog or cat in need. I volunteered in various capacities for a local grassroots nonprofit and soon became its education chairperson, responsible for directing efforts to spread messages about the value of spaying/neutering, adoption and responsible pet ownership.
Naively thinking these practices were already well accepted in the United States, I was sure my career in animal welfare would be complete upon leaving Chile. Instead, it was just beginning.
When I got back to the states, pure luck and timing afforded me the opportunity to take the position of manager of public relations and outreach at an animal shelter in South Carolina. The organization was small, but our impact was great. When animal lives are at stake, flexibility and the willingness to take on a variety of roles are critical. My position wasn’t just handling communications, promoting our cause on weekly TV and radio spots and hosting black-tie fundraising events. I also built fences for dogs that had spent their lives on chains and counseled pet owners to prevent them from surrendering their pets. The job was emotionally challenging, creatively inspiring and time consuming. But it was the most rewarding thing I have ever done.
Since then, I’ve worked in fundraising and advocacy for the Humane Society of the United States, and again my eyes have been opened to the vast challenges facing animal welfare organizations. I’ve met chimpanzees rescued from research labs and tigers freed from lives in cramped cages at roadside zoos. I would love for our efforts to be so successful that some day jobs like mine aren’t needed. Until then, I’ve found a passion in life that inspires me each and every day.
Lauren Lipsey, MS IA 07, lives in Alexandria, Va.
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