I set up this fundraiser in honor of one of my dearest and longest friends, Laura Ervin Mele, who passed away June 14, 2025. Laura not only loved animals, but she also had a genuinely strong curiosity and appreciation for nature. She pursued work that connected her to those passions, working with animals most of her adult career and eventually with plants. Animal wellfare was a topic she felt strongly about, so this kind of fundraiser felt right. The picture of her is from when she was working as a vet tech, while she also happened to be pregnant with her now 8 year old son.
I chose Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (also referred to as BARCS) because they never turn an animal away. They provide emergency triage for sick, abused, injured, and homeless animals. They aid families that are struggling so that they may keep their beloved pets. They overwhelmingly take in a type of dog that is often looked down upon, mistreated, and misrepresented.
Give what you can, even if it's 5$. Or think about donating to your own local shelters that are doing the good works in your area.
